Early Kings of Norway


Lu par LibriVox Volunteers

(4.2 stars; 39 reviews)

"The Icelanders, in their long winter, had a great habit of writing; and were, and still are, excellent in penmanship. It is to this fact, that any little history there is of the Norse Kings and their old tragedies, crimes and heroisms, is almost all due. The Icelanders, it seems, not only made beautiful letters on their paper or parchment, but were laudably observant and desirous of accuracy; and have left us such a collection of narratives (Sagas, literally "Says") as, for quantity and quality, is unexampled among rude nations. Snorro Sturleson's History of the Norse Kings is built out of these old Sagas; and has in it a great deal of poetic fire, . . . and deserves to be reckoned among the great history-books of the world. It is from these sources that the following rough notes of the early Norway Kings are hastily thrown together." (Excerpted from Thomas Carlyle's preface by Karen Merline) (4 hr 6 min)

Critiques

Good material well read.


(4 stars)

Now, you need to quite like things like the early kings of Norway for this book to be right for you, but, assuming you're reading this because that is your thing, then this is an excellent summary of the early kings of Norway, which is well read and very interesting.


(4 stars)

Interesting for those who appreciate stories of the rise and fall of leaders, especially within Norwegian and viking culture. A few of the narrators fall a bit short in their pronunciations, and are hard to follow, but there are also two great narrators here who deserve praise. Overall an entertaining and well worth listen in my mind.


(4 stars)

Interesting, and well written and well read but irritating noise from something bumping against the mike.