I purchased this book in Waterstones as I have always loved learning about the Vikings and I had heard great things about this new book. 

It wasn’t what I expected it to be but in the best possible way. I personally expected a general history about the Vikings with a sprinkling of the latest archaeology discoveries to satisfy the claim of being a “new history”. However, IT WAS SO MUCH MORE THAN THIS. 

The premise of the book follows the author’s adventure into personally researching the Vikings and follows the discovery of a small bead with Indian origins in a mass grave in the middle of Derbyshire. This is a referred to throughout the entire book and poses a lovely adventure of learning which makes you feel truly connected to the author. 

There was also lots of new information to me in the book and it has really opened my eyes to more about the Vikings. I definitely recommend it to experts and complete Viking novices.