Children of Ash And Elm by Neil Price

A concise history of an ancient misunderstood people who migrated all over Northern Europe setting up trade as far east as Asia, as far west as North America and as far south as the tip of Spain. Both seafaring and farmers, the Vikings are often dipicted as savage and brutal barbarians but this book shows that their craftsmanship, boatbuilding and other innovations were shared with other cultures. While some of what we know from tv and other books did leave me with a violent first impression of my ancient relatives, Neil Price helps us understand the intricacies of their religion, government and exploration that made for interesting reading and gave me a new perspective of this amazing culture.