Hakon of Rogen's Saga

by Erik Christian Haugaard

Book Overview

An American Library Association Notable Book and his first book for children, Erik Christian Haugaard's Hakon of Rogen's Saga is a remarkable novel that perfectly catches the mood of a harsh but... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0395160375
• ISBN13: 9780395160374
• Release Date: January 1963
• Publisher: Houghton Mifflin
• Length: 132 Pages
• Weight: 0.75 lbs.
• Age Range: 11 years and up
• Grade Range: Grade 6 and higher

Customer Reviews

old and faded memory about the age of vikings

"Hakon of Rogen's Saga" starts with a monologue of Hakon the main character. This book is about his growth and development as a fully grown viking. At first he was just a little boy and through many harsh experience - like death of his father and lost his birthright by his own uncle - learn something about life and about things he must do. Eric Haugaard's solemn and serene style brought the nature of northen europe in that age into relief. And the main theme of this story, thought about the dignity of man, is expressed fully with a historical background - the fall of the vikings and newly-risen Christianty. I believe children can find some important value with this one just as I did.

A great story of the Vikings. No, not those Vikings

A great story of the Vikings. No, not those Vikings. The Norse raiders and pirates who were a menace to Europe from eighth to the eleventh centuries. The Vikings were a fatalistic people who believed in personal honor in battle. They're like the Klingons of Star Trek. It's the story of a boy who becomes embroiled in a family feud. No, not the one with Richard Dawson. Hakon's father kidnaps a woman named Thora Magnusdaughter. Her father, enraged, leads an invasion to take her home. Hakon and his friend, Helga, the daughter of his former wet nurse, Gunhild, are caught in the middle of it. Gunhild, like the rest of his father's servants, including Rark, are slaves. When his father's killed, Hakon becomes the new king of Rogen. Rark rallies the army of his father to defeat the invaders. Hakon's uncle is partly to blame for the treachery. He wanted the throne of Rogen for himself. Haugaard's Viking verse comes close to approximating the real thing. Read this book for the rest of the story. The Vikings gave Russia its name, they ruled England, and they were the imperial bodyguard of the Byzantine emperors. This would be an excellent introduction to Byzantine and English history. Most people think the Viking era ended with the Battle of Hastings. It didn't. It ended with the Battle of Stamford Bridge. Harold II defeated Harold Hardrata and his own brother, Tostig. Then he was defeated by William the Conqueror. The English Danelaw and Normandy were both founded by the Vikings.

An excellent book. It takes a good look at the Vikings

No, not those Vikings. The ones who raided the coasts of Europe from England and Scotland to the Mediterranean, and even served as the bodyguards of the Byzantine emperors. In Hagia Sophia in Istanbul, Turkey, there's a piece of graffiti that says "Halfdan was here." The Vikings founded colonies in Greenland, Iceland, and probably Newfoundland. Their reign of terror lasted over three hundred years. The Vikings ruled England off and on. I first read this book back in the '70s. A must read for those who love history. I recommend it to all college students. Don't dismiss this classic historical novel as a "kid's book." (Haugaard also wrote a book set in Roman-occupied Palestine called The Rider and His Horse.) I recommend this as well. If you can find it here. If not, then go to a used bookstore.

A book that can take you back to that time....

Hakon of Rogen's saga is a wonderful example of fine literature for kids my age (I'm 13)! I loves the book. In fact , all of Erik Christian Haugaard's novel are wonderful and I want to read them all. Reading the book was like being there, right at that moment. I highly suggest this book!

A Viking story for young people that is well worth reading.

Haakon of Rogen's Saga is a mesmerizing book of unusual literary beauty for grade 5 and up. Viking culture is made human in this story of a young boy caught in a web of jealousy and deceit. He learns about true courage and loyalty as well as the power of compassion. Vikings are most often presented as wooden, valueless monsters who fascinate for their unadulterated evil. This book will help readers to consider other posibilities. I have used this book as a lead-in to studies of William the Conqueror and the Middle Ages. It is wonderful. (Haugaard also wrote another novel about the last Viking colonists stranded on Greenland.)