Histories of the Unexpected: The Vikings

Histories of the Unexpected not only presents a new way of thinking about the past, but also reveals the world around us as never before.

Traditionally, the Vikings have been understood in a straightforward way - but the period really comes alive if you take an unexpected approach to its history. Yes, ships, raiding and trade have a fascinating history... but so too do hair, break-ins, toys, teeth, mischief, luck and silk!

Each of these subjects is equally fascinating in its own right, and each sheds new light on the traditional subjects and themes that we think we know so well.

Review: History as you've never seen it before. -- Dan Snow

Irreverent, witty and fabulously well-informed, Histories of the Unexpected is a blast of historical treats and full to the gunwales of extraordinary connections and trivia from the past. -- James Holland

History isn't straightforward. It's a complex web of twists and turns. This book will show you how surprising, exciting and downright unexpected history can be. -- Janina Ramirez

This is a wonderful, eclectic and entertaining history of everything, full of fascinating, surprising stories. -- Suzannah Lipscomb 

 

 0: The Vikings: An Introduction. 1: Keys 2: Graffiti 3: Nicknames 4: Mischief 5: Hair Grooming 6: Hot Springs and Saunas 7: Break-ins 8: Colour 9: Toys 10: Teeth 11: Doors 12: Goading 13: Criminal Profiling 14: Birds 15: Luck 16: Friendship 17: Fun 18: Double Standards 19: Silk 20: Staffs