How the Barbarian Invasions Shaped the Modern World: The Vikings, Vandals, Huns, Mongols, Goths, and Tartars who Razed the Old World and Formed the New

Compelling stories and unforgettable characters

More than 800 years have past since the last barbarian horde slaughtered and plundered its way across Asia and Europe, yet civilized folks are still fascinated by tales of these half-naked, bloodthirsty savages. The impact they had on world history was truly astonishing: they destroyed the Roman Empire, founded the nations of Europe, and united China into a world power.

This narrative will emphasize the dramatic and human element of this period in history-the terror of the barbarians' victims, as well as the almost insane pleasure the barbarians themselves took in fighting and pillaging. This highly readable, entertaining, but authoritative book contains action-packed stories, little-known facts, and information from the latest research on the barbarians and their importance in world history.

This richly detailed chronicle brings to life the personalities of Attila the Hun, Alaric the Goth, Genghis Khan, and many other barbarian kings and chieftains whose rampages across Europe, Asia, and North Africa changed the course of history. In this highly readable and authoritative book, author Thomas J. Craughwell draws upon the latest historical and archaeological research to reveal the impact of the barbarian invasions on the modern world: from the establishment of the English language, to the foundation of world capitals such as Dublin, to the introduction of gunpowder to Europe. Illustrated with more than 100 archival images gathered from around the world.