Recently I’ve been watching The History Channel’s hit show Vikings. Currently in its second season, the show is inspired by the legendary tales of the ninth century Viking chieftain Ragnar Lothbrok. Watch a recap of season 1 below:
I typically enjoy historical dramas, but I’m always left wondering just how historically accurate the show is and wanting to learn more about the time and people portrayed. ACPL has some great resources to do just that.
The Vikings: Culture and Conquest
by Martin Arnold explores the Vikings’ military prowess as well as their values, art, religion, and family life. Encyclopaedia of the Viking Age by John Haywood is an excellent quick resource for researching the people, places, and practices of the Vikings. For an exploration of Viking culture through literature, check out Arthur Cotterell’s Mythology of the Norse Gods: Myths and Legends of the Nordic World. If documentaries are more your style, NOVA’s The Vikings looks beyond the Vikings’ reputation as ruthless warriors to discover their affinity for shipbuilding, art, and trade . For a different take on a fictional depiction of Ragnar Lothbrok, try the 1958 film The Vikings, starring Kirk Douglas and Tony Curtis.
If you’ve not seen The History Channel’s Vikings and would like to, ACPL now has season 1 on DVD.
