A review by catrink
The Edge of the World: A Cultural History of the North Sea and the Transformation of Europe by Michael Pye

4.0

This is a well written history of a different kind. It focuses on the cultural history of northern Europe - England and the Scandinavian countries for the most part but the specific nations don't matter for this book. Rather than war and politics (except when the Vikings were discussed), Michael Pye focuses instead on underlying developments in social culture. How did writing spread? What about the move from bartering to currency? Business math skills (earlier than one might think), fashion (which moved from north to south), the change from enduring ordeals to prove one's innocence to what would become a recognized legal system, and so much more.

This is an interesting history that will be of interest to many. Academia isn't the target audience, but there are 45 pages of references for those who wish to follow up intriguing trails of information to learn more. All in all a most accessible and quite interesting read curled up in the recliner on a cold winter's night.