North Sea Saga

The fascinating and epic story of the North Sea, from Stone Age totem-poles to twentieth century oil rigs.

• Explores the historical significance of the North Sea, more important than even the Atlantic
• Follows the development of the ship and the skills of being at sea
• Includes coverage of ancient sites located near the sea including Sutton Hoo

In this fascinating book, Paul Jordan explores the long coastlines and long histories of all the lands around the North Sea, to reveal how much they share in a common saga of human experience in one of the most successful and progressive regions of the world. North Sea Sagas recounts the story of the North Sea and the people living around it from prehistoric times to the present day, offering its rich history as a battleground, barrier, highway and resource. It explores the long lasting inter-relations between all the countries of the North Sea coastline; Scandinavia, Germany, the Low Countries and Britain, and demonstrates how their histories have far more in common than things which divide them. Neolithic farmers, Bronze Age warriors, Roman Empire builders, Viking raiders, medieval merchants and modern political and commercial rivals are all featured.

Paul Jordan is a former Television Producer and on air personality for both the BBC and ITV in Britain. He has authored several books including Riddles of the Sphinx, NYU Press (1998), Early Man, Sutton Publishing (1999), The Atlantis Syndrome, Sutton Publishing (2001), The Neanderthal Man and the Story of Human Origins, Sutton Publishing (2001) and The Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, Longman Publishing (2002)

North Sea Saga tells the epic story of the North Sea from Stone Age totem-poles to twentieth century oil rigs, from log boats to cruise liners.

It charts the changing ways of life of prehistoric hunters and farmers, Roman colonists, Viking adventurers, medieval traders and the sailors of the modern world in times of peace and war.

Paul Jordan explores the long coastlines and long histories of all the lands around the North Sea, to reveal how much they share in a common saga of human experience in one of the most successful and progressive regions of the world

A new history of the lands, seas and peoples of Northern Europe, including the Romans, Germans, Anglo-Saxons, Celts and, of course, the Vikings: this is our sea and its seafarers from the Stone Age to the present via the Bronze, Iron and Modern ages.

Former Television Producer and Presenter for both BBC and ITV. Author of many trade books including our own 'Seven Wonders of the Ancient World'.

Introduction

1. The Geological Background

2. The Geography of the North Sea

3. From Foragers to Farmers

4. Tribes and Trade of the Bronze Age and Iron Age

5. The Roman North Sea

6. The Anglo-Saxons in Britain and their Cousins across the Sea

7. The Last Blast of Pagan Europe

8. Trade and Defence in the Middle Ages

9. The Era of Modern Times

10. Fishing, Trade and Empire in the Industrial Age

11. Into the new Millennium