Book Reviews of Eaters of the Dead (also published as The 13th Warrior)

After skimming through the other reviews...I am surprised that so few mention the key thing about this book---Crichton wrote in on a dare....it is an imaginative retelling of the events behind BEOWULF, using an real historical figure (Ibn Fadlan) as a foil for the story. Read with that in mind, this is a great book! If you aren't a fan of historical fiction or literary reworks, skip this.

Not one of Crichton's better books, imo. I picked it up to read on a plane, and read most of it there, but I didn't care enough to pick it up and finish it later.

Much better than it sounds. A very, very different work for Crichton. It is NOT a horror book, it's historical/action/adventure. The ending is a tad of a let-down because of the nature of the work (read it and you'll see what I mean), but it was really interesting.

Excellent! If you loved the movie, you will love the book. The book goes into more detail than the movie, but I should note, it's written as if it were a true account of real events, but it is "historical fiction".

The only complaints I have is that the 1st person narrative account was a bit difficult to get in to at first, and the footnotes, while insightful, tended to distract from the story. Otherwise, it's a quick read and was entertaining enough to keep me turning pages - and authentic enough to truly have me believing it was all real until I read the factual note at the end, lol.

Another spectacular Michael Crichton book. He is unlike any other author I have read, and I find all of his books riveting, as this one is.

I really like the unique way this was told, and the historical facts about the vikings and the other people in that time period was really interesting. The novel is not one that triggers constant suspense, but I liked the fact that it was unique and told in an interesting way. It is set up like the story is an ancient writing found in the modern day, and the illusion is very complete. I really enjoyed this.

This is a pretty awesome book. It's not actually a retelling of Beowulf it's the authors rendition of what happened to inspire Beowulf. Like all legends it had to come from somewhere and this is Chriton's Idea of where Beowulf came from. It's a little different from the movie but not so much that a fan of the movie wouldn't enjoy it. It gets a 4 out of 5

In the year A.D. 922 a refined Arabb courtier, rep of the powerful Caliph of Bagdad, encounters a party of Viking warriors on their journey to the barbaric north.

In the year A.D. 922, a refined Arab courtier, representative of the powerful Caliph of Bagdad, encounters a party of Viking warriors on their journey to the barbaric North. He is appalled by Viking customs--the wanton sexuality of their pale, angular women. their disregard for cleanliness, their cold-blooded human sacrifices. But only in the depths of the Northland does he learn the horrifying truth: he has been enlisted to combat a terror that comes under cover of night to slaughter the Vikings and devou their flesh.

I was sceptcal at first but afer I got into and realized it was kind of historical and that it was also the basis of Beowolf I got more iterested in it

Fascinating book--much better than the movie!

I found it fascinating, though one must wonder how much is true and how much is 1001 nights or other odd mythology.

Scary and a fast read.

I really enjoyed reading this book.

The cover is not the same shown. It is olive green with a picture of a Viking boat on it.

(from back cover)

In A.D. 922 Ibn Fadlan, the representative of the ruler of Bagdad, City of Peace, crosses the Caspian Sea and journeys up the valley of the Volga on a mission to the King of Saqaliba. Before he arrives, he meets with Buliwyf, a powerful Viking chieftan who is summoned by his beseiged relatives to the north. Buliwyf must return to Scandinavia and save his countrymen and family from the monsters of the mist.

Join them on their stunning adventure to the mysterious land where the day's length does not equal the night's...where after sunset the sky burns in streaks of color...where Buliwyf and his band of brothers must lock in mortal combat with the dark, hairy brutes who threaten to empty the land...

I'm a Crichton fan, so I snapped up what looked like a new novel. (The old "Slap a new cover on it- the dummies will eat it up." trick.) This one is an antique- 1976 copyrights. You might like this improbable effort just to see how far Crichton has improved as a storyteller. I gave up on it.

I usually am not a Crichton fan, but this book I loved. The story was good, the time-frame was interesting. Way better than the movie!

Epic tale of the encounter in 922 AD between a refined Arab courtier and a group of Vikings. The Arab is taken to the North and shares in their heroic adventures. A well written story of clashing values and customs.

good book read it and then watch the movie the 13th warrior...

LOVE the movie... now read the book!

A truly unique book about topics I had never even imagined before. What a surprise to find it thoroughly enjoyable and even educational!

I didn't read it. My husband did. He won't tell me diddley squat about a book because he "doesn't want to ruin it for me." I've sat on it for several years. I doubt I'm going to get around to reading it. My loss, your gain.

Subtitled, "The Manuscript of Ibn Fadlan, Relating His Experiences with the Northmen in AD 922." Historical fiction on Viking life and society.

This would rate zero stars if the idea were not so interesting. Sadly, it is at least as bad in execution, and as pitiful in research as usual for Crichton.

From Back Cover....
In the year a.d. 922, a refined Arab courtier representative of the powerful Caliph of Bagdad, encounters a party of Viking warriers on their journey to the barbaric North. He is apalled by Viking customs - the wanton sexuality of their pale, angular women, their disregard for cleanliness, their cold-blooded human sacrifices. But only in the depths of the Northland does he learn the horrifying truth: he has been enlisted to combat a terror that comes under cover of night to slaughter the Vikings and devour their flesh.....

n A.D. 922 Ibn Fadlan, the representative of the ruler of Bagdad, City of Peace, crosses the Caspian sea and journeys up the valley of the Volga on a mission to the King of Saqaliba. Before he arrives, he meets with Buliwyf, a powerful Viking chieftain who is summoned by his besieged relatives to the North. Buliwyf must return to Scandanavia and save his countrymen and families from the monsters of the mist.... -- Amazon.com

Much better than the movie - a must read.

Great story...I loved it. I am a big fan of the Viking era so if you are too then you will like this...set is the year A.D. 922.

Excellent book, very suspensful. Some unsavory parts, so if you have a weak stomach - might not want to read.

I really enjoyed reading this book.

An imaginative retelling of the Beowulf saga

Beowulf from an outsiders point of view. Truly enjoyed the novel and Mr. Chricton's commentary at the end.

In A.D. 922 ibn Fadlan, the representative of the ruler of Bagdad, City of Peace, crosses the CAspain sea and journeys up the valley of the Volga on a mission to the King of Saqaliba. Before he arrives, he meets with Bullwyf, a powerful Viking chieftain who is summoned by his beseigned relatives to the north. Bullwyf must return to Scandinavia and save his country men and family from the monsters of the mist.

Join them on thsi stunning adventure to the mysterious land where the day's length does not equal the night's...where after sunset the sky burns in streaks of color...where Bullwyf and his band of brothers must lock in mortal combat with the dark, hairy brutes who threaten to empty the land...

An enjoyable story.

This book has a different cover and is called Eaters of the Dead.