Laughing Shall I Die

Name: Laughing Shall I Die
Brand: NewSouth Books
SKU: 9781789142174
Price: 34.99 NZD
Availability: InStock

Lives and Deaths of the Great Vikings

By Tom Shippey

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3.99

( 277 ratings, 51 reviews)

Summary

Laughing Shall I Die by Tom Shippey explores the Viking Age through both historical research and literary analysis. It delves into the cultural mindset of the Vikings, particularly their legendary fearlessness and fatalism, as portrayed in sagas and poetry. The book offers a captivating synthesis of their enduring influence and the fierce ethos that characterised Viking society.
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Format: Paperback / softback

$34⁹⁹

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Laughing Shall I Die

$34⁹⁹

Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

You might enjoy this book if you're fascinated by Viking history and enjoy a scholarly yet engaging analysis of how their cultural love for risk-taking and dark humour influenced their society. Tom Shippey offers a vivid exploration of the Viking mindset, blending historical insight with narratives that appeal to anyone interested in the more personal and psychological aspects of history.

Laughing Shall I Die presents them for what they were: not peaceful explorers and traders, but bloodthirsty warriors and marauders.

Description

In this robust new account of the Vikings, Tom Shippey explores their mindset, and in particular, their fascination with scenes of heroic death. The book recounts many of the great bravura scenes of Old Norse literature, including the Fall of the House of the Skjoldungs, the clash between the two great longships Ironbeard and Long Serpent, and the death of Thormod the skald.

The most exciting book on Vikings for a generation, Laughing Shall I Die presents them for what they were: not peaceful explorers and traders, but bloodthirsty warriors and marauders.

'Spirited, engaging, and frequently very funny...an unmissable read for anyone interested in the Vikings.' - BBC History Magazine

'A fast-paced, exhilarating account of the psychology of the marauding Vikings.' - Wall Street Journal

'A mind-expanding appraisal and retelling of Viking history.' - Michael Dirda, Washington Post

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Tom Shippey's Laughing Shall I Die offers a lively and engaging examination of Viking history, blending humour with scholarly insight. Critics highlight the book's entertaining retelling of Viking stories, coupled with an exploration of their mindset and legendary exploits. Shippey is praised for his ability to challenge traditional perceptions while presenting the Vikings' unique worldview, resulting in an informative and captivating read.

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781789142174

Publisher: Reaktion Books

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 14 September 2020

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Reaktion Books

Illustration: 5 illustrations

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Width: 156.0mm

Height: 234.0mm

Weight: 250g

Pages: 368

Collections

European History History & Archaeology History & Military Non-Fiction Tom Shippey

About the Author

Tom Shippey is Professor Emeritus of Saint Louis University, Missouri. His books include J.R.R. Tolkien: Author of the Century (2001), The Road to Middle Earth (4th revd edn, 2004), and Hard Reading: Learning from Science Fiction (2016).