The Last Viking

The True Story of King Harald Hardrada

By: Don Hollway

Narrated by: Mark Meadows

Bloomsbury presents The Last Viking by Don Hollway, read by Mark Meadows.

‘The Last Viking is a masterful and pulse-pounding narrative that transports the reader into the middle of the action.’ Carl Gnam, Military Heritage

Harald Sigurdsson burst into history as a teenaged youth in a Viking battle from which he escaped with little more than his life and a thirst for vengeance. But from these humble origins, he became one of Norway’s most legendary kings. The Last Viking is a fast-moving narrative account of the life of King Harald Hardrada, as he journeyed across the medieval world, from the frozen wastelands of the North to the glittering towers of Byzantium and the passions of the Holy Land, until his warrior death on the battlefield in England.

Combining Norse sagas, Byzantine accounts, Anglo-Saxon chronicles, and even King Harald’s own verse and prose into a single, compelling story, Don Hollway vividly depicts the violence and spectacle of the late Viking era and delves into the dramatic events that brought an end to almost three centuries of Norse conquest and expansion.©2021 Don Hollway (P)2021 Bloomsbury Publishing Plc

Critic reviews

"Riveting! [Listen to] this [audiobook] and be prepared to see it through to the end. Fascinating and thoroughly engaging!" (Edward Zapletal, History Magazine)

"The Last Viking is a masterful and pulse-pounding narrative that transports the [listener] into the middle of the action." (Carl Gnam, Military Heritage)

"The story pulls you in, and doesn't let go." (Stephen Harding, New York Times best-selling author of The Last Battle)

The relentless strength of Harald throughout his life.

The.story as told and read keeps focus on an extraordinary warrior king Harald. His life was led as a true Viking king like no other. His death in battle glory, even though defeated, was astoundingly fierce and in service to conquering. The listener feels the loss of the man whose life was forceful and true to raiding, would have no equal Viking replacement. Harald was the last Viking.

Fine history, good story telling

The author is limited in his ability to fashion the facts by the lack at-the-time chroniclers and original source material.. But unlike many historians he doesn't supplant what is known with his personal belief or opinion. I admire any historian who says "according to such and such or so and so this is what happened" and refrains from virtue signaling, judgment or unsourced speculation to fit an agenda. I also liked his somewhat flippant writing style - a sort of acknowledgment of his limitations – and unlike other reviewers who did not care for the narrator, I thought he did a wonderful job mirroring the author in tone and tenor. Nonetheless, this was not entirely scintillating (a"5")...until the last page, when the author remarked: "Men must be judged by the standards of their time... there was a certain honesty (about him)..in today's more Democratic times the ambitious use propaganda, marketing, and outright lies to achieve power and have their killing done for them by others and on a much larger scale.They make Harold who achieved his gains on the strength of his sword arm… Quaint.... times change and men who were once called heroes are cast down as villains while scoundrels are held up to acclaim all according to the prevailing narrative of the day." How very true particularly in this day and age and Here, the author nailed and deserves a top rating.. Some virtues transcend "presentism" - courage, honor, ambition for country and kin. The Last Viking was one of those

Fabulous

Loved this story and the narration. Insightful, intuitive and full of tiny observations and bits of information that fill in gaps I hadn’t already read. Loved it.

Enjoyable Bio of King Harald Hardrada of Norway!

Well researched biography of the life & times of King Harald Hardrada of Norway set in the mid-11th Century. Harald was extremely well traveled for the times & learned much about warfare & subjugation during these travels. Unfortunately, he did not learn much about leadership! His leadership style could best be described as tyrannical, frequently inflicting as much pain on his own people as on his enemies. With that said, I greatly enjoyed both Mr Hollway’s book & narration! Recommended!

Brings the Sagas to life.

A great book that is well told and well narrated. It holds one's attention.

informative and interesting

lived the story. very interesting to hear of all the adventures of King Herold of Norway.

Viking Odyssey

WOW this book is amazing, started me on a whole viking historical journey. It seems to me that this book succeeds because Harold’s life was like a Viking odyssey. So many different tests and challenges, peoples and places. it was endless entertaining and the narration was great.

A little too much filler

Perhaps the last half of the story could be edited a bit better leaving out those aspect that barely touched the Viking’s life.

Magnificent

Great depiction of one of histories most magnificent men, whose life was basically a videogame.

My 25th Great Grandfather 😊

Pretty damn cool reading a book about your own Grandfather, and learning just how badass he was. Ordering a couple hardcopies to keep in our family library.