Due to a sudden, unexpected passing in the family a few years ago and another more recently and my subsequent (mental) health issues stemming from that, I was unable to download this book in time to review it before it was archived as I did not visit this site for several years after the bereavements. This meant I didn't read or venture onto netgalley for years as not only did it remind me of that person as they shared my passion for reading, but I also struggled to maintain interest in anything due to overwhelming depression. I was therefore unable to download this title in time and so I couldn't give a review as it wasn't successfully acquired before it was archived. The second issue that has happened with some of my other books is that I had them downloaded to one particular device and said device is now defunct, so I have no access to those books anymore, sadly.

This means I can't leave an accurate reflection of my feelings towards the book as I am unable to read it now and so I am leaving a message of explanation instead. I am now back to reading and reviewing full time as once considerable time had passed I have found that books have been helping me significantly in terms of my mindset and mental health - this was after having no interest in anything for quite a number of years after the passings. Anything requested and approved will be read and a review written and posted to Amazon (where I am a Hall of Famer & Top Reviewer), Goodreads (where I have several thousand friends and the same amount who follow my reviews) and Waterstones (or Barnes & Noble if the publisher is American based). Thank you for the opportunity and apologies for the inconvenience.

Interesting, fascinating and comprehensive: for every adult who used to be obsessed with Vikings as a child! For lovers of history and anthropology and mythology. I genuinely can't recommend this enough!!

This was excellent- The whol;e thing helps shed real new light on the historical tribes we think of as the Vikings. Really worth it for the information about the Viking attitude to Sex and genders which was something I had literally no previous knowledge of and which i personally found astoundingly interesting. I think this is a history book that will stand the test of time well.

A very interesting, accessible history of the Vikings, which holds appeal to those just starting to explore, as well as those who are continuing to delve into the fascinating Viking Age. I would definitely recommend as a a nice comprehensive overview of what life was like for these legendary warriors and their people in various aspects of their lives.

The Children of Ash and Elm is a fascinating and comprehensive look at the Viking Age, really exploring what it was to be living in that time and place. There are no horned helmets or singing Valkyries here, and the author is quite (correctly) scathing about the co-option of the Viking myth by white supremacists in more recent times.

I found the section on slavery and the position of thralls in society to be particularly interesting as I’d never really considered that aspect before when thinking of the Vikings.

I also downloaded the Audible version of the book and found it to be very well read. The pronunciation of unfamiliar Scandinavian words was excellently done and the reader’s pleasant voice enhanced the experience for me.

Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for providing a review copy in exchange for honest feedback.

A truly interesting history, which should appeal to both people with no knowledge of the vikings, to people who are already pretty well informed

"The Children of Ash and Elm" is an absolutely astonishing and eye-opening look at Vikings and the world they lived in. It's superbly written and the information is given in a well-structured way. I've read quite a lot of historical fiction involving Vikings, and now I regret not having read more non-fiction - although I doubt I could learn anything more than I did from this book.
My thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for an advance copy to review. This review is entirely my own, unbiased, opinion.

Really brilliant book, I learned so much.
It's nice to see the Vikings approached on their own terms.
The book is well set out with easy to read font and illustrations.
The footnotes and source details are as detailed as you would expect.
Neil Price is onto a winner here.