Book Review: Embers of the Hands by Eleanor Barraclough (2024)

Synopsis: Thanks to books and movies, the word Viking generates certain images and ideas for most people. This non-fiction book explores the Viking legend and the history of the Scandinavian people it originates from.

 

Review: I'm not a big impulse shopper but that doesn't really apply whenever I'm in our local library and happen to see a book that I think would be interesting. That was the case when I checked out Embers of the Hands a couple weeks ago, while there to pick up a book I had on hold. After reading it, I would consider it a good impulse decision.

The Viking Age is an intriguing part of human history because, while there is so much influenced by the sea-voyaging Scandinavians that fit that description, there is also very little actually known about them because, as this book notes, a lot of Viking history was written down by the people they conquered (and didn't have incentive to get the information right). The author of this book tries to correct that while, at the same time, not ignoring the limitations that still exist.

While I would stop short of describing the book as a "tell-all," there is quite a bit of information inside it I didn't know before. This included things like religion, agriculture and social order while also going into the events that eventually caused the Viking Age to end.

I especially liked the discussion of runestones and how they were used during ancient times. I was under the impression runestones were something that was used to record something of importance, a royal birth certificate or a description of a historic event, for example. Instead, I was amazed to learn they were often used as a way of flirting with women in a surprisingly sexually descriptive manner. It was entertaining to read and, ironically, showed an increased importance because the runestones humanize that culture.

The part about Viking slaves was also interesting, especially the suggestion they may have been big contributors to that history. For example, the author suggests one of Leif Ericksson's slaves may have been the one responsible for one of his discoveries, Vinland, getting its name. It's an interesting tidbit of information you just don't see in most history books.

Final Opinion: This is an interesting non-fiction book that has quite a bit of fun and intriguing information about the previously untold stories from the Viking Age. It's worth taking the time to read if you get a chance.

My Grade: A

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Here are some reviews of other non-fiction history books:

Book Review: Room 1219 by Greg Merritt (2013)

Book Review: Rebels at Sea: Privateering in the American Revolution by Eric Jay Dolin (2022)

Book Review: The Forbidden Garden by Simon Parkin (2024)

Book Review: The Nazi Conspiracy by Brad Meltzer and Josh Mensch (2022)