Formidably erudite study which covers a quite astonishing amount of ground, from the early spread of Roman Christianity to the medieval crusades against the Wends and other pagan nations in Central and Eastern Europe. Ireland and its contributions - which were considerable - are dealt with very adequately, and it is timely to be reminded that the Land of Saints and Scholars was no legend but a very remarkable chapter of European history. The Vikings are shown for what they were - predatory raiders, traders and slave-traders, who nevertheless were absorbed into the fabric of a new, emerging medieval Europe. This is clearly a book to keep and consult; it is crammed with facts and scholarship, readably presented.