wkdoolan's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
4.75
kebab48's review against another edition
informative
relaxing
medium-paced
4.0
Tracing the history of a carnelian bead from Britain all the way to the near East, she tells a story of the Vikings that is easy to follow, challenging many assumptions on their culture, habits and treatment of women. Along the way, we are introduced to modern archeological technology and how it helps us uncover some of the secrets left behind by the burial sites. Very engaging and shows how the world has always been connected.
tomcurs's review against another edition
3.0
Was very interesting in places but felt like it lost its way after a strong start
sammilittlejohns's review against another edition
2.0
I liked it, but i wouldn't say it was 'new' archaeology. Also I really didn't like the little fiction stories about the objects before the chapters. But I thought it was well written and a good quick read if you're just getting into this area of archaeology.
deavery's review against another edition
4.0
The essay all novelists about to write something taking place in the Viking Age should read. It challenges almost all we know about that age based on factual archeological evidence (and while doing that it is also a window on the most advanced archeological practices and tools). A very pleasant and informative reading, which did not surprise me too much just because I recently read The Silk Roads.
ptaradactyl's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
medium-paced
3.5
A very interesting book on a topic I knew nothing about. It taught me trivia I subjected all manner of bystanders to, although it did drag in a few places