The Viking Age (793-1066) was an explosive time in history. Scandinavian adventurers carried on sleek dragon-prow ships set out in all directions to explore, trade, war, and make their fortunes. But these men and women were not just opportunists and mercenaries. They would prove to be a transformative force everywhere they went. They founded kingdoms, and new domains formed to resist them. They re-established trade from the Silk Roads to the misty lands beyond the known boundaries of the known world. They changed the very trajectory of history. Sons of Vikings is a different kind of Viking book. This book tells the stories of the Viking Age through the men and women who lived it. You will learn about Ragnar Lothbrok and the dawn of the Viking phenomenon, how Rollo changed France, Alfred's battles for England, the adventures of Ivar the Boneless in Ireland, Floki's discovery of Iceland, the mystery of Lagertha the Shield Maiden, Olga the Viking mother of Russia, Bjorn Ironside's voyage to the Mediterranean, and much more. Instead of merely presenting facts, chronologies, or geographical data, these stories convey an understanding that will stick with you long after the back cover is closed. Sons of Vikings is meticulously researched from over 100 different works including nearly 40 primary sources. But is also not afraid to challenge conventional beliefs and offer new perspectives. It is the perfect introduction for the casual fan of Vikings in television and popular culture. But it also provides a fresh take for the well-read history enthusiast. From myths, legends, sagas, and stories, to the most recent archeology and DNA research, this book brings the Viking Age to life.