Embers of the Hands

A really great resource for taking a closer look at Norseman, or Vikings. I really enjoyed the depth of information included. I enjoyed the photos that were included as well.

When we strip away the mythology of Viking warriors and seafarers, what remains of the people who lived, loved, and died during this remarkable period? Eleanor Barraclough addresses this question in "Embers of the Hands: Hidden Histories of the Viking Age," reconstructing the lives of ordinary people through their material remains. Rather than focusing on raids and rulers, Barraclough examines artifacts like combs, toys, and runic inscriptions to reveal the experiences of those traditionally overlooked in historical accounts.

Barraclough challenges the conventional narrative of Viking history by highlighting the lives of women, children, enslaved people, and others who held no positions of power. Through careful analysis of everyday objects, Barraclough demonstrates how material culture can illuminate the complexities of Viking Age society and its social structures.

Barraclough's methodology is particularly effective in examining runic inscriptions, which provide direct insight into personal relationships, beliefs, and daily concerns. These sources reveal everything from love notes to political intrigue, demonstrating the literacy and expressiveness of a broader segment of society than previously assumed. Her analysis of artifacts like the "Hostage Stone" from the Isle of Inchmarnock and various runic amulets provides concrete evidence of the violence and vulnerability that characterized the period.

Barraclough excels in her treatment of religious transition, using material evidence to demonstrate how pagan and Christian beliefs coexisted and merged. The discovery of Thor's hammer pendants in Christian burials and coins featuring Christian crosses and pagan symbols illustrates the gradual and complex nature of religious change in Viking society.

While Barraclough's writing is academic, it remains accessible to a general audience. Barraclough integrates archaeological findings, sagas, chronicles, and legal codes to create a multifaceted view of Viking Age life. This approach gives readers a nuanced understanding of how ordinary people navigated their world.

"Embers of the Hands" significantly contributes to Viking studies by shifting focus from exceptional individuals to the broader population. Through careful analysis of material culture, Barraclough reveals how everyday objects can illuminate the lives of those who left few written records. This work will interest scholars seeking fresh perspectives on the Viking Age and general readers curious about the daily lives of people in medieval Scandinavia.

This review is of an advance reader copy provided by W.W. Norton & Company and NetGalley. The publication date is January 7, 2025.

I've always been fascinated by the Vikings. Much of what we know from pop culture isn't accurate, and some is totally false. This book dives into the history of the Vikings and the Viking age. We have found many Viking items from the past buried deep in the dirt. This book illuminates those items to tell us a story of the real Vikings. Sure, they were raiders, but they were also human. They enjoyed board games, they took hygiene seriously, and the Viking children did what children today do when they're bored, they doodled.

Overall, author Eleanor Barraclough did a great job at writing this as a sort of poetic love letter to the Vikings. It's full of information that can give you a good insight into what the Vikings truly were like.