Viking Warfare I.P. Stephenson (Amberley Publishing), 2012

144pp., £16.99 paper, ISBN 978-1-84868-690-8

The Viking Age began and in many respects ended in England. Its first act in 789 AD was a murder on a beach in Dorset; its last, some two and a half centuries later, was the crowning of Knut, a Dane in London as king of a united England. Over three centuries, the Vikings waged war on four continents; they besieged London, Paris and Constantinople, founded the Kingdom of Rus and the Duchy of Normandy, snuffed out Anglo-Saxon England and established Norman control over southern Italy and Sicily.  This innovative study emphasises the importance of the Vikings as the scourge of Christendom by providing a comprehensive survey of Viking warfare in all of its forms. Because of the quality of its primary source material, England is used as the lens through which to view the Viking art of war, although the impact of Eastern and Byzantine influences is not ignored. In the process, traditional beliefs regarding the Icelandic sagas and the role of berserkirs are challenged.  Alongside arms and armour, this study looks at tactics, formations and all aspects of combat from raiding and siege warfare, to pitched battles on land and at sea. Today, however, Vikings are seen more as traders and explorers than as warriors and this book helps to restore a balance into their history.  The book is clearly written with excellent illustrations in black and white and colour.  Those teaching the Vikings in schools will find it a valuable introduction to their darker side.