Joe V. (jcvest) reviewed Eaters of the Dead (also published as The 13th Warrior) on + 34 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 3
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.
Laura M. (LMM) -
Helpful Score: 3
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.
Ekaterina Q. (Twilights-Angel) reviewed Eaters of the Dead (also published as The 13th Warrior) on + 4 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 3
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.
Elizabeth L. (morningdove3202) reviewed Eaters of the Dead (also published as The 13th Warrior) on + 9 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
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".
Sarah T. (sarah5775) reviewed Eaters of the Dead (also published as The 13th Warrior) on + 386 more book reviews
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.
Christa M. (Xa) reviewed Eaters of the Dead (also published as The 13th Warrior) on + 76 more book reviews
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.
Kristin M. (mcpenguin5) reviewed Eaters of the Dead (also published as The 13th Warrior) on + 93 more book reviews
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.
Reed B. (transatlantic) reviewed Eaters of the Dead (also published as The 13th Warrior) on + 7 more book reviews
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.
Ruby J. (rubys-reads) reviewed Eaters of the Dead (also published as The 13th Warrior) on + 9 more book reviews
Fascinating book--much better than the movie!
Kristy M. reviewed Eaters of the Dead (also published as The 13th Warrior) on + 13 more book reviews
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.
James M. reviewed Eaters of the Dead (also published as The 13th Warrior) on + 101 more book reviews
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.
Sheryl S. (bibliocat) -
LOVE the movie... now read the book!
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!
good book read it and then watch the movie the 13th warrior...
Subtitled, "The Manuscript of Ibn Fadlan, Relating His Experiences with the Northmen in AD 922." Historical fiction on Viking life and society.
Mike C. (oldgraybeard) reviewed Eaters of the Dead (also published as The 13th Warrior) on + 6 more book reviews
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
Tamirra C. reviewed Eaters of the Dead (also published as The 13th Warrior) on + 25 more book reviews
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.
Marcia C. (marciamarcia) -
A truly unique book about topics I had never even imagined before. What a surprise to find it thoroughly enjoyable and even educational!
Beowulf from an outsiders point of view. Truly enjoyed the novel and Mr. Chricton's commentary at the end.
Mary J. (mpmarus) reviewed Eaters of the Dead (also published as The 13th Warrior) on + 133 more book reviews
An imaginative retelling of the Beowulf saga
Sherri H. (mamadoodle) -
Much better than the movie - a must read.
Michael S. (Spathman) reviewed Eaters of the Dead (also published as The 13th Warrior) on + 10 more book reviews
An enjoyable story.
Crichton did a fantastic job of retelling Beowulf in a believable and entertaining way while working in details of two distinctly separate cultures. The narrator, Ibn Fadlan, is an Arabian emissary who winds up in a madcap adventure with these wild, dirty Norsemen. I felt that Ibn, although we're told at the beginning that he's an extremely reliable narrator, was kind of a snob the way he referred to these guys as filthy, like animals, unclean, etc. Yet he didn't mind partaking of their honey mead or ravaging their slave women. He was not allowed to drink fermented grape drinks but is okay with fermented honey drinks? Needless to say, I didn't care a bit for Ibn.
The story, though, brought back amazing memories of reading the adventure tale in high school. I loved the detail of the hunt, the chase, and the fights (well, maybe not that last one).
The cultural differences between the monotheistic Ibn and the polytheistic Norsemen interested me. Sprinkled throughout the book are tiny bits of conversation that shed light on the reasons for their beliefs. I think the last conversation Ibn has with the interpreter, Herger, sums it up in a beautiful and thought-provoking way. I do believe I now understand the logic behind polytheism. And the idea of Valhalla has never been presented so clearly - or given so much insight into why the Norsemen lived as they did, fighting so much.
The footnotes only add to the complexity of the story, completing the details with historical information to back them up. Oddly, though, at the end, Crichton included thoughts from scholars about the history behind the story and I felt myself shivering at the thought that it may not have been Cro-Magnon man killing Neanderthal man (Beowulf vs. Grendel and his furry mom) but a different one entirely.
Easy to read, short, and had short chapters.
This doesn't get five stars because women and slaves were treated horribly, which I realize was likely true to the time. But I don't have to like it and I'm not going to.
The story, though, brought back amazing memories of reading the adventure tale in high school. I loved the detail of the hunt, the chase, and the fights (well, maybe not that last one).
The cultural differences between the monotheistic Ibn and the polytheistic Norsemen interested me. Sprinkled throughout the book are tiny bits of conversation that shed light on the reasons for their beliefs. I think the last conversation Ibn has with the interpreter, Herger, sums it up in a beautiful and thought-provoking way. I do believe I now understand the logic behind polytheism. And the idea of Valhalla has never been presented so clearly - or given so much insight into why the Norsemen lived as they did, fighting so much.
The footnotes only add to the complexity of the story, completing the details with historical information to back them up. Oddly, though, at the end, Crichton included thoughts from scholars about the history behind the story and I felt myself shivering at the thought that it may not have been Cro-Magnon man killing Neanderthal man (Beowulf vs. Grendel and his furry mom) but a different one entirely.
Easy to read, short, and had short chapters.
This doesn't get five stars because women and slaves were treated horribly, which I realize was likely true to the time. But I don't have to like it and I'm not going to.
Gerhard O. (nccorthu) reviewed Eaters of the Dead (also published as The 13th Warrior) on + 569 more book reviews
I found it fascinating, though one must wonder how much is true and how much is 1001 nights or other odd mythology.
Frances H. reviewed Eaters of the Dead (also published as The 13th Warrior) on + 612 more book reviews
I really enjoyed reading this book.
Roberta C. (His-servant-4-life) reviewed Eaters of the Dead (also published as The 13th Warrior) on + 54 more book reviews
Excellent book, very suspensful. Some unsavory parts, so if you have a weak stomach - might not want to read.
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.
Carol S. (xmascarol) reviewed Eaters of the Dead (also published as The 13th Warrior) on + 261 more book reviews
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...
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...
Gary S. (Willman) - , reviewed Eaters of the Dead (also published as The 13th Warrior) on + 61 more book reviews
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.
Trivet-The-Fool -
(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...
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...
Ronald M. (Fasturtle) reviewed Eaters of the Dead (also published as The 13th Warrior) on + 593 more book reviews
Scary and a fast read.
Barbara B. (redhatter) reviewed Eaters of the Dead (also published as The 13th Warrior) on + 577 more book reviews
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.....
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.....
Cheryl N. reviewed Eaters of the Dead (also published as The 13th Warrior) on + 30 more book reviews
This book has a different cover and is called Eaters of the Dead.
Christina B. (anesthezea) reviewed Eaters of the Dead (also published as The 13th Warrior) on + 12 more book reviews
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
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.
Konnie K. (Nightcrawler) -
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.
The cover is not the same shown. It is olive green with a picture of a Viking boat on it.
