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The Normans: From Raiders to Kings
The Normans: From Raiders to Kings
The Normans: From Raiders to Kings
Audiobook7 hours

The Normans: From Raiders to Kings

Written by Lars Brownworth

Narrated by James C. Lewis

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

4/5

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About this audiobook

There is much more to the Norman story than the Battle of Hastings. These descendants of the Vikings who settled in France, England, and Italy-but were not strictly French, English, or Italian-played a large role in creating the modern world. They were the success story of the Middle Ages: a footloose band of individual adventurers who transformed the face of medieval Europe. During the course of two centuries, they launched a series of extraordinary conquests, carving out kingdoms from the North Sea to the North African coast.

In The Normans, Lars Brownworth follows their story, from the first shock of a Viking raid on an Irish monastery to the exile of the last Norman Prince of Antioch. In the process, he brings to vivid life the Norman tapestry's rich cast of characters: figures like Rollo the Walker, William Iron-Arm, Tancred the Monkey King, and Robert Guiscard. The Normans presents a fascinating glimpse of a time when a group of restless adventurers had the world at their fingertips.

"An evocative journey through the colourful and dangerous world of early medieval Europe"-Jonathan Harris, author of Byzantium and the Crusades
LanguageEnglish
Release dateOct 28, 2014
ISBN9781494576196
The Normans: From Raiders to Kings

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Reviews for The Normans

Rating: 4.238396725738396 out of 5 stars
4/5

237 ratings68 reviews

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  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Este o carte foarte interesantă și bine scrisă. Recomand cu încredere.
  • Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    3/5
    Originally posted at: A Girl that Likes BooksSuccess in life flowed not from titles or position, but from a willingness to seize what one wantedWhy I read this bookI received a copy of this book through the LybraryThing Early Readers program in exchange of an honest review.What the book is aboutThis non fiction book takes us through the journey of the Normans; from their Viking origins arriving to England and France all through their journey south and their role in the crusades.First impressionsThe language in the book is easy to follow with good narrative, considering it is a history book. I don't know if it was only in the e-book version but there are a bit of editing issues such as weird spaces and typos here and there. The introductory line of main characters as well as the genealogical tree help the reader not to get lost through several generations of Normans.Final thoughtsThe book is very well researched and for a person who likes reading about history as I do this is a very source to learn about this group. It was very interesting to learn that as conquerors, the Normans would not impose their culture, but they would rather respect the one already present while imposing their political power. This made for happier citizens and hence loyal people and in my opinion it was a very smart political move. While I understand that for the time it would've been hard to find records of the women involved, it would've been nice to learn a bit more about them. One critic I would have is that sometimes the book felt like it kept coming back to situations already described in previous chapters, but the author referred to them as if it was the first time we heard of it and this for me was a bit annoying because it felt like there wasn't a good flow of the different stories. In all I thinks it was a good book. It feels to me that the chapters were treated as episodes of the author's podcast, which would explain the coming back of characters that I mentioned. This would be an advantage if you want to pick up the story at any chapter or episode. I learned a lot and I would like to read the author's other book: The Sea Wolves: A History of the Vikings
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    Most history books treat Sicily as a side issue, and only through the artifacts in museums do we get a glimpse of the culture of Norman Palermo. In this very readable book, Brownworth brings this kingdom to centre stage. This not only sheds light on one of the more interesting dynasties of medieval Europe, but also helps explain much of the 'larger' history.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    A nice and brief overview of a non-main stream historical topic and group of people. Would recommend to anyone interested in the Normans and that doesn’t have much of a background on them. The only critique I have is that this book was a little unbalanced between its coverage on the Normans in England and those of southern Italy and Sicily (to which it gives more attention. Other than that I enjoyed it. It is a bit dry but if you have a passion for history and rags to riches stories then you will like this.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Excellent and captivating! I am looking forward to his other books.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Great book! Very well-read. For its length, it is difficult to believe it only covers a couple hundred years. It goes into a lot of detail of the people and places of the period.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    I thought I knew a decent among about the Normans. I mean, I've read a couple of books focusing on Normandy's rulers, and obviously I don't think a British schoolchild gets all the way through education without getting the date 1066 hammered into them and at least a vague idea about William the Conqueror and the Domesday Book. But! This actually goes a bit further and looks at other Norman rulers, who pushed into Italy and Sicily -- something that I wasn't really aware of as stemming from Norman origins. I've read bits about this before, but never from this perspective. I knew nothing about the descent of the family or the web of feuds between them, Byzantium, various popes, and the German kingdom/s of the time.All in all, pretty interesting, and well-written. I'm not sure about "witty", which another review mentions, but it isn't a chore to read. It does seem to have a reasonable number of sources and footnotes, which is another thing that makes me wary when it comes to popular histories. All in all, glad I won this from LibraryThing Early Reviewers.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    If you enjoy English history, you will love this book! Brownworth presents an entertaining, yet informative, look at the Normans. The writer brings humor and panache to the subject matter. The author's narrow focus on one family provides an opportunity for a more intimate view than other works on the Normans. Brownworth's voice as an author is exceptional. Highly recommended.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    I very informative and enjoyable read. I received a digital copy so it took me much longer to read it but it was worth it. This is one of my favorite historical subjects so I was happy to see a book on the topic that was readable for a broader audience. I would recommend this book.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    I was pleased to read this advance (in ebook form) copy of The Normans: from raiders to kings by Lars Brownworth; published by Crux Publishing Ltd. in the UK. Not being familiar with Mr. Brownworth, I did a bit of preliminary research on the author before I started.Mr. Brownworth is an author, speaker, historian and teacher. He has written 3 books, Lost to the West: the forgotten Byzantine Empire that rescued western civilization; 12 Byzantine Rulers: the history of the Byzantine Empire; and The Normans: from raiders to kings. A new book, The sea wolves: a history of the Vikings is due in the fall of 2014.He attracted attention for his book, 12 Byzantine Rulers, and a subsequent podcast of the material. I listened to several episodes of the podcast (which is free in ITunes) and became very interested in the material and Mr. Brownworth's presentation of the material. I noticed that Mr. Brownworth had a podcast of The Normans, and I began listening before I started to read the book. It is very easy to follow along with the podcast - Mr. Brownworth's delivery and mastery of the material created a very interesting and enjoyable history lesson. I greatly recommend the podcast: if you like audio; if you are interested in a concise summary only and if you don't mind the absence of visuals and access points.I like and recommend visuals and access points. There is nothing like a good map or footnote to get me excited and I began (as I always do) with the cover. The cover is a portrait/model of a Norman knight slightly in the background of the Bayeux Tapestry (a tapestry from the 11th century which depicts events leading up to the Norman Conquest in 1066). This is fabulous cover art and the picture, with its mellow color tones, welcomed me into the book. (I am a big believer in 'cover art' and think an illustration can create interest in a particular title.)The book contains many excellent access points, also, that guide the reader throughout his/her reading. These include maps; lists of personages, places and terms; a prologue and epilogue; a brief explanation of the Papal States and Romans, Holy Romans and Byzantines; a list of various dynasties and emperors; a family tree of the House of Hauteville; a table of contents and general introduction. Detailed footnotes and a bibliography of primary sources and more modern works follow the text. I would have used an index, but an index was not included. I think the very detailed information and the many people and places to keep track of warranted an index.The writing style is very conversational and is easy to follow. Any information that requires added explanation is footnoted. I felt as though the author was speaking directly to me and offering me very personal information about these people, places and events.Though I am no expert on Norman source material, the bibliography seemed very extensive and I did look at several of the sources online.The Normans is a book full of fascinating details. I began taking notes instantly in the hope of keeping all the names and places straight in my mind and soon had a small notebook full of notes and questions. Some details that I found particularly interesting include:1. Who exactly were the Normans? They were not strictly French and their most famous king ruled in England. They began as marauding Viking groups. (see the introduction)2. I like reading about 'Ah-Ha' moments that changed history. The Vikings were innovative shipbuilders and developed a boat that eliminated the need for a keel. Viking ships could sail up even the shallowest rivers and this allowed them to be particularly lethal. (see the prologue)3. The adaptability of the Normans. This trait was mentioned several times in several chapters and led to their success. (see the introduction)4. Greek fire - an oil-based substance funneled through pipes under water to burn ships (see chapter 9)5. Several times I had to stop reading because I couldn't stand any of these people anymore - Normans, Italians, Muslims, French, Germans, the Popes, etc. The horrible brutality and viciousness of their feuds, wars, and conquests, plus their total disregard for human life made me dizzy at times. The breaking of oaths, agreements and treaties was also hard to comprehend (and keep track of). It often makes for disturbing reading. 6. There were very interesting subplots to the Crusades. (ex. Bohemond I in chapter 10)7. There were only 2 women listed in the Who's Who of the Norman World - Adelaide (c.1075-1118) and Emma (c.985-1012). I want to read more about them.8. I often read The Normans with other reference books at hand which were helpful in their visuals. For example, I am interested in weaving and embroidery and tapestry and seeing various panels of the Bayeux Tapestry was thrilling; or reading about the early Anglo-Saxons and then seeing a picture of a still-standing church or tomb is very helpful in breathing life into such 'long-ago' history. Visuals/Illustrations compliment a text and would have been a welcome addition here.9. Norman achievements were astounding, however brief. They were powerful for only a few centuries, but that power effected a shift. Norman energy transformed Europe.10. Lars Brownworth has a blog - Finding History, where he answers questions (ex. What happened to Tancred's other sons?)11. Lars Brownworth's podcasts and podcast websites are very rich in information and are easily accessible.Would I recommend this book to anyone? Absolutely! History is about people and Mr. Brownworth helps these people come alive with his research and writing. In knowing about and understanding them, I think we understand a bit more about ourselves. This is a must-read for any history enthusiast.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    An interesting history of the Normans and their roles in France, England, Germany, Italy, Sicily and the Crusades.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    This book sets out to answer the question of how Western Europe, which was developmentally behind the Middle East, rose to dominance over only 2 centuries. It seems that it was due to only a few generations of Normans who quickly transformed themselves from raiders to rulers. Mostly, each chapter follows one colorful character and traces the line of descent. The Normans descended from a Viking named Rollo who occupied northern France. Around 1060, the Hauteville family began to spread from northern France to Italy and beyond to the Crusades. Generations later, the Normans ruled parts of Italy but fought among themselves and succumbed to decadence and lack of heirs.This a fascinating book, far too complicated and detailed to digest in one reading. I will definitely return to it as I read other books about medieval Europe to refresh my memory about the big picture of the Normans. Useful maps and family trees, too.Note: I received a free copy of this book in return for an honest review.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    The Normans: From Raiders to Kings is an extremely readable and approachable popular history of the Normans. Mr. Brownworth does an able job of covering the most important and/or entertaining parts of the history of the Normans, from before the founding of the Duchy to the end of their rule in Sicily. Though this is a rather short popular history, Mr. Brownworth does a pretty good job of weaving a continuous narrative over the events, and occasionally breaks out of the Norman-centric view of events to briefly cover the actions and motives of other major players. The book is a quick read, but by the end of it I was intrigued enough to move on to a more in-depth book on an important figure in Norman history (Thomas Becket by Professor Frank Barlow). In my opinion, a popular history that draws the reader to investigate its historical subject more deeply is a great success.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    I received this book through the Early Reviewers programme. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this well-told history of the Normans. The writing was engaging and not bogged down by an endless litany of facts and dates. The author managed to make stories of many people trying the same conquest over and over again actually enjoyable. It is very well researched and the author clearly knows what he is talking about, illuminating one of the lesser-known portions of European history. The only small issue I had with the book was that the author jumps through time several times. He would tell of an event, then saying something like, "This led to the event X in the year XXX, ..." Then would come some information about the event in question, and then, without warning, the author would go back in time to explain the contributing causes of the event, the reader still believing that what he describes takes place after the event. These jumps in time are not marked, and did confuse me the first few times they happened, but they did not detract from the entertaining read. Overall a book I enjoyed very much.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    This was a very indepth and well researched history of the Normans in Western Europe. I enjoyed the book and did learn quite a bit of new information as to why Europe is Europe.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    I love history and I love historical books. This one did not let me down. It's a wonderful read.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    This is a wonderful historical book and a great read. If you enjoy early medival history, this is a book to read, it encourages you to learn more about this period. A group of Vikings who takes control of Normandy, goes forth to take England while others like to Hauetvilles' seek and find their fortunes in Italy and on. This has been a fascinating read! I am looking forward to reading his book on the Byzantium's and Lost on the West.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    This book was a very readable account of some of the main figures in Norman history. If you're looking for a scholarly work, this isn't for you. However, if you're looking for something to read casually, it's a very enjoyable book. Brownworth does a good job at breaking the pieces into manageable chunks - so you could easily read this book on lunch breaks, travel, etc. The author engages the reader by making the historical figures very human, without over-doing it as many popular historians do. I'd recommend this to anyone interested in getting more involved in the time period, especially if they have little background in the era.Note: If you don't want to read the book or you'd like a nice supplement, Brownworth has also assembled a podcast around this book. I read the book and then listened to the podcast, and they are almost identical.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    Ive always enjoyed a good bit of historical non-fiction, but the early medieval period has mostly passed me by before. I never previously really thought about the Normans outside of William the Conqueror. This book did a very good job of filling that gap. By keeping it's narratives tightly focused on a small handful of Norman dynasties, it deftly manages to demonstrate the impact of the Normans on the wider world.My only quibble, at any point in the book, was the way the Vikings were reduced to simple barbarians, consistently described in animalistic language. What makes this more jarring is that the author has written a similar book about the Vikings (which I'm tempted to pick up). This oversimplification doesn't appear to extend to the other cultures referenced in the book, though, and it really is only a minor quibble.In terms of practical considerations, I'd suggest picking up a paper copy of this book. The maps were too small to read on an ereader (though may be easier to see on a computer or tablet screen) and it was frustrating having all the family trees at the beginning, rather than by the relevant chapters.If you're looking to get a better sense of early medieval europe, or to put certain historical figures into a wider context, then I thoroughly recommend The Normans. I don't know if it would be of much use to someone already immersed in the period, but coming to it from the outside it was very informative.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    Other reviewers have done a good job of describing this book so I'll just add a little bit more. It was an interesting book that concentrated mostly on a part of the Norman history of which I knew the least. I was not aware of how much Normans influenced Sicilian and southern Italian history. I knew some about the Normans in France and England as well as their Viking ancestry, so reading more details about the Norman families that went to Sicily and Italy was pretty interesting. I thought the author did a good job of bringing in the probable emotional and mental aspects of how the ruling Normans thought, fought and lived without taking too many liberties in assuming too much. This was a time period that was probably lightly documented by contemporaries but enough exists to allow a good historian to tell a great story. Mr. Brownworth does a fine job balancing what is known with what was possibly motivating these historical figures. Recommended for anyone interested in history involving Normans, the Crusades, the Catholic church and Europe during the early middle ages.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    This book was a delightful surprise. I actually thought it was a historical novel, when I requested it, from Library Thing. From the background of "where were the Normans really from?"(and surprisingly they did not originate in Normandy. They were really Vikings.) to the stories of different Norman kings, this book held my interest to the very end.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    "Who exactly were The Normans? They settled in France but were not strictly French. Their most famous King ruled over England but they could be Norse or Italian. They appear in the story of Robin Hood as villains but at the same time are regarded as the founders of the English state who established modern law and eliminated slavery." This is an edited quote from the introduction of this historical novel. The book is an essential read for anyone wanting to familiarize themselves with European history and it's an easy read, even for those who are not students of history. Many history books are dull reading by the nature of their content. You could never place this book into that category. As a student of History for over 60 years, I would rate it as one of the best examples of European History generally.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    The Normans were a group that I knew nothing about beyond the fact that they are why part of France is called ‘Normandy’ and that William the Conqueror was one, so I was happy to get this book. It’s a very fast read; Brownworth doesn’t dwell on the details of battles (although the dates and statistics are there) but concentrates on the personalities- and the Normans provided some compelling personalities. I’d always thought of the Normans as being French, but they were Vikings. At different times various Normans settled in and ruled parts of Great Britain, France, Italy and Sicily, and even parts of north Africa. Most of the Normans who went out and conquered areas did so because there was a shortage of land in their birth families. Some of them founded monasteries, built churches and libraries, and even created organized and codified rule rather than basing government decisions on whims and who was the favorite at the time. Obviously, they weren’t all simply northern barbarians. They were greedy, ambitious and took a lot of chances that other rulers didn’t and in some cases it paid off. Paid off not just for them, but, in the end, for Europe. It was under their influence that western Europe started emerging from the dark ages. The book was a very fast, engaging read. There are maps and a who’s who in the front of the book so that one doesn’t get lost- although with the habit rulers have to naming their heirs after themselves, I still found myself confused at times. Covering over 200 years and most of Europe, it’s interesting to see how and why areas changed hands so frequently. The book isn’t of great depth, but it gives all the highlights
  • Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    3/5
    It's taken me some time to work through this book, and thus to write this review. I found the book to be well-written and informative, but it didn't delve as deeply as I might have liked as a scholar. It still provides a decent introduction to aspects of the Normans that may not be well-known, in a format that made the information easy to digest and understand.I received a free copy of this book from the publisher as part of an early review giveaway, but all opinions presented here are purely my own.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    A popular history of the Northmen (Vikings) influence on Europe primarily during a two century period in the Middle Ages. I was aware of the Viking roots of Normandy in France, but had not known they spread into Italy, Sicily, Byzantium, and North Africa, as well as the better known 1066 invasion of England. Brownworth provides a well-written, and adequately researched, narrative of a brutal, cunning, and violence-prone people, who profoundly influenced the boundaries of Europe and Western law development. Lots of fascinating characters; the occasional love story; and war, war, war. All of the Norman kings in Sicily were highly educated and spoke many languages. The last one was a religious skeptic and scientist. This was a fun and easy read, but I would have liked to see more about the intellectual and governmental contributions of this fractious tribe.Note: I received a free copy of this book from the publisher through an early reader program, but the opinions in this review are my own.
  • Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    3/5
    A good pop narrative of the Normans and their comparatively outsized influence in the Middle Ages. It occasionally falls into the trap of favoring fancy over facts for the purposes of telling a good tale, but as I said, this is a pop narrative, not designed to be a rigorous academic work. A bit disconnected in its structure, but that can be the challenge of trying to give strong focus to each competing parallel series of individuals. The author also makes this available in a slightly different rendition as a free podcast for those who might be interested, but prefer to engage with the material through their ears.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    I read this book as a free giveaway on Librarything.com for an honest review. The Normans is a non-fiction book that reads like a fun, historical novel. I love the evolution of France and its people and didn't know much about the Normans. I cannot attest to the accuracy of the facts, but it is an interesting and engaging book to read. It gives much information about the lives of key characters and also gives insights to their personalities. It wasn't a super-fast read for me. It did require a little concentration. But, if this author wrote another book of this nature, I would certainly read it.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    Enjoyable history of the growth of the Normans and there transformation from Viking raiders to respectable Normans. The author chronicles their conquest of Normandy , England and the Kingdom of Sicily. He highlights their importance in bolstering "reforming Popes" and their influence on the Crusades. This book brings forward some remarkable figures in Medieval European History as William the Conquerer , Robert Guiscard , Bohemond and the "two Rogers" ,who helped mould Western Civilisation.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    Brownworth, Lars. The Normans: From Raiders to Kings. UK: Crux Publishing Ltd, 2014. Ebook. Kindle RRP: $3.73 via Amazon.Lars Brownworth’s account of the Norman diaspora is witty and concise. Brownworth makes the best use of humour to keep the reader engaged while offering precision through constant reference to events and people throughout the course of the novel. Unlike some historical accounts Brownworth’s examination takes a holistic and interconnected approach, showing history as a dynamic progression rather than a snapshot of events. In each account of people and places intricate tapestries are created in which events, near and far, are placed to create a feeling of lived history. In my own reading experience I’ve found some historical accounts localise events and thus create a sense of being outside time, Brownworth’s ability to weave history together while maintaining focus on the crux of his exploration results in a very enjoyable read.One of the ways in which Brownworth creates humour (and I did find myself suppressing outbursts of laughter while reading) is by reflecting on the events that he details. This book is not just a relay of ‘this person did this, this happened, and then this was the result’. Brownworth engages with the material making comments, observations and asides, such as detailing primary sources, “Neighbouring chroniclers (rolling their eyes no doubt)…”. While these techniques undoubtedly improve the story, they do tarnish the validity of the events. Brownworth attributes thoughts and feelings, building character that draws the reader close and makes the book very engaging, but it is at the expense of impartiality in historical recounting. My suggestion: get the book, enjoy it and follow it up with your own research if your interest so dictates.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    I found this book to be a very interesting read. I knew very little, if anything, about the Normans before picking it up. Brownworth is a good writer, and I felt he does a great job bringing the history of the Normans to life. I found myself becoming invested in many of the characters; indeed, it almost feels like reading a novel. Overall, I liked this book and felt that it provided a great overview of a people and an era that I had had scant exposure to previously.