Laughing Shall I Die: Lives and Deaths of the Great Vikings

'an exhilarating, mind-expanding appraisal and retelling of Viking history'
— Michael Dirda, Washington Post

'a fast-paced, exhilarating account of the psychology of the marauding Vikings'
— Wall Street Journal

'Spirited, engaging and frequently very funny, this book is as memorable and enjoyable as the medieval stories it explores'
— BBC History Magazine

In this robust new account of the Vikings, Tom Shippey explores their mindset, and in particular their fascination with scenes of heroic death.

Key Highlights:

• Recounts many of the great bravura scenes of Old Norse literature, including:
  • The Fall of the House of the Skjoldungs
  • The clash between the two great longships Ironbeard and Long Serpent
  • The death of Thormod the skald

The most exciting book on Vikings for a generation, Laughing Shall I Die presents them for what they were: not peaceful explorers and traders, but bloodthirsty warriors and marauders.