Stefan Brink

Stefan Brink's book about slavery in the Viking Age is a dense, academically focused tome, and also a fascinating read if this is a subject you find of interest. Certainly I do, mostly because of research with which I'm involved.

Having said that, even if you aren't involved in research, Brink's book illuminates another aspect of human behaviour in another age, underscoring the fact humans are, and likely will always be, a predatory species capable of equal majesty and malevolence.

The first segment of the book sets about to define the parameters of slavery as presented in the book, allowing the reader precise perspective. Thereafter, Brink relies upon what primary historical records there are regarding Viking slave trade, much of it coming from what we now know as the Middle East and eastern Russia, in specific traders and diplomats who were present in the markets across the known world where the Vikings did business. The events and descriptions are quite vivid. And to his credit, Brink offers no personal opinion, but instead presents history and facts as he found them. That nakedness is appalling in its reality.

It is made clear in the book why Brink relies upon reports from outside Viking culture, and the reasoning is also astonishing: the Vikings eschewed most written records. While there are rune sticks and stones, mostly those seem confined to boasts of accomplishments, rather than mundane record-keeping and journals of events.

All in all, this is a significant and valuable resource in any library.… (mais)

Tar främst upp de olika orden som kan beskriva slavar under de år som behandlas, vad de kan ha haft för innebörd under de åren dvs vad för slags slav handlade det om.
Bristen på skriftliga källor från norden under denna tid försvårar för författaren som tar upp och beskriver de problem detta medför.
Har du inte ett specielt intresse för ords historia och betydelse förr och nu eller är väldigt intreserad av samhället under vikingatiden rekomenderas inte denna bok för populärhistoriska läsare.… (mais)

Ultimately, a disappointing book, despite my high hopes. I'd recommend other scholarly references on the Viking age over this volume.

I can't fault the scholarship, but the text is like a tray of fresh vegetables, left out on the table too long, and now limp and dessicated. Yeah, they're good for you, but they're not appealing.

I am certain I'll use this book in my research, but only when I can't find what I'm looking for in other texts that cover the subject with a bit more enthusiasm.… (mais)