Children of Ash and Elm is a wonderful exploration of a stereotyped and misunderstood peoples. They were not just aggressive conquerers, but a diverse, dynamic, and adaptable people who explored large parts of the world.
Not only is this a history of the Vikings, it is also a cultural history of Scandinavia. It explores the politics, religion, myths, life ways and shared beliefs of these amazing people. (As a side note, it also talks about gender roles and equality.)
Overall, a brilliantly executed book on a fascinating subject.

Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for the ARC! What a great read. Can't wait to read more by this author.

History of the Vikings in full. Their myths, religion, material world, politics, way of thinking, correlation between gender, which was very equal for the time.
Vikings are very much known as aggresive marital conquerors but actually they were also great explorers and in the process they adapted to new circumstances and changed themselves.

The book is very interesting and has interdisciplinary approach, I loved it.

Rather than a history of Vikings as I knew them, this was more a cultural introductory study of Scandinavians with many new insights into a frequently misunderstood people. I would definitely recommend this as a good introduction as it will surely lead to an increased interest. Thank you to the publishers for providing me with this drc and I look forward to its release.

Absolutely loved this take on history and culture. It was un-put-downable! A must read for Vikings fans!

Really good history book, written with a sense that the past not only defines civilization but we can always find things to learn from it.High recommended for history buffs and general audience.

I never knew the Vikings were so diverse and time enduring. From the early conquests to the later times of the Rus and the Byzantine empire they were raiding and plundering. They were also populating areas that were abandoned or too hard for the locals to do so. Vikings were hardy people , and their legacy endures today.
I especially enjoyed the Norse Myths and their influences and comparissons with the Viking conquests. The whole religious background of the Viking Age was well explained and thought out. I learned more than a few things about the Norse Gods by reading this. One thing I didnt see explained was the inclusion of Denmark in the tales. I know Denmark was a major player in the Viking sagas but the maps of the Viking age dont show it. Also the comparison of the Nazi use of Viking themes in their propaganda was discussed. Using the Viking warrior as an example for them to recruit men for their conquering of Europe and fight against Communism. Really after reading this title I had a better understanding of what motivated the Vikings . Reading was easy and it felt as though the author was explaining a tale by the fire to his friends. For anyone interested in Norse Gods or Viking history you cant go wrong reading this title.

Children of Ash and Elm is a wonderful book about Viking history. Viking history is one of the misunderstood and understudied history. We were taught that Vikings were first people to sail and they were violent. But they are more than that.. this book explores the definitive history of vikings, their religious belief, their way of living and the advances in their civilisation. Glad i got a chance to read throughout rich history of Vikings. The author has done a good job in contemplating evidences in this well researched book.
Thank you NetGalley, Neil Price and publisher for the ARC. This review is my own and is not influenced in any way.

Having just finished what is definitely the most thorough history on this topic that I have ever read, period, I look upon author Neil Price’s decision to subtitle “Children of Ash and Elm” as merely “A History of the Vikings” as a major understatement on his part. The reach of this work is exhaustive, covering everything from the social pressures that led to the first coastal raids to the surprising amount of gender fluidity that existed in Viking society. Every facet that is tackled is done so using the full combined weight of the existing archaeological and historical record, and as a result, I was able to finish every chapter feeling confident that no stone had been left unturned.

Besides being exhaustive, this book is aggressively objective in a manner that I fast grew to appreciate. Price specifically targets all the major stereotypes and misconceptions but does so in a way that neither glorifies nor denigrates. He just focuses on presenting the Viking’s story as has been told to us in the present by the existing historical and archaeological evidence that has been left behind, and it is neither the story of mere crude seagoing brutes nor anyone that should be put upon any pedestal. It’s a story of a specific group that had their very own unique combination of complexities and contradictions, as all peoples do. And frankly, this story as is told by the evidence ends up being vastly more fascinating than any of the one-dimensional symbols that the Vikings have been pigeonholed into over the centuries.

Eventually, further research and archaeological finds will further build upon all that Price covers here, eventually making “Children of Ash and Elm” an incomplete overview. However, I don’t see this book being dethroned as arguably one of the best existing histories on the Vikings anytime in the foreseeable future. Its completeness feels unmatched for the time being.