Histories of the Unexpected: The Vikings (Histories of the Unexpected, 2)

Histories of the Unexpected not only presents a new way of thinking about the past, but also reveals the world around us as never before. Traditionally, the Vikings have been understood in a straightforward way - but the period really comes alive if you take an unexpected approach to its history. Yes, ships, raiding and trade have a fascinating history... but so too do hair, break-ins, toys, teeth, mischief, luck and silk! Each of these subjects is equally fascinating in its own right, and each sheds new light on the traditional subjects and themes that we think we know so well. The Histories of the Unexpected series not only presents a new way of thinking about the past, but also reveals the world around us as never before. Traditionally, the Vikings have been understood in a straightforward way—but the period really comes alive if you take an unexpected approach to its history. Yes, ships, raiding and trade have a fascinating history, but so too do hair, break-ins, toys, teeth, mischief, luck and silk! Each of these subjects is equally fascinating in its own right, and each sheds new light on the traditional subjects and themes that we think we know so well. Acknowledgements The Vikings: An Introduction 1. Keys 2. Graffiti 3. Nicknames 4. Mischief 5. Hair Grooming 6. Hot Springs and Saunas 7. Break-ins 8. Colour 9. Toys 10. Teeth 11. Doors 12. Goading 13. Criminal Profiling 14. Birds 15. Luck 16. Friendship 17. Fun 18. Double Standards 19. Silk 20. Staffs Selected Further Reading Illustration Credits Index In this new series of short books under the Histories of the Unexpected brand, Sam Willis and James Daybell take on some of greatest historical subjects but in an entirely unexpected way.