Status
Available
Call number
Genres
Collection
Publication
University of Texas Press (1989), Edition: First Paperback Edition, 116 pages
Description
Unique among the Icelandic sagas, part-history, part-fiction, the Saga of the Jomsvikings tells of a legendary band of vikings, originally Danish, who established an island fortress of the Baltic coast, launched and ultimately lost their heroic attack on the pagan ruler of Norway in the late tenth century. The saga's account of their stringent warrior code, fatalistic adherence to their own reckless vows and declarations of extreme courage as they face execution articulates a remarkable account of what it meant to be a viking. This translation presents the longest and earliest text of the saga, never before published in English, with a full literary and historical introduction to this remarkable work.
User reviews
LibraryThing member DinadansFriend
The story, perhaps historical ,about the rise of Swein Forkbeard, and the Earl Haakon of Lade. There's some tough guy humour, as well. This saga was written about 1200 CE.
LibraryThing member jamestomasino
This was a wonderful accessible translation. It could benefit from a diagram of family lines since 80% of the men named in the saga are called Harold. That's a bit confusing but Hollander did a great job keeping things clear.
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
1955
Physical description
116 p.; 5.25 inches
ISBN
0292776233 / 9780292776234
Local notes
DKR
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