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The Vikings and Seafaring

Tom Sutcliffe discusses the Vikings and seafaring with Michael Wood, Rose George, David Barrie and Yrsa Sigurdardottir.

Tom Sutcliffe talks to the historian Michael Wood about the spirit and adventure of the Vikings who travelled all over Europe and as far east as Central Asia. The Vikings sailed close to the coast whenever possible, David Barrie celebrates the invention of the sextant three hundred years ago which made open water navigation and exploration possible. The majority of foreign goods we buy are transported by sea and Rose George charts the murky world of today's international shipping. The mystery and danger of the sea is a recurrent theme in the latest crime novel from the Icelandic writer Yrsa Sigurdadottir.

Producer: Katy Hickman.

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43 minutes

Michael Wood

Michael Wood is a historian, broadcaster and Professor of Public History at the University of Manchester.

Vikings: life and legend is at the British Museum from 6 March until 22 June.

Michael will present a guided tour of the exhibition for cinema audiences on 24 April called Vikings Live from the British Museum.

David Barrie

David Barrie is a former diplomat, arts administrator and law reform campaigner.

Sextant: A Voyage Guided by the Stars and the Men Who Mapped the World鈥檚 Oceans is published by William Collins.

Rose George

Rose George is a writer.

Deep Sea and Foreign Going: Inside Shipping, the Invisible Industry that Brings You 90% of Everything is published by Portobello Books.

Yrsa Sigurdard贸ttir

Yrsa Sigurdard贸ttir is an author.

The Silence of the Sea is published by Hodder & Stoughton.

Credits

Role Contributor
Presenter Tom Sutcliffe
Interviewed Guest Michael Wood
Interviewed Guest Rose George
Interviewed Guest David Barrie
Interviewed Guest Yrsa Sigurdardottir
Producer Katy Hickman

Broadcasts

  • Mon 3 Mar 2014 09:00
  • Mon 3 Mar 2014 21:30

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