The Real Valkyrie: The Hidden History of Viking Warrior Women by Nancy Marie Brown
327 Pages
Publisher: St. Martin’s Press
Release Date: August 31, 2021
Nonfiction, Viking, Women, Warriors, Norse
The book is divided into the following chapters.
Introduction: A Valkyrie’s Grave
Chapter 1: Hervor’s Song
Chapter 2: Gunnhild Mother-of-Kings
Chapter 3: The Town Beneath the Shining Hall
Chapter 4: Little “Hel-Skins”
Chapter 5: Queen Asa’s Revenge
Chapter 6: The Winter Nights Feast
Chapter 7: The Valkyries’ Task
Chapter 8: The Feud
Chapter 9: The Queen of Orkney
Chapter 10: The Tragedy of Brynhild
Chapter 11: Shield-Maids
Chapter 12: The Red Girl
Chapter 13: Slave Girls
Chapter 14: The Slave Route to Birka
Chapter 15: Red Earth
Chapter 16: A Birka Warrior
Chapter 17: The Kaftan
Chapter 18: The East Way
Chapter 19: At Linda’s Stone
Chapter 20: “Gerzkr” Caps
Chapter 21: Queen Olga’s Revenge
Chapter 22: Death of a Valkyrie
This book begins with the uncovering of a Viking warrior’s grave. The warrior was buried with arrows, a bow, game pieces, and two horses. It was assumed the warrior was male until DNA testing proved the skeleton to be female. This is the strongest evidence of warrior women. The author provides thoroughly documented information. It is hard to dispute the information and I found the book not only informative but educational. I was surprised to learn they traveled to Bagdad and parts of Asia for trading. Also, it was interesting to learn about their participation in the slave trade. This is a must read for anyone interested in Norse history, Valkyries, or women’s’ studies.
