Shippey, Tom
Laughing Shall I Die: Lives and Deaths of the Great Vikings
- ISBN 13:
- 9781789142174
- author:
- Shippey, Tom
- format:
- Paperback / softback
- publisher:
- Reaktion Books
- language:
- English
- Publication Year:
- 2020
- Pages:
- 368
- Dimensions:
- 19.8 x 12.9 centimetres (0.55 kg
- Genre:
- History, Medieval, History,
- Condition:
- New
- Availability:
- Item usually sent within 4 working days
Description
The Vikings' fascination with heroic death is a complex and intriguing aspect of their culture. Their literature is dominated by scenes of brave last stands, defiant gestures, and grim humor, which may seem alien to modern sentiment. However, these same values have been surprisingly corroborated by archaeological discoveries, such as the Ridgeway massacre site in Dorset. Tom Shippey explores the psychology behind this mindset, weighing the evidence of sagas and poems against the accounts of the Vikings' victims. He recounts many of the great bravura scenes of Old Norse literature, including the Fall of the House of the Skjoldungs and the death of Thormod the skald. By examining the complexities of Viking psychology, Shippey presents a nuanced understanding of these warriors, marauders, and storytellers. This book offers a fresh perspective on the Vikings, moving beyond the popular image of peaceful explorers and traders to reveal a more complex and multifaceted people.
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