Reviews (6)

Great Reference Concerning Medieval Vikings!
This is a great reference!It is written by "The Expert" in the field and is both factual and interesting!If you like reading about the vikings---look no further!!

Just what I was looking for
If you're looking for a book which discusses various aspects of the culture and society of Medieval Iceland, look no further!I found this book to be a wonderful read, providing many of the details I was looking for.It does just what a good book should do imho - provide valuable insight AND additional references to other books which illuminate others areas I'm interested in.

Just what I was looking for
If you're looking for a book which discusses various aspects of the culture and society of Medieval Iceland, look no further!I am finding this book to be a wonderful read, providing many of the details I was looking for.It does just what a good book should do imho - provide valuable insight AND additional references to other books which illuminate other areas I am interested in. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Europe - General    2. History - General History    3. Medieval    4. Sociology    5. History / Medieval    6. Mythology, Norse   

Reviews (4)

Completely Useless
This book fails to disclose that Reykjavik is nothing more than a drinking town (24/7) in the Summer for 20 year olds from Europe.It provides no recommendation for those who want to stay "in town" yet stay away from all of the drunks.Everything in the book is described as expensive and pricey.Being from NY and having traveled the world, given the choice of a two hour bus ride from hell to get dropped off three blocks from my dump of a hotel or a pricey 45 minute cab ride, I'll opt for the cab any day.It's perfectely written for those who want to hike and see the country, and live out of their back pack, which is fine.For those who want to experience culture, explore the geologic uniqueness that Iceland has to offer and are not so cheap that they shouldn't be going on vacation anyway, this book is NOT for you.Why not write a travel guide that accurately describes the realities of travel?

Provides a Good Overview
It is always hard to read reviews for travel books.One person's treasure is another person's waste of money.
An Excellent Planning Resource
Having spent over three years in motion overseas, I have come to appreciate a guidebook that can blend the practical and cultural in a concise treatment.The Rough Guide to Iceland does this skillfully, and it is well-organized to boot.You'd use the Rough Guide to plan and layout your trip and then keep it by your side as your interpretive companion
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Subjects:  1. Europe - General    2. Europe - History    3. Europe - Iceland & Greenland    4. Travel    5. Travel - Foreign    6. Travel Guides    7. Iceland    8. Travel & holiday guides    9. Travel / Europe / Iceland & Greenland   

Reviews (11)

Soviet Union vs the US or Spassky vs Fischer?
This book caught my eye since I used to play high school chess competitively. I'm reasonably aware of Fischer's exploits - but this book opened a whole new level of understanding of the times. The political intrigue presented in the book was, to me, more interesting than the issues surrounding the chess match.
It Captured Me
I enjoy the game of chess, but I'm far from an expert or diehard enthusiast. I know of Bobby Fischer, but I'm far from informed on the subject. Despite that, this book absolutely sucked me in right from the start, and I ended up reading it all in one night. It not only gives an extraordinarily detailed, game-by-game account of Fischer's classic 1972 showdown with Boris Spassky, it also provides a fascinating sense of the political and social context and the forces that were at work on (and in) each man. The writing is fluid and intelligent, easy to read in the best sense. If you're a fan of competitive chess or a Fischer-o-phile then this is a must-have, but even those who aren't will be able to enjoy this simply as an excellent biography about a talented but deeply flawed man who loomed large over a small board at the height of the Cold War. Highly recommended.

A Metaphor of the Cold War Era
I was pleasantly surprised at this very urbane, almost panoramic, and far-sighted treatment of the clash of the two Titans of chess.
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Subjects:  1. (1972 :    2. 1937-    3. 1943-    4. Chess - General    5. Fischer, Bobby,    6. Games / Gamebooks / Crosswords    7. History    8. History: American    9. Reykjavâik, Iceland)    10. Spassky, Boris Vasilyevich,    11. United States - 20th Century    12. World Chess Championship    13. History / General    14. Reading Group Guide   

Reviews (9)

Standing among giants
Reagan and Gorbachev are two of the most important men in the last half of the 20th century.Each of them, thru ways subtle and overt, led their nations to the point where the Cold War could end, and a new future could begin.Much has been written about what each did on their domestic fronts to move their governments and populations to this point, and much has also been written about how they worked together, sometimes in public and sometimes in private.This book focuses on the latter.
I agree--its about the 'turn'
This book's strength is that the author was present for this historic timeframe and his ability to recount details and nuances of character of the Amercians and Russians involved in the negotiation process. The photos usd could be better. there should have been more of mrs gorbachev and mrs reagan.

Comparatively fair - as in balanced.
My thoughts on this book match up pretty much with Oberdorfer's book on the end of the Cold War, which was originally titled "The Turn."They both offer a more open-minded approach.Matlock, in this book, has a bit more distance from the event, which allowed him more access to the Soviet side.And he was an insider's insider to what occurred.Oberdorfer's account is as the top-notch journalist he was.It's easier reading and thoroughly entertaining.
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Subjects:  1. 1931-    2. Foreign relations    3. General    4. Geneva    5. Gorbachev, Mikhail Sergeevich,    6. History - General History    7. Iceland    8. International Relations - Arms Control    9. Modern - 20th Century/Nuclear Age    10. Political History    11. Political Science    12. Politics/International Relations    13. Reagan, Ronald    14. Reykjavâik    15. Soviet Union    16. Summit meetings    17. Switzerland    18. United States    19. History / Modern / 20th Century   

Subjects:  1. Europe - Scandinavia    2. Gragas    3. Grâagâas    4. History    5. History: World    6. Iceland    7. Law    8. Legal History    9. Legal Reference / Law Profession    10. Medieval    11. Reference    12. Sources    13. Laws of Other Jurisdictions & General Law    14. Northern Europe, Scandinavia   

Reviews (13)

Excellent reading and beautiful photographs
I recently visited Iceland for a a couple days enroute from Europe to the US and found myself enchanted by the country and its people.Returning home, I immediately wanted to purchase a book that would give me a better understanding of the culture, the land, and the history.This book has it all, and has filled me with interesting facts and stories, not to mention the beautiful visuals the photographs give.I highly recommend this book to anyone who is interested in or loves Iceland.

Slight Disappointment
Well, I must admit a slight "prejudice" regarding this book.I bought it because I've already read all the other books by Jon Krakauer (and loved every one a bunch!).But, this book is quite different from any other that Krakauer has been involved in.Right on the front cover it says "Photographs by Jon Krakauer Text by David Roberts" so I guess I shouldn't really have been all that surprised by the "difference."In fact, I have no choice but to believe that virtually everything that Jon Krakauer lays his hands on turns to gold somehow (this book is no different in this regard), since he absolutely has to be a severely super-experienced pro explorer, mountain climber, skier, paddler, writer and now, photographer, as well, judging from all he's written.If anything, he "under" emphasizes the feelings and emotions, at least, for those of us who've had at least a small taste of the miseries, dangers and pitfalls-- weather can play a big role-- that befall nearly every person who does these things.At some point, if your heart is in it at all, you'll get the crap scared out of you big time, unless you are completely out of your mind, either due to drugs, insanity or whatever.Krakauer is amazing at writing about all of this and more, but you'll find none of that in this book, at least none written by Krakauer.Nonetheless, as I said, Krakauer does anything and everything to perfection and with class, and in this book the text by David Roberts is nothing to boo-hoo at all.He is the equal of Krakauer in his own writing style and he tells great stories which are parts of the endless "sagas" that go on for centuries there, part of ordinary everyday life and culture for an Icelander, but a strange curiosity for foreigners from afar.Krakauer deferred to Roberts here most likely for a couple reasons; because he thought Roberts knew more and could write easier and with better results regarding Iceland, and he probably wanted to focus on developing yet another great natural talent of his own, photography, especially in such a surreal and amazingly different place that most peoples of the world aren't very familiar with. I'm guessing here, but the end results are superb.I know there are the little issues of content and various criticisms about whether they covered Iceland in a "balanced" and "informative" way, or whether the photos really represent the "true Iceland" that you'd see and experience should you take a "normal" vacation there (if there is such a thing).But those types of travel info books can be gotten by buying the title "Iceland" from any number of companies like Frommers or Fodors to many lesser known and more colorfully illustrated travel books that may or may not have as current of info as these well-known ones.I'm sure this is NOT the genre that Roberts and Krakauer had in mind when doing this book.Their book should be in that genre, too, but is very much more than that and I can definitely recommend it for anyone interested in Iceland, whether you have been there, are going there soon or maybe never will go there, but just want to know about the place.This title must be on your Iceland (or Jon Krakauer or David Roberts) list, whether short or long!

In Saga footsteps
For anyone into the wild and all pure nature of Iceland, this is a good but advanced start. Try taking Njall's Saga at one hand and this very good-quality pictured book at the other and flip through the pages as you learn more about the Saga, the characters and the actual places where all these wild yet quite Icelandic bravery epic stories took place.This book is also great for anyone who would want to pursue a deeper understanding of the life during 1000 - when Christianity was adopted in Iceland. Again in this book you will get to read parts from various sagas, see turf homes and get a taste of pure Iceland. Enjoy it. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 20th Century Description And Travel    2. Description    3. Description and travel    4. Europe - Iceland & Greenland    5. Folklore    6. Iceland    7. Pictorial works    8. Pictorials    9. Sagas    10. Subjects & Themes - Travel - World/General    11. Travel    12. Travel - General    13. NATURAL HISTORY, COUNTRY LIFE & PETS    14. Travel & holiday guides    15. Travel / Pictorials   

Reviews (7)

Convincing
Historians typically use journals, diaries, and estate and government records on which to base their theories. What do you do when these don't exist? You use what is available: oral traditions, the sagas, and archeology. Often what their enemies write them has endured and skewed our understanding of them. Those who write about the ancient Celts and medieval Gaels should take note of this academic's method.

An essential companion to the Icelandic sagas
This is an excellent book about Viking society in Iceland, and Jesse Byock is a great authority on the topic.
New way of looking at history
The strength of this book is that it uses the sagas as a tool to learn more about viking age Iceland rather than ignoring it as folk lore as other historians have in the past. This approach also makes the book a lot more readable and enjoyable for those who do not like a dry history book with facts and dates and people names. In addition, I also enjoyed the details about how they built their houses and the lay-out of their houses.Read more

Subjects:  1. Europe - Scandinavia    2. General    3. History    4. History - General History    5. History: World    6. Iceland    7. Medieval    8. To 1262    9. European history (ie other than Britain & Ireland)    10. History / Scandinavia    11. History of other lands    12. c 1000 CE to c 1500   

Reviews (2)

An excellent behind the scenes view of WWII intelligence
Hauenstein does an excellent job sharing his memories of his role in WWII as an intelligence officer.I recommend this to anyone with an interest in WWII.

Intelligence Was My Line
This book is a facinating read, providing never seen before insight into US Intelligence prior to and during the European Theater of WWII.I would highly recommend this book to those who are interested in the beginning of the US Intelligence Branch of government and WWII buffs. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography & Autobiography    2. Biography / Autobiography    3. Biography/Autobiography    4. Europe    5. General    6. Iceland    7. Military intelligence    8. Presidents & Heads of State    9. United States    10. World War, 1939-1945    11. History    12. True stories: Second World War    13. USA   

Subjects:  1. Europe - History    2. Europe - Iceland & Greenland    3. Travel    4. Travel - Foreign    5. Travel Guides    6. Iceland    7. Travel & holiday guides    8. Travel / Europe / Iceland & Greenland   

Reviews (3)

A great introduction to Iceland
A very readable history of Iceland, though it might have a few too many details and numbers for some people (not me).He does not over-romanticize Iceland and actually challenges a lot of myths that Icelanders have about their own history.I read the book just before I went to Iceland, and it made my experience a lot more enjoyable.

Brownish, Dry, Shrivelled Statistician
Icelandic history is divided into three epochs: (1) the Saga Period, from the beginnings of settlement to the surrender of sovereignty in 1262; (2) the Colonial Period, under the thumb of first Norway and then Denmark, during which Iceland almost disappears from the world stage; and (3) the Period of Independence, from approximately 1809 to the present. In his HISTORY, Gunnar Karlsson adds a fourth epoch: the 20th century. A Great Introduction
Gunnar Karlsson's book is a great introduction to Icelandic history. It is wonderful for the curious reader. However, as a scholarly work, it is lacking in precise details. In comparison to Knut Gjerset's History of Iceland, it is an easier read but with less information. While Karlsson touches upon a vareity of topics, he does not delve into them at great depth. However, this book would be great to find a topic that the reader would like to research or learn more about just because the nature of the book gives such a broad overview. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Europe - Scandinavia    2. History    3. History - General History    4. History: World    5. Iceland   

Reviews (3)

A thorough, wide-ranging, scholarly work
This is a thorough, wide-ranging, scholarly work - a useful and insightful review that stretches over a millenium in time. Although the book charts the course in history of this geographically and culturally linked collection of peoples, it still emphasises the individuality of each.I hadn't realised just how complex a relationship of inter-dependence and rivalry existed between these nations for so long. Among the more fascinating discussions in the book, I would list: church-state relations especially in the period following the reformation, the impact of the industrial revolution and the development of the welfare state, the period leading up to the second world war and the relationship between the various countries and the major powers during the war (i.e. Finland with Russia, Denmark with Germany, etc.) and the historical contribution of each nation to the arts and sciences. One small criticism: I would have liked to have seen some maps in the book - my knowledge of Scandinavia is not so extensive that I could picture the geographical relationship of the many places mentioned.I especially found the early part of the book very heavy going, and difficult to follow the many movements of people that were detailed.

Excellent coverage of the war years
The author does an excellent job of covering Scandinavia during the war years. His use of information from Eisenhowers private papers brings a whole new dimension to understanding what was going on in each country.Iwas not aware that near the end of the war Ike had a serious plan toliberate the Norwegian Allies from the NAZIS, by first liberating Denmark,then proceeding overland across Sweden. (I wonder if he would have giventhe job to Patton?)

A concise and complete history of all of Scandinavia
In reading this book it becomes very apparent at how much the state-church relation influenced much of Scandinavia, and also it's people.It was also incredibly interesting to read about how the countries of Denmark, Swedenand Norway kept separating, and uniting.For anyone who is interested inScandinavian history, that delves way beneath the surface, look no further,TK Derry writes a book that can't be ignored. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. European history (ie other than Britain & Ireland)    2. Northern Europe, Scandinavia   

Subjects:  1. Conservatism    2. Diplomatic History    3. Foreign relations    4. Geneva    5. History    6. History - General History    7. History: World    8. Iceland    9. International Relations - General    10. Modern - 20th Century    11. Reykjavâik    12. Soviet Union    13. Summit meetings    14. Switzerland    15. United States    16. Conservatism & right-of-centre democratic ideologies    17. Diplomacy    18. History / Modern / 20th Century    19. History of specific subjects    20. World history: from c 1900 -   

Subjects:  1. Buddhism - General    2. Christianity - History - General    3. Europe - Scandinavia    4. Medieval Church (476-1517)    5. Religion    6. Religion - World Religions    7. Scandinavia - History    8. Christianity    9. European history: c 500 to c 1500    10. History, World | Medieval    11. History-Europe - Scandinavia    12. Iceland    13. Religion / Buddhism    14. Religion / Church History    15. Religion-Christianity - History - General    16. c 1000 CE to c 1500   

Editorial Review

Emulating Read more

Reviews (3)

A sad book unintentionally almost funny
You won't find much here about Iceland, but if you're looking for a case study on the American male midlife-crisis, this may be your baby. Taken that way it's unintentionally, although darkly, funny (There's no intentional humor at all. None.) And despite the jacket blurb, don't look for wisdom. A Pennsylvania guy in his 40's with house, wife, toddler and dog is drawn to spending a summer in rural Iceland. His mother worries about how her toddler grandson will handle it, and the author can't come up with any reason to go there, but then his mom is brutally murdered. This provides a good reason. Now the son needs Iceland to cure his grief and rage and also maybe to get in some kayaking on the side. He's no longer able to have sex with his wife, but finds he's generally able to sleep after pulling his pud. So in December he heads to Iceland by himself -- probably not the best time to fix up an abandoned shack near the Arctic Circle, but then he leans heavily on goodhearted Icelanders to pull him through. ("Friends" in the book are horribly used.) The wife and kid arrive in June. Nothing much is going on at the ends of the earth, and this would be a good chance for contemplation and to bring a deep truth or two out of the wilderness. Instead, the reader gets an almost day-by-day action account of what must be one of the most tedious, dreary summers ever. If anything worth mentioning happens, I missed it. The toddler apparently had to be rescued from a manure heap, but the author skirts that. And he finds dead things everywhere: a seal washed up on the beach doesn't smell or look great; baby wagtails fall out of the nest and are eaten. After a month of this everybody gets to go home to PA for a couple of weeks (for a funeral) and then returns to finish out August in Iceland. The guy never tries to learn Icelandic and argues it can't be learned, although his wife learns enough to get by. An Icelander sends love poetry to the wife, but the author breaks that up. He'd like to stay longer, but hears PA calling. You close the book hoping the wife and kid will run away with the poet.

Nice balance of nature, travel, and journal writing.
My kind of book is a non-fiction book entitled "A Year in (blank)" or any calendar subset of that (e.g., Sue Hubbell's A Country Year).So when I encountered Summer at Little Lava, I was interested.Iknew that it wasn't the journal of the author's life for a year in thecountry.But a summer in a remote cottage on the coast of Iceland wasclose enough for me.I was not disappointed.I tended to skim over thedetail of natural history and bird behavior, but slowed down considerablywhen Fergus described crossing the lava fields, ocean kayaking, or havingcoffee with their distant Icelandic neighbors.The mix of natural history,animal and plant description, and story telling was well balanced.Therewas enough "journal-like" story telling to keep me reading to theend.The chapter "Poison Cold" was so good it was worthre-reading, but be warned -- be close to a woodstove when you read itbecause it will make you cold.An added human dimension to the book is theoccasional memories and thoughts of the author as he wrestles with thedeaths of both his mother and his niece.A particularly touching passagerecounts the telling to his son of the tragic death of his niece. Irecommend this book for all travel and nature readers.And for readerslooking for a book without a hidden agenda and unnecessary symbolism.Theauthor simply writes about what he sees and feels . . . and sometimes whathe deeply feels.

Of great interest becouse of my lineage
I am third generation Icelandic, all of my grandparents immegrated to america in the late 19th century. They were all: "west coast Icelanders" Reading Fergus's book was of especial interest because mymaternal grandmother [Holmfrethur Hansdottir] was born on Oct 20, 1860 at:Litliahrauni, Iceland, the exact site of Little Lava in this book. I have ajournal writen by her husband in 1930 that spells out this history. I wouldlike to send a copy of this journal to Mr. Fergus if I can get his address.Thank you. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 20th Century Description And Travel    2. American authors    3. Biography    4. Description and travel    5. Essays    6. Essays & Travelogues    7. Europe - Scandinavia    8. Iceland    9. Natural history    10. Nature    11. Nature/Ecology    12. Travel - Foreign    13. Fergus, Charles   

Reviews (5)

A wonderful read
I greatly enjoyed this book.It was fun to read and very interesting from a historical point of view.I'm going to Iceland soon and I feel that I understand the background and culture of the country better than before I read this book.
Not the best.
If you are looking for a well-organized history of Iceland, you probably don't want this one.I get the feeling that the author wants it both ways: to be folksy AND legitimate.It doesn't fly. . . I have read several books on Iceland and this is my least favorite....

A pleasant mixture of culture and history
This book was much more pleasant to read in many ways than most historybooks. It blends history with various cultural aspects such as sausagemaking and other traditional pasttimes and holidays. As a result, it doesquite a bit to soften the sometimes drier moments of history. It is one ofthe few history books I have read that make me feel I would know somethinguseful about a place if I were to travel there. Also, because thehistorical aspect is why I bought the book,I was not to be disappointed,the Cod Wars, the Settlement, Christianization, it is all there along withan especially interesting section onthe first settlement of Greenland. Irecommend this book. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Europe - Scandinavia    2. General    3. History - General History    4. Travel    5. Iceland    6. Religion / General    7. Travel writing   

Subjects:  1. Art    2. Art & Art Instruction    3. History - General   

Reviews (35)

couldn't put it down
really wondeful. the appendix chapter his mother is, in my opinion,
A very brief review
Plus: Just the facts. This is a straightforward history of the 1972 Fischer-Spassky match, told with enough context to make the story understandable, interesting, and entertaining, but without exaggeration. The story is balanced, and tells Spassky's side as well as Fischer's.
Cold War Intrigue...Over 64 Squares
It had all the intrigue of a Cold War novel: there was the arrogant, boyish challenger; the imperious, quiet Soviet; the behind-the-scenes dealings; the suspicious delegates; the spies; the double-agents; hypnotists and spiritualists; food poisoning and wire-taps; searched briefcases and searched rooms; a mother suspected of being a communist sympathizer; the FBI, the KGB and the CIA; even Henry Kissinger has a cameo.
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Subjects:  1. (1972 :    2. 1937-    3. 1943-    4. Biography/Autobiography    5. Canada - General    6. Chess - General    7. Fischer, Bobby,    8. Games / Gamebooks / Crosswords    9. History    10. Political    11. Reykjavik, Iceland)    12. Reykjavâik, Iceland)    13. Spassky, Boris Vasilyevich,    14. United States - 20th Century    15. World Chess Championship    16. History / General    17. Reading Group Guide   

Reviews (6)

Women in the Viking Age
I found this to be rather dry, tho informative, with an irritating theme running through about 'not having enough evidence to really know for sure'. I appreciated her use of multiple disaplines to explore these women's lives... however, I find myself believing that MS. Jesch has much more knowledge to share on Viking women than was presented in her book, and so would have prefered that her conclusion, at least, reflected so. I would have appreciated(and expected) a section with her conclusions about daily life in the differing circumstances of these women. Such as fibre arts, foods, clothing, armor, weapons, homes, homesites, disease/wound cause of deaths, etc. This to flesh out discoveries hinted at in her work. I would be willing to explore further Viking women writings of hers, especially if co-authored and with even more informative pictures.

Good book on a little study topic.
This is a good history of Norse women. The writer has no noticable political agenda so it is just straight history. It is not just P.C. "women studies" like some books on the topics. So it is worth your money. Wyatt Kaldenberg

Women in the Viking Age
I just recently purchased this book and read it in 2 days.It seems to keep to facts, not opinions (unless stated).It was fairly easy to read (only a few "dry" places) and it gave it's sources for everything so more reading on the subject is possible.I found it fascinating. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Europe - General    2. History - General History    3. Medieval    4. Social Science    5. Sociology    6. Women's Studies - General    7. Women's Studies - History    8. British & Irish history: c 500 to c 1000    9. Celtic, Saxon, Germanic & Nordic archaeology    10. Cultural studies    11. European history: c 500 to c 1500    12. History / Medieval    13. Iceland    14. Ireland    15. Northern Europe, Scandinavia    16. United Kingdom, Great Britain    17. Women's studies    18. World history   

Subjects:  1. 1936-1945    2. Diplomatic History    3. Foreign relations    4. Great Britain    5. History - Military / War    6. Iceland    7. Military - World War II    8. World War II - Europe    9. World War, 1939-1945    10. Europe    11. International relations    12. Second World War, 1939-1945    13. Warfare & Defence