The Vikings and Their Enemies

Warfare in Northern Europe, 750-1100

By: Philip Line

Narrated by: Robert Fass

Length: 13 hrs and 3 mins

Publisher's summary

A fresh account of some of history's greatest warriors. The Vikings had an extraordinary and far-reaching historical impact. From the eighth to the 11th centuries, they ranged across Europe - raiding, exploring, and colonizing - and their presence was felt as far away as Russia and Byzantium. They are most famous as warriors, yet perhaps their talent for warfare is too little understood.

Philip Line, in this scholarly and highly interesting study of the Viking age, uses original documentary sources - the chronicles, sagas, and poetry - and the latest archaeological evidence to describe how the Vikings and their enemies in northern Europe organized for war. His graphic examination gives an up-to-date interpretation of the Vikings' approach to violence and their fighting methods that will be fascinating listening for anyone who is keen to understand how they operated and achieved so much in medieval Europe. He explores the practicalities of waging war in the Viking age, including compelling accounts of the nature of campaigns and raids and detailed accounts of Viking-age battles on land and sea, using all the available evidence to give an insight into the experience of combat. Throughout this fascinating book, Philip Line seeks to dispel common myths about the Vikings and misconceptions about their approach to warfare.

Download the accompanying reference guide.

©2014 Philip Line; First Skyhorse Publishing edition 2015 (P)2015 Audible, Inc.

misleading regarding Vikings

if you are looking for Viking information this book has far too many influences in other information which if burning for Vikings you will be overwhelmed with numbers.

Interesting but not captivating

Lots of interesting detail on the Vikings in their enemies as the title implies, but lots of details, not much storyline to put it all together. Material is well presenter and somewhat fascinating in it's detail, however.

Excellent work.

This was very well written and I enjoyed the complexity of the history. This really helped me learn a little bit more and is only going to further my interest in vikings and the past.

Okay information, but misleading title

This book focuses on large-scale actions related to the Vikings. It's pretty academic, and spends a lot of time conveying lists of information that might be useful for citation, but are uninteresting in a narrative. At the end, I asked, "What did this matter? Why was it written?" I'm not sure.

I didn't notice any huge errors or problems. There's just not much there, as near as I can find, despite the length.

good but very deep into the culture.

It is very much a text book so be prepared. the financing and billeting of armies and the government support structures gets more than a little dry. For good reason though. This is a deep dive on just how much we thought we knew but really didn't about warfare in the middle ages. Especially the Vikings. I will definitely have to listen to this again.

Rough ride

This is a tough listen, even for someone interested in the topic. The narration is monotone and text tends to lack transitions and text relating material to its theses. The author likes dry, extended descriptions of archeological and historical research practices. In the end, despite its lengthy text, we know precious little about this age. Pretty much everything is a wild guess and a modernized imagination. The author does make his inferences explicit and I consider his work disciplined and circumspect. But ultimately this book is better titled “We really have no idea about the Vikings and their enemies.”

An insight into those who fought

I love this book. I deeply appreciate that this is not just a list of names, dates and places but the author tries and does a good job of painting what life in Viking Era Europe was like for everybody. The ins and outs of customs, tactics weapons, governments and society are all covered; clearly showing why the Viking we able to win sometimes and loose others.

Interesting but somewhat academic…

….the author writes as if in contemplation of defending a dissertation. If you like analytical “just-the-facts (or lack thereof) then this book will well meet all expectations…but if you like a little bit more literary elan (as I do) then you will be thankful for the option of increased speed…in my case s 1.7.

Great Learning Experience

this book gave a different viewpoint of the Vikings. Telling the reader the history, the interactions the thought processes and details of how the Vikings LED their lives and particularly battled other medieval forces.

Real reference material.

Dense and a bit dry, but that’s what I was looking for. I learned a lot.