An illuminating presentation of daily life in Viking-era Scandinavia Though infamous for their violent marauding, Vikings were but one part of the complex Scandinavian culture from which they emerged. This excellent and intimate study goes beyond the rumours of the fury of the Northmen, into the realities of the greater Scandinavian community, and is ideal for readers who want to discover the everyday details of living in this dynamic time and place. What were Viking families like? How were slaves treated? Were older people treated well, or regarded with contempt? Exactly how did they manage to travel as far afield as Baghdad and Greenland? Author Kirsten Wolf answers all these questions and many more in this highly readable and informative volume. The work is organized into chapters covering all aspects of life: domestic, economic, intellectual, material, political, recreational, and religious. It includes a historical timeline of Viking history, complementary pictures, illustrations, and maps, and a bibliography. reality of Viking life behind the image of violent marauders Will appeal to both students and general readers, as Vikings are an ever-popular subject.