The North Atlantic island began being settled by Scandinavian farmers in 873, and the Age of Settlements lasted until 930. Less than 200 years later, people thought it would be a good idea to set down in writing who had originally settled where, why they came to Iceland, and what happened to the settlers and their claim sometimes over the next couple generations. Five early versions survive, and renowned Icelandic scholars Pálsson and Edwards translate the earliest, compiled by Sturla Thordarson (1214-84). Illustrations include monochrome photographs, reproductions of manuscript pages, and detailed maps of each settled region of Iceland. Distributed in the US by Michigan State University Press. Annotation ©2007 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)