Althingi

A clash of cultures, a meeting of worlds.Althingi: The Crescent and the Northern Star explores the intricate interactions between Viking voyagers and emissaries from the powerful Islamic kingdoms. This historical fiction anthology bridges understanding between different beliefs and offers a fresh look at our shared history.

Journey into a fascinating forgotten past, where Norse warriors and Arabic scholars meet amidst religious conflict and cultural exchange. Discover tales of exploration, betrayal, and vengeance, set against the backdrop of Viking Age Scandinavia and the opulent cities of the Islamic world.

Edited by Muhammad Aurangzeb Ahmad and Joshua Gillingham, this anthology features stories by an incredible slate of authors. Althingi: The Crescent and the Northern Star is a must-read for fans of Viking and Islamic history, offering a unique glimpse into a world where Norse mythology and Arabic scholarship intertwine.

Muhammad Aurangzeb Ahmad is the Principal Research Scientist at KenSci Inc. and Affiliate Assistant Professor in the Department of Computer Science at University of Washington Tacoma. His previous academic appointments were at the Department of Computer Science at University of Minnesota, Center for Cognitive Science at University of Minnesota, Faculty of Engineering at Istinye University, and the Indian Institute of Technology – Kanpur. Joshua Gillingham is a Canadian author from the scenic city of Nanaimo, BC. There he enjoys life with his adventurous spouse and their two very unadventurous cats. The Gatewatch, his debut novel, was born of his unremitted fascination with Norse Myths and Icelandic Sagas. Joshua's lyrical maritime ballad The Queen of the Rose Marie was selected for the Short Story Dispenser Project hosted by Short Édition and his award-winning essay 'Becoming a Resilient Writer' has been featured on several sites for aspiring writers.