A brief semi-biographical novel of Harold Hardrada. Most of the tale describes his early adulthood, starting with the death of his stepbrother, Olaf Trygvasson. Most likely it is meant to evoke the various Norse sagas. There is much grim warrior humour, moral flexibility and pragmatic realignment of allegiance. This main part of the book is a flashback that occurs during the battle against Harold Godwinson where Harold was finally killed.

I'm far too old for this simple book. All the fighting seems deeply pointless, and the persecution of the weaker under the title of "tax collecting" is Orwellian. ( )