Vikings: Culture of Discovery and Plunder is a very thoughtful and curated collection of illustrations, photos, and renderings of Viking culture, which dominated much of Northern Europe and the North Atlantic in the 8th, 9th, and 10th Centuries. Osprey Publishing’s collaborative work (there’s no lead author and several artists contributed to the artwork within the book) highlights the armor, war material, transportation, and wardrobe of these hardy Norse warriors.
For this book, I reviewed a digital copy but could only imagine how much more vivid the hardcover would have been. The artwork within the book was stunning, creative, and realistic. The photography was very detailed. While the text of the book is slim with a collection of essays by Gareth Williams, Noah Tentzner, and others, the text, art, and photography all blend together very seamlessly.
Those interested in the study of the Vikings (not the football team, mind you) and pre-Norman English history would enjoy this book.
MY RATING: 4.5
