190,000+ Books, Games & Puzzles in-stock 🇳🇿 

Overnight NZ-wide delivery | 📍 Visit our Auckland bookstore • Open 7 days, 8:30am–5pm

Vikings

3.83 goodreads logo

Ratings/reviews counts are updated frequently.

Check link for latest rating.
( 1,670 ratings, 199 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
Vikings by Neil Oliver is a compelling exploration of the Viking Age, detailing their seafaring adventures, raids, and the extensive influence they had across Europe. The book delves into their culture, daily life, and the legacy they left behind. Neil Oliver brings history to life with vivid storytelling and expert insights.
Read More
Format: Paperback / softback
Save 20% Off
Savings are calculated from our regular price of $29.99 compared to the current price of $24.00.
$2400
Usually:
$2999
On Sale
in Clearout Sale until 10 Nov or while stocks last
OVERNIGHT NZ-WIDE DELIVERY

Found a better price? Request a price match

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 like this book if you are fascinated by Viking history and culture. It offers a captivating journey through their world, exploring their adventures, beliefs, and impact on history with vivid storytelling and insightful analysis.

Book Hero thinking about your next read

Neil Oliver goes beyond their bloody reputation to search for the truth about the Vikings - from Newfoundland to Moscow, Iceland to Istanbul.

Neil Oliver goes beyond their bloody reputation to search for the truth about the Vikings - from Newfoundland to Moscow, Iceland to Istanbul.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description
Vikings by Neil Oliver delves into the exhilarating and tumultuous history of the Norse warriors who have long fascinated and terrified the world. These seafaring marauders are famously remembered for their fearsome raids, unyielding spirit in battle, and ruthless retribution. However, their prowess in warfare is merely a fraction of their vast and complex story.

From their origins in the Scandinavian lands to their expansive voyages reaching as far west as North America and east to Baghdad, the Vikings carved out an empire that extended across nearly a quarter of the globe. Despite their influence and reach, the Vikings did not leave behind written records of their conquests and daily lives. To uncover their history, we rely on archaeological findings and historical interpretation.

Neil Oliver, armed with the latest discoveries and insights, takes readers on an intricate journey to unravel the true story of the Vikings. He investigates their emergence from the bleak, dangerous lands of the north, examines their daily lives, societal structures, and the pivotal factors that drove them to embark on remarkable voyages of conquest and discovery over a millennium ago.

In Vikings, readers are invited to follow Oliver as he addresses questions such as: What motivated the Vikings to leave their homelands? How did they navigate the treacherous seas and what advanced knowledge enabled their far-reaching expeditions? The book sheds light on their settlements, trade routes, beliefs, and the sophisticated craftsmanship that marked their era.

Neil Oliver masterfully blends historical narrative with archaeological evidence to paint a vivid picture of the Viking Age. He brings to life tales of exploration, brutality, resilience, and innovation. This book is essential reading for anyone seeking to understand not only the Viking way of life but also their enduring impact on world history.

This epic chronicle of one of the world's great empires of conquest offers an immersive experience and an extraordinary story that is sure to captivate historians and history enthusiasts alike.

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?

Vikings by Neil Oliver is praised for being an engaging and enjoyable exploration of the Viking era, highlighting their dominance of the North Sea and their far-reaching travels. The author's likeable style and focus on the historical context and archaeological evidence receive positive remarks. Reviewers note that the book mirrors Oliver's TV series, offering informative content and vivid descriptions of landscapes and seascapes.

Book Hero reading reviews

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781780222820

Publisher: Orion Publishing Co

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 05 September 2013

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Weidenfeld & Nicolson

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 32.0mm

Width: 128.0mm

Height: 196.0mm

Weight: 340g

Pages: 400

About the Author

Neil Oliver is a Scottish archaeologist, historian, broadcaster and writer. He is perhaps best known as the charismatic presenter of the award-winning documentary series COAST, as well his two critically acclaimed landmark BBC history series, A HISTORY OF SCOTLAND and A HISTORY OF ANCIENT BRITAIN. He lives in Stirling with his wife and three children.

Also by Neil Oliver

View all
  • A History Of Scotland
    Scotland, a land imbued with deep historical roots and breathtaking landscapes, is explored in meticulous detail in A History Of Scotland by Neil Oliver. This engrossing historical account offers readers an opportunity to journey through the centuries, uncovering the events and characters that have forged the essence of modern Scotland. Neil Oliver masterfully charts the path from ancient times through...
    Paperback
    $2999
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • The Story of the World in 100 Moments
    Massmarket edition of the hardback bestseller - In The Story of the World in 100 Moments, Oliver presents a remarkable journey through time, curating one hundred moments that shaped our world, from 5000 BC to the present. 'Oliver is an evocative storyteller, vividly bringing his tales to life' BBC History From Genghis Khan's domination on earth to Armstrong's first steps...
    Paperback
    $2700
    Elsewhere:
    $3000
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • A History of Ancient Britain
    Who were the first Britons, and what sort of world did they occupy? In A History of Ancient Britain, Neil Oliver turns a spotlight on the very beginnings of the story of Britain; on the first people to occupy these islands and their battle for survival. There has been human habitation in Britain, regularly interrupted by Ice Ages, for the...
    Paperback
    $2999
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • Hauntings
    Oliver travels the British Isles to explore the history of its most haunted places and unpick why these houses, landmarks, and other eerie places are so unsettling. For longer than recorded history, there have been tales of spirits and of places where our hackles rise and our skin turns cold. Bestselling historian Neil Oliver embarks on a deliciously spine-chilling tour...
    Paperback
    $3000
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • Hauntings
    Hauntings by Neil Oliver takes readers on a captivating journey through the British Isles, exploring the history of its most haunted places. Oliver seeks to unpick why these houses, landmarks, and other eerie places have such an unsettling effect on us. For longer than recorded history, there have been tales of spirits and locations where our hackles rise and our...
    Hardback
    Sold Out
  • The Story of the British Isles in 100 Places
    Delve into the soul of the British Isles through the insightful and evocative pages of The Story of the British Isles in 100 Places by Neil Oliver. This masterfully crafted narrative walks readers through the vibrant history and rich tapestry of this remarkable archipelago, one location at a time. From the haunting beauty of windswept headlands to the quiet reverence...
    Paperback
    Sold Out

Browse lists from our team

More from History & Military

View all
  • Behind Enemy Lines
    New Release
    Behind Enemy Lines
    Archie Gibson's initiation into desert warfare almost proved to be his last. Barrelling through the sand dunes at the wheel of his truck, Gibson spied a searing flash of light up ahead, the signature of a feared German 88mm gun firing ... right at him. He leapt from his speeding vehicle just before it was torn apart and turned into...
    Paperback
    $3299
    Elsewhere:
    $3999
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • New Release
    The Cauldron
    How did an elderly cleric overthrow the Shah of Iran and change the world?Why did Bin Laden attack the USA - and why did the USA destroy Saddam?How did Britain and France carve up the Middle East - and why did the Kurds never get their own state? THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE TO THE MAKING OF TODAY'S MIDDLE EAST: A SPELLBINDING...
    Hardback
    $4999
    Elsewhere:
    $6000
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • Saving Elli
    One child. Two years in hiding. Three lives in mortal danger. In Nazi-occupied Amsterdam, near Anne Frank's house, another Jewish girl is hidden. Her name is Elli. Her father has been executed at Mauthausen concentration camp. Her mother is fleeing for her life. Elli is next. To save her, resistance couple Frits and Jo Hakkens must risk everything, concealing her...
    Paperback
    $3299
    Elsewhere:
    $3799
    (1)
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • Suicidal Empathy
    The bestselling author of The Parasitic Mind shows why empathy in politics leads to civilizational collapse. What happens when a society elevates victimhood to a virtue and decides that punishment is cruel? You get the disease Dr. Gad Saad calls suicidal empathy. And the West may be terminally infected. In his new book, Suicidal Empathy, Saad unleashes a blistering critique...
    Paperback
    $3099
    Elsewhere:
    $3799
    (1)
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • New Release
    The Race to the Top of the World
    The epic true story of George Mallory and Edmund Hillary and the quest to be the first to conquer Everest. A captivating story of adventure, daring, despair and triumph from Australia's favourite storyteller. Last century, two men, thirty years apart, set out to become the first to conquer the highest point in the world. Their names are synonymous with adventure...
    Hardback
    $4699
    Elsewhere:
    $6000
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • Man's Search For Meaning
    Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor E. Frankl is a profound, thought-provoking memoir and psychological exploration that delves into the harrowing experiences of life in Nazi concentration camps, intertwined with the author’s groundbreaking theories on existential psychology. The book is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit, offering a beacon of hope and a roadmap for finding purpose...
    Paperback
    $1800
    Elsewhere:
    $2100
    (1)
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • The Wager
    THE SUNDAY TIMES TOP TEN BESTSELLER LONGLISTED FOR THE 2023 BAILLIE GIFFORD PRIZE FOR NON-FICTION 'The beauty of The Wager unfurls like a great sail... one of the finest nonfiction books I've ever read' Guardian 'The greatest sea story ever told' Spectator 'I cannot think of anyone who would not love this book... It is an extraordinary true story, beautifully...
    Paperback
    $2399
    Elsewhere:
    $3999
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • The Chief and the Empire
    The Chief and the Empire uncovers the extraordinary true tale of Te Tai Tokerau rangatira Te Pahi - the first influential Māori leader to cross the Tasman - whose curiosity about the Pākehā world forged alliances, saved lives, and ultimately cost him his own. On a visit to Sydney in 1805, Te Pahi was feted as a celebrity, building close...
    Paperback
    $3200
    Elsewhere:
    $3999
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • Discipline
    Silence is complicity, but how do we confront the cost of speaking up? Sydney, May 2021. Ashraf is an academic whose career and personal life are in freefall. Hannah is a young journalist struggling to honour the voices of her community. When a Year 12 Al-Bayinnah College student is arrested for protesting a university's ties to an Israeli weapons manufacturer,...
    Paperback
    $4000
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • The Golden Menhir
    Assurancetourix is entering the legendary Gallic bards' competition to win the golden menhir. But with the Romans keeping a close watch, Asterix and Obelix must protect him at all costs. Their mission? Keep him safe-no matter what... even if it means risking their own ears! First released as a book-disc in 1967, this adventure soon became a rare treasure, long...
    Hardback
    $2999
    Elsewhere:
    $3499
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • Mum, I Want to Hear Your Story (Deluxe Edition)
    New Release
    Mum, I Want to Hear Your Story (Deluxe Edition)
    Give Your Mum a Beautiful Gift of Legacy, Love, and Lasting Memories The Official Hear Your Story Collection Mum, I Want to Hear Your Story is your key to discovering everything from your mother's childhood memories to the profound turning points in her life. Each intentional section gives your mum a place to share her life with you while creating...
    Hardback
    $4999
    Elsewhere:
    $5500
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • Plunder
    New Release
    Plunder
    The last weeks of World War II on the Western Front in Europe witnessed extraordinary scenes of heroism, horror, melodrama, and pathos. In Plunder, Max Hastings presents a cast of fascinating people—British, American, and German—in a series of great events in which some distinguished themselves through wonderful deeds, others through the basest crimes. The book takes its title from Montgomery’s...
    Paperback
    $3699
    Elsewhere:
    $4500
    In Stock
    Ships today

Why buy from us?

Book Hero is not a chain store or big box retailer. We're an independent 100% NZ-owned business on a mission to help more Kiwis rediscover a love of books and reading!

Service & Delivery

Service & Delivery

Our warehouse in Auckland holds over 190,000 books, toys, board games and puzzles in-stock so you're not waiting for your order to arrive from overseas.

Auckland Bookstore

Auckland Bookstore

We're primarily an online store, but for your convenience you can pick up your order for free from our bookstore, which is right next door to our warehouse in Hobsonville.

Our Gifting Service

Our Gifting Service

Books make wonderful thoughtful gifts and we're here to help with gift-wrapping and cards. We can even send your gift directly to your loved one.