Viking Myths And Sagas

Written in consultation with leading academics.

Through a combination of archaeological artifacts and early writings, historians have recovered much of a lifestyle and philosophy that once rivaled those of Greece and Rome. Even today the names of figures from northern mythology, from Odin and Thor to the Valkyries, have not lost their power to excite the imagination. Richly illustrated.

Illustrated with 180 photographs, artworks and maps, Norse Myths is an exciting, engaging and highly informative exploration of a fascinating and highly influential world that will appeal to anyone interested in folklore and history.

This awe-inspiring collection brings together the complete mythologies of the Norse peoples, from the story of Brunhild to the tricks of Loki. Guerber's prose beautifully captures the spirit, humor and romance of these stories and are perfect for anyone wanting an excellent grounding in the Norse myths. A chapter comparing Norse mythology with Greek mythology is a fascinating additional draw to this edition. Evoking a land of gods, giants, elves and dwarves, Myths of the Norsemen will enthrall anyone interested in the legends of the Nordic countries. ABOUT THE SERIES: Arcturus Classic Myths and Legends brings together beautiful retellings of mythologies from different traditions, from Celtic to Native American.

The myths and legends of the Norsemen have entertained both old and young alike for hundreds of years. This fascinating collection contains stories retold from the Icelandic Eddas, the principal sources of knowledge of Norse mythology, and the Sagas of the ancient world of the Vikings. Following the deeds of the powerful Norse gods, such as Odin, Thor and Loki, and filled with a host of fantastic creatures and objects containing magical properties, the tales in Norse Mythology will conjure up a world of heroism and romance that will enthrall readers.

From the creation of time to the end of the cosmos passing through the most famous adventures of Odin, Thor, and Loki: visit with your heroes and your heroines the nine extraordinary worlds of Norse mythology!Explore the fjords and sail through ocean storms, meet mythological beings and participate in parties worthy of the gods, fight with them in epic battles against legendary monsters!This collection of tales is a fascinating journey into the legends of the north and is accompanied by illustrations and insights to better orientate yourself in the universe of the Vikings and their gods.An illustrated book to read aloud, full of dialogues, written to be told and to answer some of the classic questions about the characters and the most beautiful stories of Norse mythology.Who are the gods and goddesses?Is Loki really Odin's son? (spoiler: no!)Where do monsters and giants come from?What is Ragnarok?What is the secret of the runes?Is Edda the name of Snorri's wife? Suitable for children and teenagers, this book is also recommended for adults who want to get a general idea and then go deeper with further research.

In a land of ice, great warriors search for glory... When a dragon threatens the people of the north, only one man can destroy the fearsome beast. Elsewhere, a mighty leader gathers a court of champions, including a noble warrior under a terrible curse. The Earth's creation is described; tales of the gods and evil Frost Giants are related; and the dark days of Ragnarok foretold. Journey into a realm of legend, where heroes from an ancient age do battle with savage monsters, and every man must live or die by the sword ...

Tolkien’s wizard Gandalf, Wagner’s Valkyrie Brünnhilde, Marvel’s superhero the Mighty Thor, the warrior heading for Valhalla in Led Zeppelin’s “Immigrant Song,” and Donald Crisp’s portrayal of Leif Eriksson in the classic film The Viking—these are just a few examples of how Icelandic medieval literature has shaped human imagination during the past 150 years. Echoes of Valhalla is a unique look at modern adaptations of the Icelandic eddas (poems of Norse mythology) and sagas (ancient prose accounts of Viking history, voyages, and battles) across an astonishing breadth of art forms. Jón Karl Helgason looks at comic books, plays, travel books, music, and films in order to explore the reincarnations of a range of legendary characters, from the Nordic gods Thor and Odin to the saga characters Hallgerd Long-legs, Gunnar of Hlidarendi, and Leif the Lucky. Roaming the globe, Helgason unearths echoes of Nordic lore in Scandinavia, Britain, America, Germany, Italy, and Japan. He examines the comic work of Jack Kirby and cartoon work of Peter Madsen; reads the plays of Henrik Ibsen and Gordon Bottomley; engages thought travelogues by Frederick Metcalfe and Poul Vad; listens to the music of Richard Wagner, Edward Elgar, and the metal band Manowar; and watches films by directors such as Roy William Neill and Richard Fleischer, outlining the presence of the eddas and sagas in these nineteenth- and twentieth-century works. Altogether, Echoes of Valhalla tells the remarkable story of how disparate, age-old poetry and prose originally recorded in remote areas of medieval Iceland have come to be a part of our shared cultural experience today—how Nordic gods and saga heroes have survived and how their colorful cast of characters and adventures they went on are as vibrant as ever.