Reviews on the back cover of the book

Long ago, in the misty past, Viking traders sailed east from their homes on the Baltic and further into the lands of the east.
In 1977 , the remains of one of the ships used in these fabled voyages were discovered at Lapuri, in Finland.
This is the story of the Rus Project: one manīs dream to build a replica of this ancient ship and retrace the eastward voyages of his ancestors. It is an adventure which few would seriously contemplate, but not only did Fredrik Koivusalo dare to push forward with his dream, he carried it trough. Over the objections of nay-sayers and the difficulties of twentieth century reality, the Viking ship RUS was built and sailed to the eastward.
That her voyage ended in shipwreck was heartbreaking to her crew but does not detract from the story. From the ashes of her funeral pyre a new dream arose and a new ship was built to fulfill it. That ship, HEIMLØSA RUS, has sailed the waters of Europe since 1996.

Mark L. Humphrey

This is a unique record of a Finnish Viking ship project. The reader can follow in detail the building of a Viking ship, conforming to an archaelogical find in the Gulf of Finland. Scientific reflections, craftsmanship and practical work are combined in an interesting way. In the subsequent voyage one is met with an amazing adventure and a dramatic shipwreck. Despite many problems and misfortunes, there is an unyielding go-ahead spirit and optimism, personified in the project leader and author, Fredrik Koivusalo.

Dirk Schneider

The Rus project has managed to bring history alive. We have only the greatest admiration for those involved in the project. The project was carried out, entirely with the help of voluntary work.

Sabina and David Hume