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Full 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.
Contents
Maps
Preface
Introduction
Part I: Dying Hard
1 The Viking Mindset: Three Case Studies
2 Hygelac and Hrolf: False Dawn for the Vikings
3 Volsungs and Nibelungs: Avenging Female Furies
4 Ragnar and the Ragnarssons: Snakebite and Success
5 Egil the Ugly and King Blood-axe: Poetry and the Psychopath
Part II: Moving to the Bigger Picture
6 Weaving the Web of War: The Road to Clontarf
7 Two Big Winners: The Road to Normandy
8 Furs and Slaves, Wealth and Death: The Road to Miklagard
Part III: The Tale in the North
9 The Jarls and the Jomsvikings: A Study in Drengskapr
10 A Tale of Two Olafs; or, The Tales People Tell
11 A Tale of Two Haralds: Viking Endgame
12 Viking Aftermath: The Nine Grins of Skarphedin Njalsson
Appendix A: On Poetry: Types, Texts, Translations
Appendix B: On Sagas: Types, Texts, Translations
Appendix C: Snorri Sturluson
References
Bibliography
Acknowledgements
Index