In short: The Russians is a thriller by Icelandic author Viktor Ólason. It begins at nine o’clock on a September morning, when bombs go off at Reykjavík Airport and three other airports at the same time, and sixty men who came to Iceland as tourists pick up weapons that were already waiting for them. Iceland has no army. The book is out in English as The Russians (ISBN 978-9935595003) and in Icelandic as Rússarnir: Spennusaga (ISBN 978-9935595027), both on Amazon.
What is The Russians about?
At nine o’clock on a September morning, a bomb goes off at Reykjavík Airport — and at three other airports, at the same moment. Sixty men who entered the country as tourists pick up weapons that were already waiting for them.
Iceland has no army. It has never had one. In less than three days, a nation discovers how cheap it has always been to take.
The idea at the centre of the book is in its English subtitle:
It is cheap to take a country that does not believe anyone wants it.
Its Icelandic tagline is just as direct: ógnarspennandi frá fyrstu til síðustu blaðsíðu — exciting from the first page to the last.
Why set a thriller in Iceland?
Because the starting point is real. Iceland has no army and never has had one. The country was a founding member of NATO in 1949 and signed a defence agreement with the United States in 1951, but the American forces left the base at Keflavík in 2006. Everyday security rests with the police and the Icelandic Coast Guard.
Most Icelanders rarely think about this. The country is far away, peaceful and small. The Russians asks what that comfort is worth if someone decides otherwise — and how ready a nation without soldiers really is.
Who is Viktor Ólason?
Viktor Ólason is an Icelandic business consultant and author based in Hafnarfjörður. He has worked in Icelandic business since 1988: as general manager of marketing at Ölgerðin Egill Skallagrímsson, CEO of Kreditkort and of Tal, co-owner of iKort and CEO of Kuku Campers. Today he runs Háaberg 29 ehf and is co-founder and CEO of Fjárflæði.
A career spent on risk, systems and what happens when they fail runs through the book. Read more about Viktor.
English and Icelandic editions
| Edition | Language | Format | ISBN-13 | ISBN-10 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Russians | English | Paperback | 978-9935595003 | 9935595005 |
| Rússarnir: Spennusaga | Icelandic | Paperback (kilja) | 978-9935595027 | 9935595021 |
Both editions tell the same story. The book page has the covers and the full description in both languages.
Watch the trailers
Two short vertical trailers set the mood of the book. Watch them on The Russians book page — with the sound on.
Who will enjoy The Russians?
- Readers of fast political and military thrillers.
- Anyone curious about Iceland’s place in the North Atlantic, and about what security means for a country without an army.
- Icelandic readers who want a spennusaga set at home, in their own language.
Frequently asked questions
Who wrote The Russians?
The Russians was written by Viktor Ólason, an Icelandic business consultant and author based in Hafnarfjörður.
Is The Russians available in Icelandic?
Yes. The Icelandic edition is called Rússarnir: Spennusaga (ISBN 978-9935595027).
Where can I buy The Russians?
Both editions are sold on Amazon: The Russians (English) and Rússarnir (íslenska).
Is The Russians a true story?
No. It is a novel — a work of fiction. Its starting point is real, though: Iceland has no army.
What is the ISBN of The Russians?
English paperback: ISBN 978-9935595003 (ISBN-10 9935595005). Icelandic paperback, Rússarnir: ISBN 978-9935595027 (ISBN-10 9935595021).