Eaters of the Dead (edited by the popular novelist Michael Crichton) is an actual eyewitness account of the Viking way of life written by an Arab who accompanied a Viking band (involuntarily) on an adventure in 922 A.D. The Arab, one Ibn Fadlan, is on a diplomatic mission from the Caliph of Bagdad to the King of the Bulgars. On his way he falls into the hands of a band of Vikings in Russia. The Vikings receive a message from home asking for help dealing with an unpleasant situation the nature of which is not made clear to poor Ibn. A chief and 11 other good men are dispatched and Ibn is included because of a superstition that called for a foreigner to be a 'lucky' 13th member of such a mission.

During the journey Ibn observes and comments on the customs and beliefs of the Vikings in a most readable and unflattering way. Unlike many historical accounts, this is written with real wit and style. He is able to communicate with one of the band using Latin. As he spends more time with the Northmen, he picks up a little of their language and is able to communicate in a limited way with others. He also finds himself becoming a bit of a Northman himself, albeit reluctantly.

The Vikings have been called back to help defend a kingdom from the attack of a group of very primitive people who are regarded by the Vikings with superstitious dread. The primitives are large, strong, ugly, smelly, and in the opinion of the Vikings, not quite human. They are armed largely with flint tipped weapons and practice cannibalism and the very ancient worship of the mother goddess. I won't spoil the story by telling what happens but the book does include an interesting appendix on the possible origins of the primitive people. The description of the primitives, known to the Vikings as 'Eaters of the Dead' and their cultural level has suggested to some historians that they were a pocket of Neanderthal people surviving into historical times in a remote region.

Eaters of the Dead is highly recommended both as a ripping good adventure story, and as an interesting insight into Viking Customs and attitudes. My library had it in the fiction section, probably because it had been edited by Michael Crichton. Check it out.