Fear can perhaps influence a man, but self-confidence fights against fear.

Uhtred of Bebbanburg was born in the 9th century, when his native Britain was ravaged by marauding Viking raids. His life was turned upside down after both his brother and father, a Northumbrian lord, were killed by bloodthirsty Danes. The fearless orphan was forcibly adopted by the murderer of his closest relatives - Count Ragnar the Fearless - and raised in the spirit of Viking customs. Although the young man has never broken ties with his compatriots, he hesitates for a long time about where he actually belongs. At first he fights in the ranks of the Danes, but later he enters the service of King Alfred the Great, the last British monarch who is still resisting the onslaught of invaders from the north. With the British troops assembled, he faces the greatest attack of sea raiders and his most difficult task yet awaits him: to stand in the shield wall for the first time and measure the strength with the most powerful viking Ubb.

Based on the book, the BBC made a successful series of the same name with Alexander Dreymon in the lead role.

Length of recording: 15 hours 4 minutes

Read by Vasil Fridrich