Product Description
The Norse myths are some of the greatest stories of all time. Weird monsters, thoroughly human gods, elves and sprites and gnomes, with grim giants nursing ancient grudges lurking behind—the mysterious and entrancing world of Norse myth comes alive in these pages thanks to the spellbinding storytelling and spectacular pictures of the incomparable d'Aulairse. In this classic book, the art of the Caldecott Award—winning authors of d'Aulaires' Book of Greek Myths, a longtime favorite of children and parent, reaches one of its pinnacles. It offers a way into a world of fantasy and struggle and charm that has served as inspiration for Marvel Comics and the Lord of the Rings. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (19)

Greatness!
Along with D'Aulaire's Greek Myths, I checked this book out of the library every week.I absolutely adored looking at the pictures and reading the stories.A great, colorful book for any kid.

What's old is good
I frequently borrowed this book from the Harris Park Elementary library.It is as entertaining as an adult as it was as a youngster.Along with Edith Hamilton's book, these re-tellings are great for simply and concisely relating mythic tales to my high school students.The artwork is a bonus.D'Aulaires' book of Greek myths is also well done.

norse myths
my children enjoyed this book very much. they were interested as they had heard that Tolkien had based Lord of the Rings on Norse myths and they wanted to read them. My teenagers and preteens were the age that enjoyed these stories.

THIS BOOK IS AWESOME
Years ago, my elementary school had this book in its library. My brother and I had both checked it out, 4 years apart from each other. For years after I graduated high school, I always wondered if that book was still there.
This book is one of the best books I've ever seen about Norse Mythology. The Painting are sooo cool and it doesn't "baby down" the myths. It's all there in its gorey beauty.
I recently purchased a copy of this for my brothers 30th b-day. he loved it. it was like seeing an old friend after so many years.

Wow our whole family loved this book!
We didn't know much about Norse myths when we bought this book but we sure do now! We've been reading this book, one story every night, together and it is not only well written but the illustrations are very cool too. I had D'Aulaires' book of greek myths when I was a young girl and LOVED it, continued looking at the illustrations long after I read the stories, so I took a chance on buying this one. We're all glad we did! ... Read more

Book Description
Norse Mythology explores the magical myths and legends of Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Iceland and Viking-Age Greenland--outlining along the way the prehistoric tales and beliefs from these regions that have remained embedded in the imagination of the world. The book begins with an Introduction that helps put Scandinavian mythology in place in history, followed by a chapter that explains the meaning of mythic time, and a third section that presents in-depth explanations of each mythological term. These fascinating entries identify particular deities and giants, as well as the places where they dwell and the varied and wily means by which they forge their existence and battle one another. We meet Thor, one of the most powerful gods, who specializes in killing giants using a hammer made for him by dwarfs, not to mention myriad trolls, ogres, humans and strange animals. We learn of the ongoing struggle between the gods, who create the cosmos, and the jotnar, or giants, who aim to destroy it. In the enchanted world where this mythology takes place, we encounter turbulent rivers, majestic mountains, dense forests, storms, fierce winters, eagles, ravens, salmon and snakes in a landscape closely resembling Scandinavia. Beings travel on ships and on horseback; they eat slaughtered meat and drink mead. Spanning from the inception of the universe and the birth of human beings to the universe's destruction and the mythic future, these sparkling tales of creation and destruction, death and rebirth, gods and heroes will entertain readers and offer insight into the relationship between Scandinavian myth, history, and culture. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

Excellent as a jumping-off point
First of all, a friend of mine to whom I borrowed this book was a little disappointed that it was dictionary-style.There are paragraph- to page-sized entries on a wide variety of subjects, listed in alphabetical order.If you're looking for a good cover-to-cover read on Norse mythology, I highly recommend H. R. Ellis Davidson's "Gods and Myths of Northern Europe".

I own three of these dictionary-style books on Norse mythology, probably THE three such books: Lindow (this book), Rudolf Simek's "Dictionary of Northern Mythology" and Andy Orchard's "Dictionary of Norse Myth & Legend" (or whatever the current publisher's calling it these days).

Of the three, Lindow is by far the most accessible and user-friendly to the layperson.There's a wealth of information here, and it's written and presented very well and with a healthy amount of humor (one doesn't often see the poem "Thrymskvida" described as featuring "Thor in drag").

That said, it's also true that this book doesn't contain the hoard of detailed, otherwise obscure information that Simek and Orchard have to offer.On more than one occasion I went to look up something in Lindow and was surprised that it wasn't there.For example, I find it odd that there's an entry for Ratatosk (a squirrel that inhabits the world tree Yggdrasil, a relatively minor character), but not one for, say, Svartalfaheim (in some accounts, one of the Nine Worlds of Norse mythology, realm of the "black elfs", or dwarfs).

The bottom line is, if you have a casual interest in Norse mythology and want a well-written, simple reference, then Lindow's your man.If you want practically everything there is to know about Norse mythology that's available in English, well, Simek or Orchard are probably your best bet.

But even if you're going whole hog and decide to get Simek or Orchard, get Lindow too, if for no other reason than that he's an absolute blast to read.

Informative but...
I found this book to be very informative but somewhat dry reading
A great book for research - not so good for general reading

Ian Myles Slater on: Another Fine Reference
John Lindow's"Norse Mythology: A Guide to the Gods, Heroes, Rituals, and Beliefs" is one of three important reference works on the subject currently or recently available, following Rudolf Simek's heavily linguistic "Dictionary of Northern Mythology" (German edition 1984, translated by Angela Hall, 1993) and Andy Orchard's "Cassell's Dictionary of Norse Myth & Legend" (and slightly variant titles, 1997). Each of the three takes a different approach, and I have found them nicely complementary.

Lindow's coverage, which is well-described in the subtitle, is not as complete in some areas. He does not try to match Simek on, say, Roman-era inscriptions, or Orchard on individual Icelandic sagas. In what he does cover, he is generally more comprehensive, and sometimes, I think, clearer (as on, say, the limited evidence for Norse religious practices). Lindow's discussions of methodologies and theories are informative, useful, and at times even entertaining. On this basis, it might well be a better book than the other two for beginners, although it should appeal to a more advanced readership as well. There is, of course, a trade-off, and some will prefer Orchard's more extensive coverage. (Where beginners in Norse mythology are concerned, Simek might be left to those approaching from a fairly advanced linguistic-oriented background, anyway.)

The black and white illustrations are well-chosen, and most of them are clearly reproduced. Bibliographic notes to the articles are supplemented by a section of bibliographic essays (including Internet resources). Again, he provides less raw information than Simek and Orchard, but his presentation is better, and, once again, probably much more useful to a novice. (Mind you, I've been reading in the field since the middle 1960s, and took several relevant courses at UCLA in the 1970s, so I'm using a little imagination; but he tends to suggest books I then found helpful, and many I have wished had been available when I needed them.)

Those already familiar with some earlier popular works on Norse mythology will probably recognize the cover art (part of a reconstructed medieval tapestry), which, most notably, has long been used on the cover of H.R. Ellis Davidson's "Gods and Myths of Northern Europe" (Penguin). Ironically, as Lindow informs the reader (see caption, page 251), the consensus that it was intended to portray Odin, Thor, and Frey has been challenged in recent scholarship.

Good Book on Odinism by A Non-Odinist
This is a good book on Odinism by a person who is not a Norse Pagan. Very good overview on Christian record of Asatru myths.
A good introduction to Asatru.
Wyatt Kaldenberg

Good Introductory Text on Norse Heathen Religion
This book is a fairly comprehensive overview of Norse Religion/Mythology. As a Forn SidR (Norse Heathen/Asatru) practitioner, I do reccomend this as a resource to co-religionists.It covers sacrifice, religion, an extensive listing of gods, mythological figures, and a good treatment of the lore, time, gender roles, etc... and a really good list of other sources and a thoughtful discussion of them.

I was so excited to see one of my most favorite books Mythology of All Races Vol II Eddic by John Arnott Mac Cullouch suggested (nobody seems to cite it) along with an analysis of recent Eddic translations [though surprised to see no mention of the Blackwell/Thorpe Eddas Norronea Edition, and I was kind of hoping Lindow would have discussed the George Webbe-Dasent Prose Edda from the 1840's because its on my to buy list]. The research is very very solid and I think overall extremely accurate. Lindow also lists electronic sources and the need for quality control/media literacy when using the web. Its easy & accessible as a good general treatment with the bulk of the book being an alphabetical listing of gods, figures, stories, etc... I've already picked up things I have never thought about from the entries.

This works well as a beginner's text (like after the essential 5 starter books- Prose Edda, Poetic Edda, Sagas of the Icelanders, Norse Myths by Kevin Crossley Holland, and Gods & Myths of Northern Europe by HR Ellis Davidson, but before reading Simek's Dictionary of Northern Mythology cover to cover and looking up half the citations or delving into deep theory like Paul Bauschautz, Rosalie Wax, Carol Clover, or EOG Turville Petre) as well as a really nice supplement for experienced practitioners/Norse Mythology buffs (question is do the authors of new books on Norse Mythology know that outside of academia, probably 75% of book sales come from the Heathen/pagan community-LOL), though this book does not treat any one topic with extreme depth. It is an easy read, I finished it in just over 4 hours. For the hardcore citations with lore locations, I would stick with the Rudolf Simek, but this book is a really nice accessible addition to a Heathen or Norse Mythology library at all levels.

The reason I gave it 4 stars was not so much for the brevity, to
be complete in a work of this scope would be a 2000 page book at least, and the book does not portend to be greatly detailled, just a general survey and it does a great job at that, but because Lindow did not include a bibliography, only a brief review of literature,and I would very much have liked to look at the sources he used, especially because it seems like it was written as a starter text or a book to be used in a college class on European Mythology as something one would read over a few classes, or a general reference guide. ... Read more

Book Description
Here are thirty-two classic myths that bring the Viking world vividly to life. The mythic legacy of the Scandinavians includes a cycle of stories filled with magnificent images from pre-Christian Europe. Gods, humans, and monstrous beasts engage in prodigious drinking bouts, contests of strength, greedy schemes for gold, and lusty encounters. The Norse pantheon includes Odin, the wisest and most fearsome of the gods; Thor, the thundering powerhouse; and the exquisite, magic-wielding Freyja. Their loves, wars, and adventures take us through worlds both mortal and divine, culminating in a blazing doomsday for gods and humans alike. These stories bear witness to the courage, passion, and boundless spirit that were hallmarks of the Norse world. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (32)

There's only one thing you need to know when looking for an introduction to Norse myths...
...and that this is the book Neil Gaiman recommends on the subject.

Thor give me strength/ gib mir kraft
If you're looking for a good cheap book on norse mythology then you should buy this book. It starts off with an introduction which tell the kind of roles these myhs played in the lives of the norse. It also helps set you up with some information on some of the god's and how these myths came into being.
Then come the stories which start with the creation of the world and it ends with the destruction of it. In all you get 32 stories, most of which deal with the god's interacting with humans, dwarves and their enemies the giants. The stories themselves are told very nicely and they never get dull. The only problem one might have is trying to pronounce some of the names.
After the stories he gives information on each story on which source he used and sometimes he had to use differnt sources or how he had to altar some things so that the stories didn't contridict each other. There is also an index and a glossary at the end.
I really enjoyed this book for the stories and the history behind them and I would highly reccomend it to anyone who has an interest in the norse myths, young or old.

Must-have reference.
Finally I've found it: the book of tales of Odin, and Thor, and Bifrost, and Ragnarok! What a pleasure to read the tales that inspired so much of the world's fantasy literature! Here you'll find the background stories behind and the likes of Beowulf, the Nibelungenlied or the Volsungs' Saga, and obviously the roots of Professor Tolkien's own Middle-Earth mythology, so numerous are the similarities.

Not only are the thirty-two myths comprised in this translation very well told and captivating, but the introduction and notes are very complete and interesting, not to mention the very practical glossary and index. I haven't read Snorri Sturluson's Edda so I can't compare, but I'm pretty sure Kevin Crossley-Holland's is one of the best reference books on the subject, a must-have on one's shelf.

Wonderful!
This book is truly wonderful! The author captures the spirit of the Norse times perfectly. He keeps the myths true to the originals and manages to make it an exciting read. I would recommend this book to anyone who is interested in Norse mythology and to whoever enjoys a good book.

A Portal To An Older Time
As an avid mythology fan, I had been trying to explore the area of Norse mythology when I stumbled upon this book. I had been having trouble find a well-written, comprehensive source, as the Norse Myths are unfortunately not as widely spread as Classical or Arthurian myths. However, I had been intrigued by the brief allusions to what I'd heard.
When I began reading this book, I was amazed at how coherent the Norse world is, and this book does an excellent job at pulling it all together. The introduction to the Norse cosmology is useful and fascinating, and the tales span the creation of the world, the exploits of Odin, the imprisonment of Loki and the final Ragnarok myth amongst many others.
The book is written in a simple, yet powerful vernacular. The narrative is enrapturing and written as an old story told around a fire. (I even read a few aloud to friends.) The stories themselves are unrepentantly pagan and provide a look into an older world without any modern values insinuated into them.
Most importantly, this book is an excellent read. You can flip to a random tale and amuse yourself for 15 minutes or you can sit down for a good read and follow the saga of the Norse Gods. If you've any interest in mythology at all, I recommend it. ... Read more

Book Description

Customer Reviews (1)

A Pleasure to Read
O'Donoghue's books is a wonderful guide to the history/lore of Northern Mythology. Whether this is your chosen path, or whether you'r simply interested in this branch of mythology, Heather works with the sources and, though expressly not a believer, she makes it coherent and interesting and understandable without being simplistic or just another New Age book. This is clearly an academic book in the hands of someone who makes it into the interestesting and unique stories that constitute Norse mythology. Other than her one line that no one worships or believes in these guides any longer (not true, O'Donoghue!), this is an exceptional work, as an introduction or for those well-versed. ... Read more

Book Description
The stirring, bloody, and tragic saga that inspired such artists as Wagner, Borges, and Tolkien

Written in Iceland a century after the close of the Viking Age, The Prose Edda is the source of most of what we know of Norse mythology. Its tales are peopled by giants, dwarves, and elves, superhuman heroes and indomitable warrior queens. Its gods live with the tragic knowledge of their own impending destruction in the cataclysmic battle of Ragnarok. Its time scale spans the eons from the world’s creation to its violent end. This robust new translation captures the magisterial sweep and startling psychological complexity of the Old Icelandic original. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (7)

Brilliant, highly readable, great translation
This is a really fantastic book and the very best starting point for anyone interested in Old Norse stories. I read this much more quickly than I thought I would and I was very disappointed to get to the end - I wanted more!

Well written, good translation. Only problem with this text is the endnotes are a bit distracting - there are too many of them and in reading them they break up the flow of the text. This small distraction is well compensated for by the magic of the text as a whole.

Be forewarned
This edition is excellant, well-formatted, and enjoyable.My only reservation is that the Notes are not extensive enough, since they offer
no critical commentary, and the etymology of some important character
names, is not explored.Because All Mythology is 95% Propaganda, and
5% Truth, it is necessary to probe beneath the text, to the subtext.
For example, the Edda is told from the biased Point of View of the Aesir
royalty: High, Just as High, and Third.Though the Edda admits that much
of their claims are "conjured illusions", the reader forgets that the story was "prepared" for King Gylfi.Thus, Odin, who is the Evil Mastermind of Aesir Propaganda, is called All-Father, Lord, and Wise One;
whereas his True Color is gray Grimr, the "Masked One".Likewise, the Vanir, the Giants, the Sons of Muspell, and the Ash Tree People are all
misrepresented.And Gullveig, the True Goddess, is not even mentioned by
name, only referenced as the "Eagle" of Yggdrasil.Note that the Aesir
call the Tree of Life, the "Terrible One's Horse"; so be forewarned.

A good translation
This edition includes a good translation and a lot of useful context information.The family tress are especially helpful.

Well...
I've read less accurate but somewhat more spirited translations concerning the adventures of the Esir gods. Even so, I highly reccomend this one for those who collect classical, semi-historical or mythological stories from out of distant history as a hobby.

A needed standard
This is a standard read for anyone interested in the Nordic Path.This translation is easier to understand than some.I highly recc it! ... Read more

Book Description
A classic collection of stories by one of the best-known and most esteemed retellers of the last fifty years. Enter a world of cunning, trickery, and revenge . . . Encounter bold warriors, courageous women, strength in battle and bravery against the odds.These are the stories of the Viking gods. Drama and action abound as legendary heroes struggle against mighty giants, loathsome beasts, and sinister dwarves - even as they fight amongst themselves. * First published over forty years ago, this edition has sold continuously since.* The subject of myths and legends ties in with the National Curriculum, as does the subject of vikings.* Significant author and one of the best-known retellers. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Fun to read
After reading the mythos of several different countries, to include Egypt, China, and Japan, I've come to the conclusion that the Mythos of the Norsemen is perhaps, the most fun and enjoyable to read. I especially enjoyed the tale of why there are so many bad poets in the world. Irony, you got it. Symbolism, that too. Recommend to anyone who is just interested or who is interested in myth. The stories have a life on to themselves.

Cheers!


... Read more

Book Description
Exploring the Northern Tradition is an overview of the modern reconstruction of the ancient religion of the Germanic and Scandinavian peoples. This religion, called Heathenry, is one of the fastest growing polytheistic religious movements in the United States today with over forty thousand adherents. This book provides a thorough guide to the cosmology, values, ethics, and rituals practiced by modern Heathens.

Readers will have the opportunity to explore the sacred stories of the various Heathen Gods like Odin, Frigga, Freya, and Thor and will be granted a look into the devotional practices of modern votaries. The most common devotional rite: the faining or blót is examined in rich detail with examples given for personal use. Additionally, readers are introduced to the concept of wyrd or fate, so integral to the Heathen worldview.

Unlike many books on Heathenry, Exploring the Northern Tradition is not denomination specific, nor does it seek to overwhelm the reader with unfamiliar Anglo-Saxon or Norse terminology. For those new to Heathenry, Pagans who wish to learn more about the Norse Deities, or those simply interested in learning about this unique religion, this book is the perfect introduction. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (27)

New Age BS!!
Each race has its own racial religion... Yet this author claims that White's cannot have their own religion! She calls us "Ethnic Pagans", and claims that what we believe in is fake...

lol

This book is complete BS, and should be titled "Wicca: the religion of the brain dead"!!

A unique gem of a book.
I think all the previous reviewers have commented on the comprehensiveness of the book, but what I found irresistably appealing was the underlying sense of devotion that really came across so strongly in this book. In my opinion, this totally sets it apart from all other books that I have read on Asatru/Heathenism. The others that I have read, (and there are many), are almost all recipe books combined with history and mythology. I honestly think this is a landmark book, and I hope that this devotional theme is the forerunner and benchmark for many new offerings from authors on this subject.

does the job
I found this book to be a descent introduction to Asatru. It touches on most of the basics of the religion and provides a good overview of the practices. This is a good book for someone coming to Asatru with no previous expereince of the faith, which can be a bit of a culture shock. It does not go into very much depth but would be a good starting point for people to decide if they want to learn more, and it is easy to read and short enough to be ideal as a beginner book.

Not a bad introduction, If a bit FBL (Fluffy Bunny Love).
Exploring the Northern Tradition, Galina Krasskova

This is a fairly good introduction to, as the title states, the northern tradition.It gives abasic breakdown of several modern Norse schools of thought ranging from Folkish Tribalism to Universalism, (a.k.a. WICCATRU).While several reviewerscriticized the lack of documentation of this book, I found the footnotes to be more than adequate for this "general overview" type of work. I did think that the glossaryshould have been a little more in-depth. After all this is an introductory book and the target audience generally has little or no idea what your talking about. The bibliography and suggested reading sections were quite good for the beginner.I did like the way the book was presented. Too many Heathen/Asatru/Lore/Saga's etc works fall into one of two formats, the ridiculously cartoonish formats, ("The Rites of Odin" comes to mind) or the massive scholarly & overwhelming tome's of the ancients, (My hardcover copy of "The Kalevala" or"Sagas of the Icelanders" fall into the massive tome category). EtNT'sformat was non-intimidating, functional and respectful.
Many readers with experience inHeathenry will immediately note a slight to heavy, (depending on your view), WICCAN flavor to the work. This I attribute to the authors former associationwith that group. While I do not agree with some of the authors"insights" into Heathenism I will agree to disagree. All & all a good starting point and easy read for the beginner.


In Frith,
Spence

"Sic gorgiamus allos subjectatos nunc"
M. Addams

Beginner's Guide to Heathenry
I was looking more for an impartial study of the ancient practices of the Northern Europeans, and so was mildly disappointed to discover that it was in fact a beginner's guide to modern Heathenry. However, the book still contains a good deal of invaluble information, just ordered in a mannor I was not expecting. ... Read more

Book Description
From the creation of the universe, to its heroic battles for order, the fourteen intriguing myths in this collection come together to tell one powerful story. Young readers will be fascinated by characters like Odin, the greatest of gods, and the mighty Thor, who is able to take down vicious monsters much larger than himself. The powerful, beautifully written stories are graced by Troy Howell's arresting, dramatic paintings. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

Grant - Grade 4
Favorite Norse Myths is all about stories Norse men believed.There are 14 different stories about gods, giants, and sea serpents.The book was interesting because Norse men actually believed in these stories.It was awesome the way the author told about the myths.I love the part of the nine worlds.This is the best book I ever read.I recommend other students read it.

Fabulous
I highly recommend this book for people of all ages.

It has a pronunciation key, (As each name sounds type),in the back of the book as one of its attributes.

The biggest joy is that the authoress takes the Norse myths, which I have always found to be a perplexing bunch of near madness, and renders it all readable.This could not have been easy.Even readable and with clear stories a person can follow there's no doubt that Norse myths are difficult to feel an affinity towards.

It is a pure positive "can do" experience.The names can be pronounced, the myths followed, and thus a person can clue in.

I am not going any further with the theme of Norse myths.I only have this book and I am sticking to this book.

The artwork by Troy Powell is great.

Okay
This is more like Norse Myths for Dummies. It doesn't go into great detail, but it tells you enough of the myths so you know what's going on.

It is more for the youger groups or people who want to know the basics of Norse myths. If you're looking to do a report or to become a Norse guru, I wouldn't recommend this book.

Excellent
Mary Pope Osborne is the author of the Magic Tree House series of kids books. She tells a good story.

I learned next to nothing about Norse myths when I was a kid. My Swedish American husband checked this book out of the library to read to our 5 y.o. daughter. It was over her head then (7 y.o. is probably more appropriate), but hubby and I really enjoyed it. We've checked it out numerous times since, and probably should just buy it already! It's a fun referrence book.

Most true to actual Norse Myths.
As an advocate for pure mythology, I am pleased to say that this book is an excellent piece of historical literature.Many stories tend to stray away or add to the original writings of myths, but not this one.It goes without saying that the authors of this book did their homework and researched the actual tales.The art is magnificant, and really adds to the quality of the work.If you have children who are tired of the repeated Greek Classics, then I highly recommend this twist on the myths.I think they will appreaciate the change.Remember, this is not some watered down piece of work, this is as close, in chidren's books, to the true nature of Norse Myth as you will find.An excellent piece of work ... Read more

Book Description

Customer Reviews (1)

Succinct and Priced Right
Attempting to read the Elder Eddas without some familiarity with Norse mythology can be confusing. I got this book because it is short and inexpensive, thus providing me with the needed background without a large investment in time or money.

The book was written in Danish and translated into English a century ago. Its strong point is the succinct summaries of the Norse myths.

On the other hand, there is at least one curious omission. The book refers to the death of Baldur, but makes no reference to the story of how Baldur died, in a William Tell type archery contest.

Another strange feature is that its summary of Beowulf, which the author considered to be a Norse myth, is incorrect. Contrary to this book's claim, Beowulf did NOT cut off Grendl's arm with a sword. On the contrary, Beowulf said that he would not use a sword because Grendl did not, and pulled Grendl's arm out of its socket.

It turned out that Grendl was enchanted and so impervious to swords. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (12)

Very good but needs up dated
The Vinland Sagas
The Norse Discovery of America
By Magnusson & Palsson

The Vinland Sagas, like all the Edda's & Sagas, are very difficult to review.The Sagas are what they are, collections of original tales, Myths, family histories & genealogies of Icelandic & Scandinavian origin. They ARE history, good, bad or indifferently, after a thousand years or so, they are history.Magnusson and Palsson have given us two of the more understandable modern translations with adequate footnotes and explanations. The Authors introduction gives you an excellent and informative background on the exploration and colonization of both Greenland & Vinland. At the end of the book the Authors have included a very useful glossary like chapter titled,"List of Proper Names".I found it very useful in clarifying individuals with the same or similar names.All in all a must for any interested in Norse Lore or early American History. On a side note, my copy is over 40 years old. I hope that Penguin, (or any other publisher), will revise the books format and maps. Additionally they need to add some notes or even a chapter on the archaeological finds on this subject that have taken place in the last 40 years.

In Frith,
Spence

"Sic gorgiamus allos subjectatos nunc"
M. Addams

Excellent Intro, Readable Text
This small book is a delightful combination of an excellent introduction that provides tons of background to the sagas themselves with saga text that's very easy to read and follow.

When reading texts that have their origins so very long ago, I find it quite helpful to get a thorough and easy to understand background on what I'm about to read.The LONG introduction to these texts does just that and I thank the authors for their efforts in putting these texts in perspective for us.

And unlike some saga texts I've read, these are very easy to follow in their English form.Some English versions of Viking sagas are a real struggle to read, but these were both easy and enjoyable.

I bought this book in particular to gain some insight into the Viking exploration of North America (Vinland) and I'm totally satisfied with it. I now would like to know if these authors have published their renditions of other Viking sagas ... theirs are so much better than others I've read, I'd look forward to reading more.

finally, the real deal
Are you also tired of supermarket magazines where just about everyone in the known universe discovers America before poor Columbus? No? You should be. Forget about the Nephites, the Mandingos, the Knights Templar or space aliens from Wherever. Instead, read this: the Vinland Sagas. This is the real deal. As far as we know today, only one Old World people reached America before Columbus: the ancient Scandinavians, also known as the Norsemen, more colloqially known as Vikings.

How do we know? First, archeological excavations prove it. Second, we have the Vinland Sagas! There are two main characters in these stories: Erik the Red, who is forced to leave Iceland in a hurry after a blood feud and inadvertently discovers Greenland, and Leif Eriksson, who leads the expedition that eventually reaches North America, called "Vinland" by the Norsemen. Yepp, this actually happened, folks.

Since the word "Viking" conjures up pictures of heathens sacrificing humans, many will be surprised to learn, that Leif Eriksson was a Christian. Thus, the first European to reach America, was a Roman Catholic.

The Vinland Sagas also describe the Norsemen's encounters with American Indians. The portrait of the Indians is highly insensitive: they are called skraelings (wretches), and are described as dirty, primitive and irrational. It's chilling to contemplate that the contacts between Whites and Indians got off to such a bad start already 500 years before Columbus!

The Norsemen established several settlements in the New World, but all of them were abandoned relatively quickly. During the Middle Ages, people forgot about the Norse voyages to America, and the Vinland Sagas were regarded as fairytales. Until, one day, Columbus made that fateful journey to what he thought was Asia...

The world would never be the same again.

Fascinating and historical
I was taught in school that the Vikings may have arrived in America but that no one knew for sure.
After reading the medieval Vinland sagas, I am sure that they did explore part of this continent.
The two fascinating stories describe the Norse settlement of Greenland and America.I was enthralled by them and I highly recommend them to anyone.I have read several of the Icelandic sagas and the Vinland Sagas remain my favorites.

An awesome read!
I had to read this for my Scandinavian history class and I am very pleased with this book.It's fascinating to find out what happened with the Greenland and North American settlements by the early Icelandic peoples.My only complaint is that the book spends too much time on geneology rather than historical facts. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

A venerable classic--learn the language by your bootstraps
It seems like this book has been around forever.It was first published in 1927 and for many years was the only English language resource for learning Old Icelandic.But that didn't mean that Gordon made the process easy.There are no basic lessons of the "Helgi is a Viking.See Helgi loot" type that you normally expect to find in an introductory language text.On the contrary,Gordon provides the grammar and vocabulary all right--at the end of the book--but it's up to the user to apply them to the wide selection of classic Norse literature that he's included.It's not an impossible way to learn the language, but it can be confusing at first.Those who have a background in Old English will find it easier going because of the similarities between the two languages.

Gordon was the text my class used many years ago when I took Old Norse in grad school.I still remember my professor pointing out all its inaccuracies and criticizing the author. Nonetheless, between Gordon, Zoega's dictionary (now available online), and a xerox of "Gunnlaug's Saga," we muddled through.Learning a language by parsing each word is tedious, but it does give one a sense of accomplishment.

In addition to the grammar and literary selections, Gordon contains a lengthy historical introduction to Old Norse literature.It's out-of-date by now, but still a good place to start.As for the selections themselves, they provide a fairly broad overview."Hrafnkel's Saga," a gem of a character study, is given in its entirety. There are selections from Snorri and fromthe Vinland sagas, among other pieces.The only complaint that I have is that Gordon is a little light on the poetry.The humorous "Thrymskvida" (sorry about the spelling) and "The Waking of Angantyr," an eerie little piece not included in the standard eddic canon, are the major poems.

Whether or not you use Gordon as your primary grammar, its selection of litearture makes it a worthy companion for the student of Old Icelandic.My copy is now battered and missing its spine, but it still has a place on my bookshelf.

yay!
Man, this book was something I'd been searching for. I am one of the self taught speakers of Old Icelandic, and it's not like there is a whole lot of Runic inscriptions to be translated in Richmond Virginia. Rather then allowing my Old Icelandic skills to sit their and gather dust on a shelf in my skull, I now have something to read!

Good, but here's another idea...
This is a very nice book and the one we used in my Old Norse class at BYU, and the selections are all very good, very interesting.However, I agree with the reviewer that this is, despite the title, hardly the best introdruction to the language.

What I recommend is this:Get yourself Stefán Einarsson's fine book, "Icelandic:Grammar, Texts, Glossary", which is set up in lessons for the beginner and which you can get real cheap here at Amazon.That book is modern Icelandic, so the readings aren't about Egill Skallagrímsson or Snorri's Edda, but not only is the Old Norse spirit very much alive in modern Iceland (and all the people very familiar with the old stories), but the language has changed extraordinarily little in the last thousand years (very very minor things), so that if you learn modern Icelandic even reasonably well (which you will from Einarsson), you can easily pick up the sagas with no problem.

Then, when you've finished with his book, you can get Gordon, which will be much more enjoyable then.Alternatively, you can get the texts of lots of the sagas online from Icelandic sites and get hardcopy English versions here at Amazon to use as "ponies".(Hrafnkels saga is a good one to start with, or Snorra Edda.)Good luck!

But not for beginners
Please don't send away 30 dollars thinking that this book is going to teach you to read Old Norse / Old Icelandic.If you're hoping for a basic grammar, with graded lessons, you're going to be disappointed.This is an excellent work, an indispensable work, but it's a reader for those who have already learned the basics of Old Icelandic.

After a brief introduction to Scandinavian history, the Viking expansion, and saga literature, the author gives about 160 pages of West Norse, normalized into classical Icelandic.Most of the selections are from the sagas, and they are well annotated, and a full vocabulary is included in the back of the book.There is also a section on what he calls "East Norse" (the Old Norse particular to Denmark, Norway and Sweden), and a small section dealing with the language of the runic inscriptions.

There is a 40 or 50 page section where he presents the grammar, but it's more along the lines of an outline of the grammar.It's sufficient for someone who already has a good knowledge of Old English, OHG, or Gothic, but my hat's off to anyone with the determination to acquire a reading knowledge of the language from this grammatical sketch alone.

There's the rub: where DO you get the introduction to Old Icelandic that will enable you to use this book with benefit?The superb learning grammar "Old Icelandic: an Introductory Course" by Valfells and Cathey is out of print.Kenneth Chapman wrote "Graded Readings and Exercises in Old Icelandic" about 35 years ago, but that's disappeared as well.Until either of those works is reprinted, or a new introduction is written, it's going to be tough.

But none of this is meant to take anything away from Gordon's work; it's a wonderful, scholarly work.Problem is, you really do need to have something of a background before you use it.

A very good introduction to the Norse language
G.V. Gordon's book is an excellent introduction tothe Old Norse Language.It explains the intricacies of Norse grammar lucidly, and is very easy to work with.The fact that one cannot obtain it here, is really unfortunate; however, on the positive side, I know for a fact that at leastone other major internet site has it. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (8)

This is Essential Asatru
This is one of those books where you expect to find one kind of information only to find a more important history lesson on being Asatru.

Not as FBL as I Expected
Very nice, understandably written introduction to Norse Paganism.Paxson's book coversa great deal of informationin a short period of time. As an introduction to Asatru it does have all the essentials. I won't retread the points that most of reviewers have already covered.
Probably the most useful section of the bookto me was, "Toasts, Boasts & Oaths".For those of you who are new to Norse Paganism, the section on , "Surviving Your First Heathen Event",is an absolute must read. Additionally the, "Asatru and Wicca",section drew some distinctions between the faiths and will give the novice some pat answers to often asked questions..
I rather liked the, "Heathen Holy Days", section and disagree with the reviewer who stated that they were "Wiccan with a few Asatru concepts grudgingly allowed".The most widely recognized dayswere marked with a Volknot while other celebrations & commemorations are so blatantly obvious that no explanation is needed, i.e., Leif Eriksson Day & Columbus Day.If these holidays were influenced by Wiccan thought then why is there no Norse version Samhaim?
All and all yet another good introductorybook on Asatru/Heathenism. Enough detail to get you more interested but not bored. Consider "Essential Asatru" as the Cliff'sNotes to "Our Troth vol. I & II". This book and Krasskova's "Exploring the Northern Tradition" compliment each other well and will point newcomers in the right general direction. After that they, (the newcomers), should be able tofigure things out on their own.

In Frith,
Spence

"Sic gorgiamus allos subjectatos nunc"
M. Addams

Great introduction
This book is a wonderful introduction to heathenry and Asatru, and I would recommend it to anyone trying to get a quick snapshot into whether the religion is right for them.While I thought the table of correspondences for the gods was a bit ceremonial for my taste, I understand why Ms. Paxson chose to use them.Many newbies search for tangible and tactile ways to make their connections and this may be useful.

I also really liked the chapter introductions which fictionalized an actual ritual/sumbel.They really captured the essence and feel, and I hope some may be turned to visiting a real kindred to see that depth of emotion and connection to the gods.

Not a main course.
When I received this book, I racked my brain trying to figure out why the author's name was so familiar. By the time I got to the acknowledgements, I had the light bulb go off in my head. Ms. Paxson is the very same author who penned those wonderful fiction books with Marion Zimmer Bradley. These very books were my introduction into the worlds of magic back in my 20s. I settled in for what I was sure was to be a very enjoyable ride.

Each chapter starts off with a scene from a Heathen ritual. From this scene the chapter goes off into small segments of history, customs or mythology based on Norse Paganism. The chapters are divided into three sections called "Rounds" and follow the lines of a typical Heathen ritual. The first section (Round one) is dedicated to Heroes and Ancestors, the second is for Gods and Goddesses, and the final one is entitled Toasts, Boast and Oaths. Following these sections there are some pages with resources, a bibliography and an index. I'm not sure an index is necessary though, as the main body of the book is barely 200 pages long.

This book is a basic introduction for a non-Heathen. It is very lean and briefly touches on many topics. It was an easy read and did not require much effort from the reader. I would have liked to see more of Ms. Paxson's story telling ability in evidence in the mythological sections instead of a bland recounting of the facts related to each personality.

Although I have been to several boasting rituals in the last few decades, I really wasn't aware of many of the backgrounds behind the rites. This book cleared up many of my misconceptions and some of my ignorance on this fascinating branch of Paganism. The book sheds light on the kindred for the non-heathen, but it is so short and only touches on the surface of so many topics, I doubt anyone but a non-heathen would get much out of it. I would classify this book as an appetizer only, but a tasty tidbit non-the-less.

Reviewed by W. Lyon Martin - Auhtor/illustrator of "An Ordinary Girl, A Magical Child."

great introduction to asatru
This book is an excellent basic introduction to asatru, especially for those coming to it from the broader neopagan community. It presents the principles and beliefs of the religion in a very straight forward manner, providing a good base for people to decide if they want to learn more. It is also the perfect book to give to curious friends and family to help them understand the heathen in their life. I loved that each chapter is opened with a fictional ritual scene which not only helps illustrate the books points but also gives a descent overview of the heathen community. I also liked that, unlike many other heathen books, while presenting some history of the religion this one doesn't get bogged down in historic names and dates. It covers all the "essential" facts in an entertaining and engaging way, and really gives the reader a feel for Asatru as a vibrant modern religion. ... Read more

Product Description
This accessible and reflective book will appeal to anyone with an interest in mythology and storytelling. It has two sections: a retelling of the myths, then an analysis of their sources, meaning, and application to modern people. We think Rossman is uniquely qualified both to tell these tales and to reflect upon their value for modern times, and that The Northern Path is far more than just another collection of Norse myths.Rossman is well acquainted with the work of Carl Jung and Joseph Campbell. For the past 25 years, he's not only studied Norse mythology but also told these tales to live audiences, as the Norse skalds told them centuries ago, and interacted with audiences about their meaning and relevance for today. He has worked with the myths both with adults and with Norwegian-American youngsters at the Sons of Norway's Camp Norway, and has made the myths, the runes, and their wisdom part of his own personal journey. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Retellings From A Modern-Day Skáld
In the manner of mainstream" thinking, the concept of myth or mythology would immediately bring to mind something false, something untrue or unreal... that which is contrary to accepted logic, history, or scientifically objective" fact. For so many years, the myths of our People had been relegated to a realm akin to something of mere fairytales or fantasy. To no surprise, it has been a long run for the mindset that so many -but certainly not all- scholars held, in which the myths were assigned their role in explanation of natural phenomena and other occurrences that our seemingly dull-witted ancestors simply could not account for otherwise. This, of course stands in contrast to how Heathen (and culturally-appreciative non-Heathen) properly understand the role that our ancestors' mythology served within their society (as it does within our own)- a comprehension that has spread beyond its marginal bounds in recent years especially, and has begun to shift the perceptions of an ever-widening circle of post-modern Thinkers away from the equation of mythology with an idea of primitive misunderstanding".

A living mythology plays a key role in both the preservation and communication of information in a revealing and deeply insightful manner. Through myth, we are afforded a unique perspective into a People's underlying Worldview. It is a means towards a deeper realization, and an honest glimpse into a culture's innermost spiritual realities. As Rossman points out, the value of myth lies in the human attempt to explore and explain those parts of the outer and inner worlds that do not yet -and may never- lend themselves to objective testing. Simply put, science attempts to answer the what" and how" questions of the universe, while the question lying at the heart of myth is why".

Our journey along The Northern Path is one of spiritual exploration and inner discovery. The profound wisdoms of our ancestors which were carefully encrypted within the mythic cycles of the North are skillfully brought to life through Rossman's vivid retellings, in four distinct parts.

The first begins with The Creation, and carries us through The Trials of Odin, to the War of the Gods and the building of The Walls of Asgard. We learn how The Mead of Poetry is won, and of the shaping of the Gifts for the Gods. We are told the tales of The Theft of Thor's Hammer and the wooing of Gerd, and are introduced to Loki's Children. In the second section, we are presented with The Oldest Troll Tale in the account of Grendel and His Mother. In the third, The Ring of Doom looms darkly before us in five episodes- from Otter's Blood Price to the heroic Coming of Sigurd, his epic meeting with the dragon, Fafnir and the awakening of Brynhild, to the eventual tragedy that befalls Sigurd and Brynhild -when Andvari's Curse Strikes Again. Part four opens with Thor's adventures in the realm of the giants: Thor's Visit to Utgard, Thor Goes Fishing, Thor's Duel with Hrungnir, Thor and the Giant Geirröd. The tales of The Apples of Idunn and Skadi's Choice follow, along with the grave misfortune of The Death of Balder, and the subsequent Binding of Loki. Ragnarök, The Doom of the Gods closes both the fourth part, and the first section of the book.

The second section of The Northern Path brings us to an examination of the myths themselves. Here, we are presented with ten chapters that explore those hoary wisdoms and primeval truths so well-preserved within such ageless tales. This leg of our journey appropriately begins with the forward, The Trailhead to the Northern Path, and leads us into an informed study on The Nature and Relevance of Myth. The reader is then presented with the The Sources of the Norse Myths and seven chapters of discussion on Gods, Giants, and even Runes. A short dissertation on dragons is also presented, as well as the closing discussion on Ragnarök and what lies beyond. Rossman is also mindful topresent a table of virtues, just before rounding out the main text of the volume with the afterword, Echoes of Odin- Mythic Survival and Revival. As to be expected, Rossman provides ample explanatory footnotes and select bibliography.

The Northern Path is a well-rounded work worthy of serious consideration, and is an asset to any Heathen library. Rossman is a true skáld, who ably follows in the footsteps of the skálds of old, and his skills shine throughout his retellings. Quite comfortable with the myths of his Fathers, he succeeds well in making these noble tales his own", through a flowing style that pulls our mythology out of the pages, into animated spells of carefully woven words. Take a moment or two to read a few of the passages -if not a whole tale or two- aloud as you read along ...let their dynamic quality stir your soul... hear the whisperings of the Gods of our People... let their saga inspire you to walk along The Northern Path.

Good
This is an excellement book that I would recommend to Odinists/Asatruar, simply because it is such an entertaining work, that uses a somewhat modern, often humorous perspective in the retelling of our ancient stories. Dag has been telling these tales to live audiences for years, and uses his experience in doing so to present them in this book. If you are looking for a book to help in relating our sacred stories to children or reciting them before the folk, this certainly has some great ideas and a wonderful format for doing so.

Of course, in my own research I am at odds with some of the stuff in here, such as Hel being Loki's daughter, the cosmology, etc. but this doesn't take away from the overall concept. I often find that most mythologists rely too heavily on the Prose Edda, and don't consider the other sources enough, but in most areas Dag does seem to do his homework. The latter half of the book is also valuable, in explaining and interpreting these stories while showing us how to apply them in our lives. This alone is worth purchasing the book for.

I would say that The Northern Path is worth checking out and would be an interesting and valuable addition to anyone's library. ~Mark Puryear

The best book of its kind I have ever read.
Having Swedish-American ancestry, I have long been interested in the mythology and lore of Scandinavia and Northern Europe and rightly treasure the old stories and poems of the Northern Gods, Goddesses, and Heroes. I remember first discovering the POETIC EDDA and PROSE EDDA and how, reading them, made me feel like I had "come home." Now, unexpectedly, I have re-experienced much of that original excitement. Through over-familiarity, I had forgotten how good these stories are as stories. And how did I recapture old feelings of once new discoveries? I read the new book by Douglas "Dag" Rossman. In this book Dag has preserved in writing his excellent storyteller versions of many of myfavorite tales of the Northland, including an excerpt from BEOWULF! That alone would make the book worth reading.

As a writer who has written several novels of my own in a Scandinavian mythos setting, I admire the way in which Dag's clear prose breathes life into the characters who people Northern Lore. For example, In his retelling of how the Thunder God Thor got his Hammer back from the Giants who had stolen it, Thor's reluctance to trick his way into the giant's lair by disguising himself in the clothing of the beautiful Goddess Freya has the appropriate comic touch when the bold and brawny Defender of Asgard complains, "The guys will never let me live it down!" Others of the stories, however, are of course not funny at all. Dag retells the cosmic tragedy of Balder's death in a way that produced for me appropriately strong emotions. But wait, there's more!

The second part of the book is titled "The Northern Path to Wisdom and Balance."And the afterward, "Echoes of Odin--Mythic Survival and Revival," adds yet another reason why I greatly appreciated this book. So! I heartily recommend Dag's new book to anyone young or old who has an interest in the stories and lore of Scandinavia and Northern Europe. Whether discovering these stories and the Northern worldview for the first time or revisiting the tales and concepts of the Northern Path, in my opinion a better book than this one would be impossible to find. Read it yourself. Read it to your children. Give a copy to your local library. And have yourself some important, thoughtful fun!
... Read more

Customer Reviews (28)

Could have been a Cornerstone for Norse Magick Literature
This is one of the first books many Wiccan beginners seem to be drawn to.I read this book only after reading the heavier Asatru volumes first.It's like climbing a glazier than later facing a hillock,going back to the base of the mountain. I wanted to like this paperback,yet it insults the Craft and real Witches.It's a cheap cartoonish way of presenting what Nordic Magickal Witchcraft is all about.Most people who read this book are the same ones who abandon the Craft in a year or two anyway.The Celtic Magick book was only slightly better than this one.It's simply written,yet she may be targeting a younger audience to start with.The same ones who read 'Larry Potter' or watch 'Sabra the Teen Witch'.I guess if anything that is good about reading this fluff, is that it may nurture a few budding witches to strive further along the path,straight towards becoming serious Earth worshippers of her Sabbaths.I hope she writes some better researched and structured pagan books than this one's presented format.

Awsome
Loved the book, very informative.One of the best books on Norse mythology and written to date.Thank you D.J.I'd recommend this book to anyone interested in it's context.

Ignore this book
If I could give it no stars I would. More Wiccatru babble that needs to go to the recycler.

Good in a way
This book is mostly "wiccan" Lleywllyn nonsense, however the short chapter on the runes is worth spending the 5 99 this book costs. I liked the meanings Conway gives for the runes and the way in which the chapter is organized.zthe rest of the book leaves a lot to be desired with a few exceptions in her brief, and I must stress brief, telling of some Norse mythology. Deffinently one that can't hurt the study of runes but by no means a difinitive guide for anyone.

Maybe not as bad as we might think............................
This is my perspective on this book......

This book is filled with many errors. Here goes:

1. Djinni, Sylphs, and Gnomes are not a part of the Northern Tradition. Sylphs are Greek, Gnomes are Roman, Djinni are Persian. D.J. Conway, you have sinned!

2. Like many Wiccans, she insists on trying to merge Celtic and Germanic holidays. For an example, Samhain and Yule, all though celebrated on different months, represent the same thing. This is because the *growing seasons* for the Celts and the Teutons were different because they were located in different parts of Europe.
Shame on you, D.J. Conway. You have sinned!

3. Some Heathens may feel that "casting a circle" is not a part of Germanic Magic. Not true. This technique is mentioned in Anglo Saxon Manuscripts. See the Travelers Charm Anglo Saxon Magic by Godfrid Storms as well as Leechcraft by Stephen Pollinton. Therefore, this can be forgiven.

4. She made the error of mentioning Earth, Air, Fire, and Water as elements to be called in the corners. This comes from Greco-Roman sources. However, in the Prose Edda (the creation myth), there are five major elements mentioned: Ice (which is North), Fire (which is South) , Earth (which is "in the middle"), as well as Air and Water. The last two are not given any kind of directional qaulities in the creation myth, HOWEVER, the Vanaheim is said to be in the west and it is "watery" and their is a Storm Ent in the shape of an eagle the generates winds in Jotunheim, which is "to the east". She does say that one can opt to use the Earth, Air, Fire, Water, and Ice elements and she does alot them in the appropiate directions and even mentioned the dwarves Nordhri, Sudhri, Austri, and Vestri. Therefore, she can be forgiven for this.

5. She mentions the "raising the cone of power". Many Heathens may disagree with this practice....I however, absolutely do not. In anceint germanic times there was a rite called the May Pole Dance in which participants dance around a pole while tying ribbons around it, this is done on "May Day" which is sacred to Freya and Frey. Here is the thing: A) energies ARE being raised, B)this is being done in a circular area and C) there is a pole in the middle. Therefore, if energy was being raised it would in fact form into a cone. This is basic geometry. Once again, this can be forgiven.

6. The last part of the book contains charms and various magics centered around herbs, stones, and metals. In all actuality, I actually didn't see anything that would contradict the practice of witchcraft as it was practiced by our ancestors. She also mentions the elves and the dwarves and there roles in the use of these substances. Don't see any problem there. Witchcraft, as a West Germanic magical practice (and not Wicca) is an ART, not a science. It is totally formless. ::makes a hammer sign:: You have been forgiven, D.J. Conway.

7. She mentions the use of an iron cauldron. This is non-Traditional because in anceint witchcraft it was beleived that iron is offensive to the spirits contained in the plants. This is beleived in alot of different cultures. I would not recommend burning herbs in them, and you may find that it has a distruptive presense when you try to raise power. Actually, this is why a "witch bottle" is used a a source of protection against witchcraft...it has nine nails made of iron inside of it. D.J. Conway, you have sinned!


What we have to consider is that some aspects of Wicca did in fact come from the West Germanic Tradition (like the casting of a circle and the raising of the cone of power as well as the use of metals, herbs, stones, and verbal chants), however it did get altered by ceremonial magic influences (ie the use of athames and the pentacle...but even then their is new evidence pointing to the use of a pentacle in the Northern Tradition, this symbol is found on belt buckles as well as arrangements of rocks in Northern Europe).

I think that this book would of been alot better if she did more research into West Germanic Folklore and covered things such as Familiars/Fetches (which were in fact used), Fith-Fath (or shapeshifting), the traditional use of the besom, hyde-faring (or "astral projection") through the Nine Worlds, Soul Lore, the role of the Dark Master and Scourging.

So really, this book has alot of mistakes. But it isn't totally worthless and has acted as a springboard for Greater Works for many people who are involved in the Northern Tradition. ... Read more

Book Description
Ancient myths, populated by gods and giants, were  invented by the imaginative Norsemen centuries  ago. Everything from the creation of the world to  daily events and supernatural occurrences form the  basis for these incredible, fun and fascinating  stories. Complete with a Reader's Companion: a  combination index, glossary, pronunciation and reader's  guide. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (27)

Not Free SF Reader
A reasonably gentle and good introduction to Norse mythology, with some pictures to add to the entertainment.Here you get the stories of Odin, of Thor and Loki.Not to mention Baldur, Sif, Loki, Heimdall and all the goings on with giants, dwarves, magic weapons, frost giants and at the end the whole Ragnarok thing.

Its being reprinted at last!!!!!!!!!
It being reprinted! Its being reprinted at last, and in hard cover!!!!!

It is being retitled "D'Aulaires' Book of Norse Myths" and can now be pre-ordered from Amazon.

A welcoming door into the Old Norse Worldview is closed!
Like so many folks, I had a copy of this book as a child and it always fascinated me, mostly because of the beautiful and unusual art. The stories puzzled me, being raised in the modernChristian and scientific tradition, and I found them strange as a child. But as I grew into a greater and more open minded appreciation of my Norwegian heritage, I decided to re-read them as a way of sampling some fond memories from my childhood. Reading the book anew and enjoying the artwork all the more, I realized they were a most wonderful introduction to an ancient worldview of a people who lived in a very harsh climate. All the forces of nature that can make us feel so small, a raging sea, an avalanche, a vast and beautiful forest, the towering peaks of an awsome fjord, have been personified in the old Norse pantheon. It is fascinating still to read of the explanations this culture offered for the harsh forces of nature in their worldly experience. The worldview of the ancient Norse is presented in this book so clearly and so accesibly, it is a wonder and a treasure to read. I sure do wish I could share it with my children. I am sorry their youth is passing and this book is not in a reprinted version. It is unfortunate that the book about the Greek Gods and Heroes by the same author can be reprinted but this one cannot. It is a shame that such an important contribution to the traditions of Europe and America, in the form of these tales in this wonderful book, is being neglected. I hope it will be reprinted one day so that I can enjoy this book again and share it with those I love.

A true classic
I remember this book from way back in the day.I was still in elementary school when I first read it.The stories and illustrations were vividly implanted in my brain.Particularly that of Thor, the red bearded god of thunder and Odin, father of the gods.And Ragnarok of course.Although I always thought that Odin went out like a chump.Eaten in one bite by the Fenris wolf, for shame.Recently, I found an old copy at a local libaray.It was a refreshing trip down memory lane.Too bad it is out of print.Oh well, there will always be the memories.

The best children's book of Norse mythology...ever!
This book was the first, and to date best, book of Norse mythology I read.I single-handedly read my third grade teacher's copy to pieces, along with the D'Aulaire book of Greek mythology.The beautiful illustrations stuck in my head, and have become permantly associated with the stories.I was influenced so much that I am now studying to be a professional medievalist, with a particular emphasis in Germanic/Northern European literature.The D'Aulaire books are a must have for any parent, teacher, or lover of mythology.Hopefully the publishers will re-print this book so we can all afford it! ... Read more

Book Description
This major survey of Old Norse-Icelandic literature and culture demonstrates the remarkable continuity of Icelandic language and culture from medieval to modern times.

• Comprises 29 chapters written by leading scholars in the field
  
• Reflects current debates among Old Norse-Icelandic scholars
  
• Pays attention to previously neglected areas of study, such as the sagas of Icelandic bishops and the fantasy sagas
  
• Looks at the ways Old Norse-Icelandic literature is used by modern writers, artists and film directors, both within and outside Scandinavia
  
• Sets Old Norse-Icelandic language and literature in its wider cultural context