How the barbarian invasions shaped the modern world : the Vikings, Vandals, Huns, Mongols, Goths, and Tartars who razed the old world and formed the new

This richly detailed chronicle brings to life the personalities of Attila the Hun, Alaric the Goth, Genghis Khan, and many other barbarian kings and chieftains whose rampages across Europe, Asia, and North Africa changed the course of history. In this highly readable and authoritative book, author Thomas J. Craughwell draws upon the latest historical and archaeological research to reveal the impact of the barbarian invasions on the modern world: from the establishment of the English language, to the foundation of world capitals such as Dublin, to the introduction of gunpowder to Europe. Illustrated with more than 100 archival images gathered from around the world. Draws Upon Historical And Archaeological Research To Reveal The Impact Of The Barbarian Invasions On The Modern World : From The Establishment Of The English Language, To The Foundation Of World Capitals, To The Introduction Of Gunpowder To Europe. The Brightest Light Of The Whole World Is Extinguished: The Goths Sack Rome, 410 -- They Filled The Whole Earth With Slaughter And Panic: The Arrival Of The Huns, 369 -- The Scourge Of God: Attila The Hun, C. 406-453 -- King Of The Land And The Sea: Gaiseric And The Glory Days Of The Vandals, 406-439 -- An Empire Of Their Own: The Vandals And The Second Sacking Of Rome, 455 -- The Groans Of The Britons: The Angle, Saxon, And Jute Invasion Of Britain, 449 -- The Long-haired Kings: The Franks, 270-511 -- The First Viking Invasion Of England: The Sacking Of Lindisfarne Abbey, 793 -- The Last King: Alfred The Great, 849-899 -- Floods Of Danes And Pirates: The Vikings In Ireland, 795-980 -- The Wasteland: The Vikings In The Frankish Empire, 820-911 -- The Resurrection Of Hastein: Vikings In The Mediterranean, 844-851 -- The Blood Of Heroes: Irish And Vikings At The Battle Of Clontarf, 1014 -- The End Of The Viking Age: The Battle Of Stamford Bridge, 1066 -- Vengeance On Her Mind: Olga Of Kiev, C. 879-969 -- The Prince Who Made Kiev Christian: Vladimir Of Kiev, 956-1015 -- Spitting On The Emperor: The Mongols In China, 1215 -- The Golden Horde: The Mongols In Russia, 1238-1240 -- Sacks Full Of Ears: The Mongols In Eastern Europe, 1241-1242. Thomas J. Craughwell. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 304-308) And Index. Highlighted by full-color archival illustrations, an engaging history looks at the dramatic influence of the barbarian hordes that ravaged Europe and Asia more than eight centuries ago on the history of the world, from the destruction of the Roman Empire, to the unification of China, to the creation of many of the nations of Europe. Veteran author Thomas J. Craughwell reveals the fascinating tales of how the barbarian rampages across Europe, North Africa, and Asia -- killing, plundering, and destroying whole kingdoms and empires -- actually created the modern nations of England, France, Russia, and China.