My post from this website is from a question a woman wrote to a historian about............and this webpage is his/her answer...........

Risala: Ibn Fadlan's Account of the Rus

Dear Viking Answer Lady:

I've heard that Michael Crighton wrote a book based on Ibn Fadlan's account of the Varangian Rus, describing Scandinavian traders in 900's Russia. However, I'm also aware that Crighton is a well-known fiction writer. Are Eaters of the Dead and the movie 13th Warrior really based on Ibn Fadlan's history?

(signed) Signature Goes Here

Gentle Reader:

You are indeed correct to be skeptical. While undoubtedly Crighton had some familiarity with Ibn Fadlan's account, his well known novel Eaters of the Dead is totally fiction, mixing Ibn Fadlan with Beowulf and a bit of H.G. Wells' Morlocks added for flavor. There are, however, translations of Ibn Fadlan's true account available, including the excerpts discussing Ibn Fadlan's adventures among the Rus as discussed below.