Great review, John. I really like your discussion of finding the balance between cautious archaeology and vivid literary sources. I like drier archaeology texts so didn't mind Price's style. Great excerpt on latrines! Thankfully I have not had the pleasure of excavating at a site with one.
As the go-to anthropology person, you're sort of obligated to like the digging up bits. :) And thank you! If you have any more Viking recommendations, feel free to pass them along!
This was really interesting to listen to --- thank you! I've been interested in the Vikings a long time after having taken a college course about 15 years ago. I'll look for this book.
Thank you for the kind words! The review I posted right after this one is another Viking book which covers a lot of the same material, but in a way I found a little more entertaining. Feel free to check that one out, too.
Good point about the Norse pantheon the inaccuracies due to scholars not of that time period or society. I do like the idea of a balance between archeology and literature. Great review!
I hope I didn't sound too critical. Even given everything I said, I'd still definitely read it again. Definitely not what I'd call boring - especially with such wonderful reading company. It was my first foray into Viking stuff, so it was a special place for me. Thanks for the lovely reading experience, as always.
I admittedly dropped this after about 150 pages (will come back to it). Moreso because I became pretty busy in Q2 but also because yes, I also found it dry. I did enjoy reading on the Volcano Ash and how that might have influenced their mythology. Nice review!
Definitely go back to it and finish it off when you get the chance. It's not a bad book by any means. I gave it 4/5 on Goodreads, if that holds any salt with you. Maybe I'm getting too spoiled with all the other truly good books I've been reading recently.
I have _The Viking Heart_ by Arthur Herman and long meant to read it. Ever heard of it? I wonder how it would compare. I keep getting pulled in other directions.
Yeah, he wrote "How the Scots Invented the Modern World". I try my best to avoid writers who silly, let overblown titles like that become attached to their books. He also seems to subscribe to some particularly bizarre, outmoded ideas about history that make my crazy radar repeatedly ping.
I read this Neil Price book in April. I quite enjoyed it, but thought it somewhat repetitive, and not particularly well organised, in short good, but not great. I do think the Vikings lack of real records makes them difficult to write a history, archaeology helps, but it is sometimes hard to interpret. How often have you heard archaeologists state that "oh, it must be a ritual object". On the who I agree with John, it as enjoyabe, but next year I want a better book on Vikings, if such a thing exists. Vin seems to have read a lot in the field. I'll have another look at his videos before spring, unless you hae any ideas, John?
Keep your eyes peeled for Thursday afternoon (your time). I'm releasing another review of a Viking book I liked a bit more. A lot of similar information, and told in a more engaging way. (And it's half the length of this one.) Outside of those two, I don't know, because they're the only two books I've ever read on the subject.
You call latrine archaeology “dry”? 😅 Just kidding. I personally didn’t find the book dry but it depends on what one is looking for. I loved the social history and insight into paganism at the beginning, especially. But I do think this and Winroth’s book complement each other well.
Oh, great. The word "moist" is now associated with latrines in my head and I have you to thank for it. Thanks, Vin. Exactly what I needed to round off a wonderful weekend. 😆
Great review, John. I really like your discussion of finding the balance between cautious archaeology and vivid literary sources. I like drier archaeology texts so didn't mind Price's style. Great excerpt on latrines! Thankfully I have not had the pleasure of excavating at a site with one.
As the go-to anthropology person, you're sort of obligated to like the digging up bits. :) And thank you! If you have any more Viking recommendations, feel free to pass them along!
Will you go away if we give you some money is the best description of the Danegeld I've heard haha. Great review John! Looking forward to the next one
Up next: more Vikings. Thanks, Justin.
This was really interesting to listen to --- thank you! I've been interested in the Vikings a long time after having taken a college course about 15 years ago. I'll look for this book.
Thank you for the kind words! The review I posted right after this one is another Viking book which covers a lot of the same material, but in a way I found a little more entertaining. Feel free to check that one out, too.
Good point about the Norse pantheon the inaccuracies due to scholars not of that time period or society. I do like the idea of a balance between archeology and literature. Great review!
Great review. I really enjoyed this when we read it. I don’t think it was too dry but then I like books by archaeologists 😊
I hope I didn't sound too critical. Even given everything I said, I'd still definitely read it again. Definitely not what I'd call boring - especially with such wonderful reading company. It was my first foray into Viking stuff, so it was a special place for me. Thanks for the lovely reading experience, as always.
I admittedly dropped this after about 150 pages (will come back to it). Moreso because I became pretty busy in Q2 but also because yes, I also found it dry. I did enjoy reading on the Volcano Ash and how that might have influenced their mythology. Nice review!
Definitely go back to it and finish it off when you get the chance. It's not a bad book by any means. I gave it 4/5 on Goodreads, if that holds any salt with you. Maybe I'm getting too spoiled with all the other truly good books I've been reading recently.
I can't believe I haven't read this book, must track it down, thanks for the prod & very engaging review.
Both books sound interesting, and appreciate your take on them!
Thanks so much!
WOW. What a coincidence ... I picked this book from our library this week..
It's one of the 8-10 most common books I see floating around about the Vikings. I'd love to hear what you think when if you get around to it.
I have _The Viking Heart_ by Arthur Herman and long meant to read it. Ever heard of it? I wonder how it would compare.
I keep getting pulled in other directions.
Yeah, he wrote "How the Scots Invented the Modern World". I try my best to avoid writers who silly, let overblown titles like that become attached to their books. He also seems to subscribe to some particularly bizarre, outmoded ideas about history that make my crazy radar repeatedly ping.
@@NicholasOfAutrecourt Ah, good to know.
I read this Neil Price book in April. I quite enjoyed it, but thought it somewhat repetitive, and not
particularly well organised, in short good, but not great. I do think the Vikings lack of real records makes them difficult to write a history, archaeology helps, but it is sometimes hard to interpret. How often have you heard archaeologists state that "oh, it must be a ritual object". On the who I agree with John, it as enjoyabe, but next year I want a better book on Vikings, if such a thing exists. Vin seems to have read a lot in the field. I'll have another look at his videos before spring, unless you hae any ideas, John?
Keep your eyes peeled for Thursday afternoon (your time). I'm releasing another review of a Viking book I liked a bit more. A lot of similar information, and told in a more engaging way. (And it's half the length of this one.) Outside of those two, I don't know, because they're the only two books I've ever read on the subject.
@@NicholasOfAutrecourt that's great John. I'm home Thursday afternoon, so I'll keep an eye out. Thanks. Have a good week.
I've heard about archaeologists hating midden digs, I had no idea it was that bad. Ick!
As soon as I encountered the word "bouquet," I knew I'd had enough Vikings for the day, or maybe the week.
You call latrine archaeology “dry”? 😅 Just kidding. I personally didn’t find the book dry but it depends on what one is looking for. I loved the social history and insight into paganism at the beginning, especially. But I do think this and Winroth’s book complement each other well.
Oh, great. The word "moist" is now associated with latrines in my head and I have you to thank for it. Thanks, Vin. Exactly what I needed to round off a wonderful weekend. 😆