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Quick answer: The best books on the Vikings combine new archaeology with the sagas and myths. Start with The Children of Ash and Elm by Neil Price, The Sea Wolves by Lars Brownworth, River Kings by Cat Jarman, The Sagas of Icelanders, Norse Mythology by Neil Gaiman and The Last Kingdom by Bernard Cornwell.
The Viking Age began with a raid on the monastery of Lindisfarne in 793 and lasted for about 250 years. Scandinavian raiders, traders and settlers sailed as far as North America, Baghdad and Constantinople, founded towns like Dublin, settled Iceland and shaped England, Normandy and Russia. They weren’t only warriors. Most Vikings were farmers, and their poetry, sagas, art and laws were sophisticated. New research using DNA and archaeology is changing what we know about them. The books below include the best modern histories, translations of the sagas, the Norse myths, exciting novels and a classic myth collection for kids.
Table of Contents
Quick Picks at a Glance
| Book | Author | Type | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Children of Ash and Elm | Neil Price | History | The best modern history |
| The Sea Wolves | Lars Brownworth | Narrative history | A fast-paced introduction |
| The Vikings | Neil Oliver | Narrative history | TV history fans |
| River Kings | Cat Jarman | Archaeology | The eastern Vikings |
| The Vikings: A Very Short Introduction | Julian D. Richards | Short introduction | A quick overview |
| The Sagas of Icelanders | Various authors | Medieval sagas | Primary sources |
| Ibn Fadlan and the Land of Darkness | Ibn Fadlan | Travel account | Eyewitness history |
| Valkyrie | Jóhanna Katrín Friðriksdóttir | History | Women in the Viking world |
| Women in the Viking Age | Judith Jesch | History | Serious readers |
| Norse Mythology | Neil Gaiman | Retold myths | A fun way into the myths |
| The Last Kingdom | Bernard Cornwell | Historical novel | Action lovers |
| The Long Ships | Frans G. Bengtsson | Historical novel | Classic adventure |
| Hild | Nicola Griffith | Historical novel | Literary fiction fans |
| Beowulf | Seamus Heaney (translator) | Epic poem | Monster stories |
| D’Aulaires’ Book of Norse Myths | Ingri d’Aulaire and Edgar Parin d’Aulaire | Kids’ myths | Ages 7–12 |
1. The Children of Ash and Elm by Neil Price
Price, a leading archaeologist, explains how Vikings saw the world: their beliefs, households, politics and warfare. It’s big, brilliant and based on the latest research. If you read one book, make it this one.
2. The Sea Wolves by Lars Brownworth
Brownworth tells the Viking story as a series of adventures, from Lindisfarne to Iceland, Russia and Normandy. It’s short, energetic and perfect for beginners.
3. The Vikings by Neil Oliver
The presenter of BBC history programs travels across the Viking world and explains the people behind the myths. It’s accessible and full of vivid scenes.
4. River Kings by Cat Jarman
Starting from a single carnelian bead found in an English Viking grave, Jarman follows Vikings east along Russian rivers toward Baghdad and Constantinople. It’s a fresh, fascinating angle.
5. The Vikings: A Very Short Introduction by Julian D. Richards
Richards, an archaeologist, covers Viking raids, trade, settlement, religion and legacy in about 150 pages. It’s a reliable, compact primer.
6. The Sagas of Icelanders by Various authors
This Penguin collection includes Egil’s Saga and other classic tales of feuds, honor and family drama in Viking-age Iceland. They’re surprisingly modern in style and unforgettable.
7. Ibn Fadlan and the Land of Darkness by Ibn Fadlan
In the 920s, an Arab envoy from Baghdad met a group of Rus traders on the Volga and described their customs, including a ship burial. This translation collects his account and other Arab travelers’ writings.
8. Valkyrie by Jóhanna Katrín Friðriksdóttir
Friðriksdóttir uses sagas, poems and archaeology to show the lives of Viking-age women, from girls and wives to widows and powerful queens. It’s engaging and eye-opening.
9. Women in the Viking Age by Judith Jesch
Jesch’s classic study looks at the evidence for women’s lives in Scandinavia and the Viking world. It’s scholarly but clear, and it helped launch a whole field.
10. Norse Mythology by Neil Gaiman
Gaiman retells the stories of Odin, Thor, Loki and the end of the world at Ragnarök. It’s funny, dark and quick to read, a great introduction for adults and teens.
11. The Last Kingdom by Bernard Cornwell
Uhtred, a Saxon boy raised by Danes, is caught between two worlds as the Vikings invade England in the 860s. It’s the first book of the series that inspired the Netflix show. Content note: battle violence.
12. The Long Ships by Frans G. Bengtsson
This Swedish classic follows Red Orm on raids and voyages across the Viking world. It’s witty, swashbuckling and much funnier than you’d expect.
13. Hild by Nicola Griffith
Set in 7th-century Britain before the Viking Age, Hild follows a girl who becomes a powerful advisor to a king. It’s a rich portrait of the early medieval north that Viking fans often love.
14. Beowulf by Seamus Heaney (translator)
This Old English poem is set in Scandinavia and tells of the hero Beowulf, the monster Grendel and a dragon. Heaney’s translation is powerful and readable.
15. D’Aulaires’ Book of Norse Myths by Ingri d’Aulaire and Edgar Parin d’Aulaire
The colorful companion to the d’Aulaires’ Greek myths retells the stories of Odin, Thor and Loki for children. It’s a wonderful read-aloud.
Tips for Reading About the Vikings
- Start with Neil Price. It’s the most up-to-date picture of Viking life.
- Read a saga. Egil’s Saga shows how Vikings told their own stories.
- Forget the horned helmets. There’s no evidence Vikings wore them in battle.
- Look east as well as west. River Kings shows the Viking world reached Baghdad.
- Pair a novel with the history. The Last Kingdom brings Alfred’s England to life.
- Visit a museum. Viking ship museums in Oslo and Roskilde are unforgettable.
Related: best books on Ancient Greece and best fantasy books for book clubs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best book about the Vikings?
The Children of Ash and Elm by Neil Price is the best modern history, and The Sea Wolves by Lars Brownworth is a fast-paced introduction.
What is the best Viking novel?
The Last Kingdom by Bernard Cornwell is the most popular, and The Long Ships by Frans G. Bengtsson is a witty classic.
Did Vikings really reach North America?
Yes. Archaeologists found a Norse site at L’Anse aux Meadows in Newfoundland, and the sagas describe voyages to a land called Vinland around the year 1000.