The Vikings hold a particular place in the history of the West, both symbolically and in the significant impact they had on Northern Europe. Magnus Magnusson's indispensable study of this great period presents a rounded and fascinating picture of a people who, in modern eyes, would seem to embody striking contradictions. They were undoubtedly pillagers, raiders and terrifying warriors, but they were also great pioneers, artists and traders - a dynamic people, whose skill and daring in their exploration of the world has left an indelible impression a thousand years on.

Lindisfarne has captured the imagination of visitors and residents alike for decades. Also know as 'Holy Island', the rich and eventful history of the area is explored in great depth in this fascinating account. The author takes us on a journey to 'the cradle island' - the ancient shrine of Celtic Christianity - to reveal the treasures of the island. He tells the story of people and nature from the beginning to the present day, exploring the natural history and archaeology of the region. While best known for his television career, Magnus Magnusson published a number of books, including The Vikings.

A fascinating story of the Hebridean island of Rum, from well-known broadcaster and writer Magnus Magnusson. It moves from the earliest times, through the clearances and its period as a sporting playground of the rich to its rebirth as a National Nature Reserve. Thoroughly researched and written in a lively, accessible style, it includes comprehensive coverage of the island's geology, wildlife, plants, and people.
-- Practical information for visitors on accommodation, walks and heritage trails

This book of 85 stories from medieval Iceland illustrates a variety of supernatural beliefs concerning elves, gigantic trolls, water monsters, ghosts, wizards, and black magic rites, buried treasure, and religious tales. The stories are intimately linked to the landscape and reflect the hopes, fears, hardships, and preoccupations of everyday life. The translation of each tale is accompanied by an explanatory introduction and notes.

The biography of one of the most remarkable and memorable of the medieval kings of Norway.

King Harald’s Saga forms part of the Heimskringla, a complete history of Norway from prehistoric times to 1177, by the prolific Icelandic historian Snorri Sturluson. It records the turbulent life of King Harald Hardradi of Norway, who served and fought in every corner of Europe, from Russia to Sicily. It is a superb portrait of a man who could well have changed the whole course of English history. William the Conqueror defeated King Harold of England at the Battle of Hastings in 1066. But less than three weeks earlier Harold had defeated the giant Harald of Norway at Stamford Bridge in Yorkshire, and Harald’s only reward for his claim to the English throne was seven feet of English soil’.

The interest of King Harald’s Saga is more than merely historical. People and events spring to life in a fast-moving, imaginative narrative, ably translated by Magnus Magnusson and Hermann Pálsson, who also supply a useful Introduction.

Magnus Magnusson relates the world-famous Icelandic sagas to the spectacular living landscapes of today, taking the reader on a literary tour of the mountains, valleys, and fjords where the heroes and heroines of the sagas lived out their eventful lives. He also tells the story of the first Viking settler, Ingolfur Anarson.

This scarce antiquarian book is included in our special Legacy Reprint Series. In the interest of creating a more extensive selection of rare historical book reprints, we have chosen to reproduce this title even though it may possibly have occasional imperfections such as missing and blurred pages, missing text, poor pictures, markings, dark backgrounds and other reproduction issues beyond our control. Because this work is culturally important, we have made it available as a part of our commitment to protecting, preserving and promoting the world's literature.

This is a reproduction of a book published before 1923. This book may have occasional imperfections such as missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. that were either part of the original artifact, or were introduced by the scanning process. We believe this work is culturally important, and despite the imperfections, have elected to bring it back into print as part of our continuing commitment to the preservation of printed works worldwide. We appreciate your understanding of the imperfections in the preservation process, and hope you enjoy this valuable book.

This scarce antiquarian book is included in our special Legacy Reprint Series. In the interest of creating a more extensive selection of rare historical book reprints, we have chosen to reproduce this title even though it may possibly have occasional imperfections such as missing and blurred pages, missing text, poor pictures, markings, dark backgrounds and other reproduction issues beyond our control. Because this work is culturally important, we have made it available as a part of our commitment to protecting, preserving and promoting the world's literature.

Nobel laureate Halldor Laxness's Under the Glacier""is a""one-of-a-kind masterpiece, a wryly provocative novel at once earthy and otherworldly. At its outset, the Bishop of Iceland dispatches a young emissary to investigate certain charges against the pastor at Sn?fells Glacier, who, among other things, appears to have given up burying the dead. But once he arrives, the emissary finds that this dereliction counts only as a mild eccentricity in a community that regards itself as the center of the world and where Creation itself is a work in progress.
What is the emissary to make, for example, of the boarded-up church? What about the mysterious building that has sprung up alongside it? Or the fact that Pastor Primus spends most of his time shoeing horses? Or that his wife, Ua (pronounced "ooh-a," which is what men invariably sputter upon seeing her), is rumored never to have bathed, eaten, or slept? Piling improbability on top of improbability, Under the Glacier""overflows with comedy both wild and deadpan as it conjures a phantasmagoria as beguiling as it is profound.

Magnus Magnusson's timely and vivid look at Scotland's long a difficult road to nationhood takes as its starting-point Sir Walter Scott's 'Tales of a Grandfather', which has moulded the views of generations of Scottish schoolchildren since its first appearance in 1827-29.

Like Scott, Magnus Magnusson is a master story-teller, who investigates such questions as: Where did the 'Scots' come from? What happened to the Picts? What is the truth about such historical figures a Macbeth, William Wallace and Robert Bruce? What was the significance of the tragic reign of Mary Queen of Scots? Who were the Covenanters? What lay behind the Massacre of Glencoe? What were the long-term effects of the 1707 Treaty of Union with England? What was the impact of 'Bonnie Prince Charlie' and his brutal defeat at Culloden?

In his journey through Scotland's past, the author has visited many of the places which have shaped its history and takes account of all the latest historical research.

'Magnus Magnusson tells his story with vigour and lucidity… he sets himself to put the romance back into history, and succeeds splendidly, His account of the wars of independence is admirably gripping'
ALLAN MASSIE, 'Spectator'

'A very readable, traditional history told as a tale from its beginnings up to now… offering hundreds of well-chosen photographs and reproductions.'
NEAL ASCHERSON, 'Observer'

'Mr Magnusson has distilled the past to give us a romp through history that is as gripping as – but far more accurate than – any Hollywood blockbuster.'
SUNDAY EXPRESS