Viking Voyager: An Icelandic Memoir

What better book to read during a pandemic when travel options are so limited! I absolutely adored this engrossing personal memoir covering decades of a rich and fascinating life. Sigurdsson's story carries us through his childhood in Iceland - quite an underdeveloped country at the time - with touching portraits of himself, his family, and his community through happy and unhappy times. Eventually making it to Finland to study architecture without even speaking the language when he got there -- can one even imagine doing such a thing?!? What an example of true determination and drive in such a young man. His countless worldwide adventures, both before and during his career at the World Bank, kept me turning the pages and wondering what was coming next. And finally, the honesty of his words in describing the very real difficulties so many of us struggle with in mis-matched relationships, to gradually finding the life partner he was meant to be with made this story even more relatable and human. Overall, a lovely portrait of a one-of-a-kind life. Thanks, Sverrir!

Describing the lives of his ancestors and his own childhood in Iceland, Sverrir, a generous memoirist, depicts the tough life of the fisherman on the cold, rough North Atlantic Ocean as well as of the farmer eking out an existence in the 20th century. The reader learns of Iceland's vibrant political life---his parents subscribed to newspapers of political parties at the opposite ends of the spectrum. Most fascinating, however, is the character of Sverrir himself, an Icelander deeply rooted in his home country, who departed Iceland, earned an architecture degree, and forged a career of making the world a better place by conducting education projects in a variety of developing countries.

An interesting read. This is a lively and highly readable book about a life well lived – and lived in many places on several continents. The author started his life in pre-war Iceland, and the book provides very useful reminders of how hard life was for most people even a relatively short time ago (just one life-time) in countries where we are now used to enjoying vast riches. His many subsequent stops – Finland, Kuwait, Malawi, Swaziland, and Washington (with travel for the World Bank) are all interesting - I found his experience arriving to study in Finland without a word of Finnish the most engaging.. Challenging excursions with his family are all well described, and the book gives several examples of the value of initiative, flexibility and persistence. This is just one person’s life, without any high drama, but well told and I was engaged throughout and never bored. N.F.

I learned quite a bit about the history and culture on Iceland from Viking Voyager: An Icelandic Memoir by Sverrir Sigurdsson and Veronica Li, as well as Sverrir’s career and family stories. For one thing, I didn’t know that the capital of Iceland was Copenhagen, not Reykjavík, in the early 1600s. While basically sticking to his profession as an architect working for private companies as well as UNESCO and the World Bank, Sverrir traveled and worked in many countries across the globe including Asia. Some reviewers have given comments on his European and African experiences, I will say a few words on his Asian stories. The descriptions of his Asian experiences in the book are equally, if not more, interesting than those about other continents. Here is one example: “In Yanbian, … 2,000 primary school children welcomed me one morning. They sang and danced in colorful ethnic costumes while I stood clad in a homemade Icelandic woolen sweater, waving and trying my best to look regal. In the afternoon, another 3,000 secondary school children overwhelmed me with their theatrical talents. Frankly speaking, the excessive attention was downright embarrassing and made me feel like an impostor.” Ah, that is exactly what would happen during the early 1980s in China. All in all, a very inspiring memoir – broad perspectives, matter-of-fact narrative, good choice of words, and subtle humor – that should be read by everyone who has an international mind and heart.

Sverrir Sigurdsson, with the help of his wife Veronica Li, takes us on a wonderful international adventure as he relates his interesting experiences while pursuing his education, career and family life. The writing is clear and compelling, and keeps you wondering what will happen next. From his tough growing up in Iceland to studies in Finland and challenging jobs in the Middle East, Africa and elsewhere, we get not only the story of a varied life, but insights into history and cultures and work in a variety of countries. Sigurdsson is remarkably candid abut his personal life, his successes and shortcomings, and his work experiences. He also portrays penetrating analyses of national and personal behaviors. This is a memoir worthy of reading by younger people contemplating their career and life choices, as well as older folks reflecting on their own lives. Having also lived an international life, I am inspired to write my own memoir, and this is a great example to follow. I was very impressed by the author's recall of innumerable details - names, people, places and experiences, which made for a rich and enjoyable read.

This marvelous memoir reads like the adventure story it is, from beginnings in hardscrabble Iceland in the 30s through the surprise “invasion” of the British in the 40s, to advanced training as an architect to a life of public service in rural Asia, to the deserts of the Middle East, schools in Africa and a late career applying his experience at the World Bank. Insightful about the workings of the international aid system, honest about the interplay of a peripatetic work life and marriage and family, and, in the end, a delightful read, this book would be valuable for anyone reflecting on the unanticipated paths of life—in this case a life well-lived and full of valuable lessons. Highly recommended.

I found this book very interesting, especially if you have a bit of background on Iceland. It is well-written and very enjoyable to read. I found the parts about his younger years right after WWII up until he left to go to Finland for college particularly interesting. Iceland was not a rich country by any means, but the people were solid and had all of the important things, like a hard work ethic, respect for education, and love for their families, etc.

This is an autobiography, but also a history of the emergence of Iceland as a modern country. It shows us life in Iceland just before and after World War II and its gradual modernization and integration into an increasingly globalized world. The three strands in the book ( personal development, the development of Iceland and international development in the 20th and early part of the 21st century) document changing phases of world history. I found the first part of the book on the authors experiences in Iceland particularly interesting. The book is written clearly and engagingly and is a good read. Enjoy!

A wonderfully written, candidly told story of an extraordinary Viking ! Engrossing and difficult to put down. It should be a must read for teenagers (but also adults, because... there’s always time to fulfill dreams so long as one is alive). I wish I had read something like this in my younger age. It is easy to close your eyes and travel the world with Sverrir. Do it !

WThis a refreshingly honest personal story of growing up in Iceland and taking advantage of opportunities to explore the world beyond. I learned a lot about pre-industrial Iceland, the post-war transition to a modern economy and the uniqueness of Viking culture. The book is written in an engaging style with lots of fascinating anecdotes.

What better book to read during a pandemic when travel options are so limited! I absolutely adored this engrossing personal memoir covering decades of a rich and fascinating life. Sigurdsson's story carries us through his childhood in Iceland - quite an underdeveloped country at the time - with touching portraits of himself, his family, and his community through happy and unhappy times. Eventually making it to Finland to study architecture without even speaking the language when he got there -- can one even imagine doing such a thing?!? What an example of true determination and drive in such a young man. His countless worldwide adventures, both before and during his career at the World Bank, kept me turning the pages and wondering what was coming next. And finally, the honesty of his words in describing the very real difficulties so many of us struggle with in mis-matched relationships, to gradually finding the life partner he was meant to be with made this story even more relatable and human. Overall, a lovely portrait of a one-of-a-kind life. Thanks, Sverrir!

Describing the lives of his ancestors and his own childhood in Iceland, Sverrir, a generous memoirist, depicts the tough life of the fisherman on the cold, rough North Atlantic Ocean as well as of the farmer eking out an existence in the 20th century. The reader learns of Iceland's vibrant political life---his parents subscribed to newspapers of political parties at the opposite ends of the spectrum. Most fascinating, however, is the character of Sverrir himself, an Icelander deeply rooted in his home country, who departed Iceland, earned an architecture degree, and forged a career of making the world a better place by conducting education projects in a variety of developing countries.

An interesting read. This is a lively and highly readable book about a life well lived – and lived in many places on several continents. The author started his life in pre-war Iceland, and the book provides very useful reminders of how hard life was for most people even a relatively short time ago (just one life-time) in countries where we are now used to enjoying vast riches. His many subsequent stops – Finland, Kuwait, Malawi, Swaziland, and Washington (with travel for the World Bank) are all interesting - I found his experience arriving to study in Finland without a word of Finnish the most engaging.. Challenging excursions with his family are all well described, and the book gives several examples of the value of initiative, flexibility and persistence. This is just one person’s life, without any high drama, but well told and I was engaged throughout and never bored. N.F.

I learned quite a bit about the history and culture on Iceland from Viking Voyager: An Icelandic Memoir by Sverrir Sigurdsson and Veronica Li, as well as Sverrir’s career and family stories. For one thing, I didn’t know that the capital of Iceland was Copenhagen, not Reykjavík, in the early 1600s. While basically sticking to his profession as an architect working for private companies as well as UNESCO and the World Bank, Sverrir traveled and worked in many countries across the globe including Asia. Some reviewers have given comments on his European and African experiences, I will say a few words on his Asian stories. The descriptions of his Asian experiences in the book are equally, if not more, interesting than those about other continents. Here is one example: “In Yanbian, … 2,000 primary school children welcomed me one morning. They sang and danced in colorful ethnic costumes while I stood clad in a homemade Icelandic woolen sweater, waving and trying my best to look regal. In the afternoon, another 3,000 secondary school children overwhelmed me with their theatrical talents. Frankly speaking, the excessive attention was downright embarrassing and made me feel like an impostor.” Ah, that is exactly what would happen during the early 1980s in China. All in all, a very inspiring memoir – broad perspectives, matter-of-fact narrative, good choice of words, and subtle humor – that should be read by everyone who has an international mind and heart.

Sverrir Sigurdsson, with the help of his wife Veronica Li, takes us on a wonderful international adventure as he relates his interesting experiences while pursuing his education, career and family life. The writing is clear and compelling, and keeps you wondering what will happen next. From his tough growing up in Iceland to studies in Finland and challenging jobs in the Middle East, Africa and elsewhere, we get not only the story of a varied life, but insights into history and cultures and work in a variety of countries. Sigurdsson is remarkably candid abut his personal life, his successes and shortcomings, and his work experiences. He also portrays penetrating analyses of national and personal behaviors. This is a memoir worthy of reading by younger people contemplating their career and life choices, as well as older folks reflecting on their own lives. Having also lived an international life, I am inspired to write my own memoir, and this is a great example to follow. I was very impressed by the author's recall of innumerable details - names, people, places and experiences, which made for a rich and enjoyable read.

This marvelous memoir reads like the adventure story it is, from beginnings in hardscrabble Iceland in the 30s through the surprise “invasion” of the British in the 40s, to advanced training as an architect to a life of public service in rural Asia, to the deserts of the Middle East, schools in Africa and a late career applying his experience at the World Bank. Insightful about the workings of the international aid system, honest about the interplay of a peripatetic work life and marriage and family, and, in the end, a delightful read, this book would be valuable for anyone reflecting on the unanticipated paths of life—in this case a life well-lived and full of valuable lessons. Highly recommended.

I found this book very interesting, especially if you have a bit of background on Iceland. It is well-written and very enjoyable to read. I found the parts about his younger years right after WWII up until he left to go to Finland for college particularly interesting. Iceland was not a rich country by any means, but the people were solid and had all of the important things, like a hard work ethic, respect for education, and love for their families, etc.

This is an autobiography, but also a history of the emergence of Iceland as a modern country. It shows us life in Iceland just before and after World War II and its gradual modernization and integration into an increasingly globalized world. The three strands in the book ( personal development, the development of Iceland and international development in the 20th and early part of the 21st century) document changing phases of world history. I found the first part of the book on the authors experiences in Iceland particularly interesting. The book is written clearly and engagingly and is a good read. Enjoy!

A wonderfully written, candidly told story of an extraordinary Viking ! Engrossing and difficult to put down. It should be a must read for teenagers (but also adults, because... there’s always time to fulfill dreams so long as one is alive). I wish I had read something like this in my younger age. It is easy to close your eyes and travel the world with Sverrir. Do it !

WThis a refreshingly honest personal story of growing up in Iceland and taking advantage of opportunities to explore the world beyond. I learned a lot about pre-industrial Iceland, the post-war transition to a modern economy and the uniqueness of Viking culture. The book is written in an engaging style with lots of fascinating anecdotes.

Viking Voyager is an honest, engrossing, and entertaining story of one man’s life journey from a small and poor Arctic island to the rest of the world. The author uses his skills as an architect to improve the lives of those in the many countries he works in. Both his wanderlust and his resilience recall the lives of his Viking forebearers.

Viking Voyager is a thoroughly readable recounting of the challenges and rewards of working in “developing countries” , as seen from the unique perspective of this Icelandic architect. It was a pleasure to follow his travels through the middle-east and parts of Africa, during a time that was not long ago, but much safer.

What a fascinating life this author has led! I was intrigued by his memoir because I've been interested in Iceland since I was in grade school, and I've been fortunate enough to visit the country twice. In this book, the reader gets a detailed history and an excellent picture of what it was like to live there in the mid-twentieth century. Like his Viking ancestors, the author set out for adventure at an early age. He went to college in Finland, earning a degree in architecture. Various employment opportunities took him to Kuwait, Malawi, Swaziland, and finally, Washington, D.C., where he held a position at the World Bank that required extensive travel around the globe. I admired how he was able to learn new languages and acquire new skills which propelled him to his next position. While living in each new country, he and his family always took advantage of the opportunity to explore the area, taking in the sights and experiences most tourists don't get. He has even included a few pictures and maps to help readers visualize the journey. The style is easy to follow and the narrative held my interest. Very informative!

My husband, who is from Iceland, read this book first and he was captivated by the stories, especially those from his home country, since he could relate to many of them. It brought him many vivid memories of his own youth. Immediately after him, I started reading the book and I could not put it down. The author graduated as an architect in Finland, and to accomplish that he had to master a very complex language that had no resemblance to any of the languages that he already fluently spoke (Icelandic, Swedish, Danish, English, German). His work for private companies and international organizations such as the World Bank, and UNESCO, took him to many parts of the world: from Scandinavia, to the Southern part of Africa, the Middle East, and Asia: designing, supervising, and managing the development of educational facilities. The author had a fascinating life, and he absorbed the cultures of many countries with great curiosity. His desire to travel the world and his learning capacity are very inspiring.

A tale of the history of a family history that pulls you in for a fully immersive experience. This is not a genre I typically read, but I can honestly say how this accounting of family history was fascinating and kept me reading on, fully engrossed in the story. Beautiful pictures help tell the story and are well placed, adding to the visualization of what is being described. I really enjoyed this beautifully written memoir and highly recommend it. It was fascinating to learn about this family and the author’s journey. I appreciate being given the opportunity to review this remarkable memoir for an honest review.

The first part of the book gives a very good description of what Iceland used to be like. Sverrir shares stories and memories of Icelandic history that many don't know about. The second part of the book, Sverrir travels the world and shares his life's successes and struggles. The storytelling is beautiful and takes you on the journey of real life experiences. The events are not romanticized or dramatized. They are what they are and that's what makes them so amazing and emotionally relatable. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys reading. It has the elements of travel, adventure, politics, history, love, family, relationships and many more.

What an amazing journey the Viking voyager takes the reader into the life of Sverrir Sigurdsson, who was born in the period of Iceland's transformation into an independent nation, and who developed from his reserved, thoughtful and intellectually curious nature into a professional architect and educator. True to his Viking ancestry he ventured far and wide through the continents, bringing technology, education and training to elevate the quality the lives of people in developing countries. Through personal encounters he shared stories on his adventures in many challenging situations, portraying the dramatic social, cultural and political changes that took place in the various societies he worked in. All this was told with vivacity and detail where the reader feels a participant in his discoveries and insights. In a time where our world has become a global community, Mr. Sigurdsson's life's work truly demonstrates a model of a genuine world citizen.

I had the pleasure of receiving this book in exchange for a review. However, the opinions expressed are my own. There is already plenty of information on what the book is about so I will just touch on my personal observations. I appreciated that the book was written with such involving details. It flowed from one part of the author's life to the next. It stayed fairly consistent with chronological order. I have not seen too many books about Iceland so I was intrigued to learn some of the history of their unique country. It was nice to see a personal perspective. Even though it is an average size book it felt meatier due to the brief uses of field terminology, multi-lingual words, and geographical details. I learned briefly about how some of the different governments and their leaders of those countries function (at least the way they used to). You may not always agree with their beliefs and the way they did some things, but it makes for interesting tidbits. I especially enjoyed all of the historical aspects of this book. It takes you on a journey with descriptions of many various locations unique to their respective country. It was fun seeing the view of a world traveler and hearing their experience of it.

Viking Voyager contains elements of an ethno-autobiography and sparkles with authenticity, providing a thick description of life in Iceland during WWII and the early post-war period, as well as a series of historic and family references going back hundreds of years. There are also many instances in which one becomes aware of the all-important interface between culture and nature for Icelanders and Iceland. Seascape and landscape shape not only the physical environment of life in Iceland but also its cultural construction. Beyond Iceland, one accompanies the author on his nomadic quest that stretches around the world for half a century, first in pursuit of education, later in professional engagement and family life. While the narrative is constructed around necessities and practicalities, one gets the feeling that deep down a desire for a nomadic existence as such may be the ultimate driver. On the other hand, the author is an architect and builder, which implies a fixed social geography. Be that as it may, one willingly follows the meandering flow of places, events and people, including interesting political and institutional details. As the author’s life unfolds in various situational contexts, memories of similar episodes in one’s own life bubble up leading to reflection and comparison. In summary the book is well worth reading.

Sverrir Sigurdsson is indeed a Viking Voyager. Born and raised in Iceland, he became a world traveler first through his studies and then through his career as a architect. His early years growing up in Iceland were fascinating to read about. Then his voyages begin starting with Finland where he goes to study architecture without speaking a word of Finnish, a language bearing no relationship to any other Scandinavian language. But this is only the beginning of his adventures which bring him to Asia and Africa, the Middle East and just about everywhere else. Highly recommended.

I normally do not read autobiographies because I think those who write them often whitewash their lives or try to give a good spin on events that they have participated in. I began reading this beautifully written book with this mindset. I have to say that I am pleasantly surprised. Sverrir's book is not only an autobiography but a history of Iceland from his perspective. It took me from Iceland to the Middle East to Africa and it did not disappoint. I thoroughly recommend this book to those interested in Iceland and the developing world.

Sverrir Sigurdsson’s memoir is beautifully written. He takes us through early Icelandic history to his own sometimes tough upbringing, WW II and the emergence of a modern and vibrant country. It is a powerful story, written in a self-effacing, matter-of-fact and often humorous way. His account of living, working and traveling across many underdeveloped countries around the world is fascinating, and I found it hard to put the book down. The description of people and places visited is exquisite, as in his description of Isfahan, which he describes as an “architectural wonder” where there “is proof that harmony doesn’t mean conformity”. Truly a gem worth reading.

Iceland in the 1930s was a dirt poor country, and incomparable to the prosperous and modern Iceland today. That is true for many countries, but It is particularly true for Iceland where the changes in the last century litterally made the difference between life and death. Rather than a dry comparison of statistics, this story is written through the perceptive eyes of a Viking insider, who followed the tradition of his tribe and travelled around the world, to end up in the US. His co-author looked on from the outside, helping to point out things that Vikings take for granted, but that the reader appreciates to have highlighted. She also recognizes the humor in many of the situations, thus making the book a fascinating, yet easily read personal history of a country and a man coming of age, Highly recommended,

An absolutely captivating family saga that will pull you in from the start. I must admit biographies and memoirs are very hit-and-miss for me, and this was a huge hit! The prose flows well, and the pacing is perfect. A tale spanning the globe and many decades, the reader is introduced to new experiences and cultures along the way. An inspiring and heartwarming story.

Viking Voyager uncovers a history that most of us don't know about--the beautiful history of Iceland through the perspective of a man who travels the world through his work at the World Bank, Unesco, and other organizations. A fast-paced, riveting, and compelling narrative. An immersion into Nordic culture and work ethic fused with the insight of a broader global perspective. Loved it and recommending it to all my friends and family. Never thought I could learn so much about the world from the story of a modern Viking great.

This book is an incredible read and helps give a different or at least new perspective on some things. For the first I was interesting in the discussion of the early years, growing up in Iceland. The challenges posed by the country's natural factors are among the worst that any country faces, in terms of weather and active volcanoes. But the Icelandic people not only survive volcanoes but find ways to use them This book gives details about how this is done thanks to the great memory of Sigurdsson about his childhood. For the second I got a better understanding about how things worked at the WB at a time when it was assessing how good a job it was doing is promoting the development of poorer countries.

Sigurdsson’s travels in developing countries will be familiar to the world’s honorary Vikings in education. For them, ten-hour flights from Washington feel routine, back-to-back meetings with government officials are all in a day’s work, and visits to schools in the field mean bumpy rides on single-prop planes and in cars marked For Official Use Only. And for them, all of that is worthwhile because schooling is important, because they sometimes see history unfold before them while they’re there on mission, and – as Sigurdsson worked to make support for textbooks a policy concern of the World Bank – they sometimes make history themselves.

Sverrir Sigurdsson travels throughout much of the world from his childhood home in Iceland, working to make the lives of children better in schools in many countries, by designing as an architect better learning environments, sometimes at his own cost. Veronica Li masterfully weaves her husband's life stories into lively and memorable tales which bring the reader to new realms. With determination and strong will, both create powerful images for the reader to imagine a life which is so different yet so understandable and involving.

The book is very well written and covers a topic close to my own heart, especially since I have myself moved from Iceland to the US and I am currently living in the US with my American wife and two kids. However, both my parents live in Iceland and we try to go there regularly. One of the authors, Sverrir, and my father are cousins and lived together as kids in Reykjavik, hence this tale is closely related to my own one although I moved to the US for different reasons. The book should resonate with anyone who has moved from the country they grew up in to the US. As such a reader will see there are very often common threads of motivations for such a move, although not exactly the same. Enjoy.!

This was a grand adventure story told by an excellent storyteller. Part history, part geography, part family, part political and social commentary, and all kinds of international travel. Until I read it, I knew virtually nothing about Iceland, but now I feel quite a bit more knowledgeable and am eager to visit. The author has such a wide variety of interests --from woodworking to international development, to salmon fishing, to physics and engineering, education, technology, and architecture. For all his talents, he also has a wonderfully self-deprecating sense of humor. A beautiful and interesting country, a fascinating life and a great read!!!

An interesting journey with exotic and engaging stories of diverse cultures. This book reads as if it were a movie: it has descriptions that are lively and easy to read. From Iceland the author takes us to Finland, Kuwait, Malawi, Swaziland and Washington DC. We learn how people lived and how life was difficult in places that are now rich and prosperous. We learned about different traditions and cultures. And in addition, we get a perspective of the diverse development policies and views around the world. I highly recommend it to anyone interested in travel, in history and in social and economic development

Sverrir writes an engaging record of his family and professional life in his native Iceland, Scandinavia, Middle East, Asia, Eastern Europe, the U.S, and Africa. Not only is it revealing of his perseverance and determination in the pursuit of his life goals, but it also offers a window into these parts of the world. He writes exquisitely, with candor and richness of detail. I read it in just a few sittings and you will also, given its pull. Strongly recommended to those that appreciate the genre. Rogerio F. Pinto, International Consultant and author of Memories of a Life Across Borders, An autobiography.

Engaging from start to finish, Viking Voyager traces the life of Sverrir Sigurdsson from early childhood in his native Iceland to the present day, spent in large part at the home he built on the Chesapeake Bay. We follow his journey from Reykjavik to Helsinki, Kuwait to Abu Dhabi, Malawi to Swaziland ... a restless odyssey chronicled with personal recollections and keen observations of the world’s historical compass. Laced with wry humor and self-effacing charm, this is a rich memoir that will fascinate and educate both the well-and-less-traveled reader.

This is an exciting memoir of a man who grew up in Iceland around WWII, moved on to globe-trotting as an international development expert, and retired after highly appreciated work at the World Bank. The book is a gripping and vivid account of professional and personal challenges he faced and how he solved each of them with astuteness and no-nonsense and stubborn attitude. I also loved reading about Iceland in the mid 20th century where life was so tough. Once you start reading it, it is so hard to put it down.

I found Sverrir Sigurdsson's personal insights and geopolitical observations a fascinating read. He shares memories of Iceland caught up in World War II to working through the World Bank in Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. His story is both an interpersonal journey as well as an insightful view of the economies, business, and culture in various developing countries. A great story about the world on a human scale. I recommend it highly! A.M.

A very enjoyable and well written book. It had me wanting to travel to Iceland .The historical facts were very interesting. I loved it reading this book.

Viking Voyager transports the reader around the world and seemingly through centuries. The author's haunting and humorous descriptions of his Icelandic family and arduous early life must be read to be believed. Once he leaves Iceland to attend university, he surmounts innumerable challenges to pursue his journey, ultimately crossing oceans and continents. It's amazing that one person has experienced so much in one lifetime! A wonderful memoir!

From start to finish, a delightful voyage through time, very insightful- so much so, I'm considering a trip to Iceland someday, if ever this Pandemic ends.