Combines the latest research and discoveries with a humorous eye to take us inside the Viking world So you want to be a Viking? Vikings are the lords of the northern seas. Fame; glory; and wealth await those who brave storms and enemy spears to plunder far and wide in foreign lands. Who wouldn’t like to come home laden with silver; earning a reputation that will live on long after lesser men have been forgotten? This book tells you everything you need to know to become a successful Viking warrior in the tenth century.How to join a Viking war bandWhat to look for in a good Viking leaderHow to behave at a feastHow to choose the right weapons and armorHow to plunder a monastery and ransom a monkHow to navigate at sea 135 illustrations; 29 in color
#312315 in Books 2010-02-18 2010-02-18Ingredients: Example IngredientsOriginal language:EnglishPDF # 1 8.50 x 1.09 x 5.50l; 1.05 #File Name: 0495797189480 pages
Review
11 of 12 people found the following review helpful. Good Historical Narratives...Unsure of ConclusionsBy Michael GriswoldWhy Nations Go To War has become an iconic text in the study of war and peace. The tenth edition of the text includes chapters on the United States post 9-11 wars in Iraq and Afghanistan; the results of which are still unfolding before us. Stossenger's historical case studies from WW1 to present are readable and yet full of depth; which made the 432 pages that comprise this book just fly by as the reader is taking on a tragic journey into each presidents or dictators war room. The conclusions he draws are not so perfect; however.For Stossenger; war is rooted in misperceptions and diluted self-interests of individual leaders and decision makers. A group-think mentality seems to emerge as leaders bind themselves to courses of action and any person or intelligence information that dares question the dominant view is cast aside. I'm willing to buy in to a point; but I have two central problems with the whole idea that leaders make war; as persuasive as the argument may be:1. One leader can't just make war; particularly in democratic societies where there's a military establishment; various advisors and public opinion that a politician needs to worry him/herself with.2. This implies that if a different leader where in charge that war may not occur. We can't say such a thing. I'm particularly thinking of the Vietnam case where four successive US Presidents--both Republican and Democrat deepened involvement in Vietnam. If we begin engaging in if...then thinking then we've lost the war against understanding war; in my view.Bottom line: Stossenger is golden on history; but his ideas are part of a debate that has raged for decades. Pick up the book and make up your own mind on the links between misperception and war.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. great bookBy Family shopperGreat book.2 of 3 people found the following review helpful. Why Nations Go to WarBy Boogie womanI bought this for my son's World Topics class for his senior year. Part of his summer assignment was to read the first chapter. He I went on a long road trip this summer; so he read the first chapter out loud so we could both enjoy it. We weren't sure what to expect and history is not his favorite subject. Sometimes history books can be dull to read; but we found this book to be very interesting and easy to follow. It really helped open our eyes to the real story behind the start of World War I. I look forward to reading more of it. The biggest drawback to this book is the price. I honestly can't imagine why it is so expensive.
