The great Icelandic saga of the discovery of North America (Greenland and Vinland) is a tale of incredible daring and adventure.  With color and humor, Barbara Schiller puts this remarkable epic in story form.

Eirik the Red and his sons were the virtually fearless men whose phenomenal exploits led to discovery of North America.  Eirik, whose temper was as evident as his courage, was responsible for the journey to Greenland.  Leif the Lucky, his son, was the first captain to make direct voyages between Greenland, Scotland, and Norway, as well as the first Viking explorer to set foot on Vinland.  Thorwald, a second son, was killed in his attempts to colonize Vinland; and Thorsten, a third son, set out to avenge his brother's death but died of plague before he could voyage to Vinland.  The exploits of these rugged Vikings are told realistically, in their own terms, with all the excitement that characterized this era.  The everyday life of the Vikings, their close family ties, are also warmly conveyed.  In addition, there is an introduction explaining the background and history of the Icelandic sagas. 

Mrs. Schiller's excellent adaptation—the first for young readers—retains all the vigor and drama of a momentous period in history.

From the dust jacket