If you think the Vikings were just savage brutes who stole and killed, you’re missing out on a rich and complex history. Keep reading to find out more about this compelling civilization.

They’re widely known as raiders, pirates, invaders, and savages, but despite their fearsome reputation (or perhaps because of it), Vikings continue to fascinate us today.

And it’s not hard to see why.

They were brave, rebellious, and fierce fighters—plus, based on Hollywood’s portrayals, they were quite good-looking. While media highlights their violence and toughness, there’s more to the Viking culture than just conquering lands. The Vikings were not just warriors but also traders, explorers, and lawmakers—and many of their influences are still felt in the modern world.

In Uncovering Vikings History, you’ll find out just what the Vikings were capable of…and appreciate these trailblazing seafarers even more. Here is just a fraction of what you will discover inside:

• An inside look into the lifestyle, beliefs, and glory days of these Scandinavian sea warriors
• The truth behind Hollywood’s fanciful depictions of Vikings—what Vikings really looked like based on archeological evidence
• Why the Vikings owed a lot of their success to their daily diet—and the surprising thing they have in common with today’s bodybuilders
• Ragnar Lothbrok, Erik the Red, Cnut the Great, and other notable Vikings, including one who converted to Christianity as a negotiation tactic
• How the Vikings inspired the modern-day soap opera—plus other astounding cultural contributions you wouldn’t expect from a bunch of so-called barbarians
• How the Vikings went from worshipping Thor and the other Norse gods to revering the one God of Christianity—all without violent conflict
• The historic battle that ended the era of the Vikings and gave rise to a new group of conquerors
• And much more