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.
Drawing on a wide range of souces, the author has re-created 32 classic Norse Myths that compete in power with Greek mythology.
| Acknowledgments | xi | |
| Introduction | xiv | |
| The Norse World | xiv | |
| Cosmology | xx | |
| The Pantheon | xxv | |
| Sources | xxxii | |
| The Literary Structure of the Myths | xxxvi | |
| Approach | xxxix | |
| The Myths | ||
| 1 | The Creation | 3 |
| 2 | The War of the Aesir and Vanir | 7 |
| 3 | The Building of Asgard's Wall | 9 |
| 4 | Lord of the Gallows | 15 |
| 5 | The Song of Rig | 18 |
| 6 | The Mead of Poetry | 26 |
| 7 | Loki's Children and the Binding of Fenrir | 33 |
| 8 | The Theft of Idun's Apples | 38 |
| 9 | The Marriage of Njord and Skadi | 44 |
| 10 | The Treasures of the Gods | 48 |
| 11 | Skirnir's Journey | 54 |
| 12 | The Lay of Grimnir | 59 |
| 13 | The Necklace of the Brisings | 65 |
| 14 | The Lay of Thrym | 70 |
| 15 | The Lay of Vafthrudnir | 75 |
| 16 | Thor's Journey to Utgard | 80 |
| 17 | The Lay of Hymir | 95 |
| 18 | Hyndla's Poem | 100 |
| 19 | Thor's Duel with Hrungnir | 104 |
| 20 | Odin and Billing's Daughter | 112 |
| 21 | Gylfi and Gefion | 114 |
| 22 | The Lay of Harbard | 116 |
| 23 | The Ballad of Svipdag | 121 |
| 24 | Thor and Gerriod | 127 |
| 25 | The Lay of Loddfafnir | 133 |
| 26 | Otter's Ransom | 136 |
| 27 | The Lay of Alvis | 143 |
| 28 | Balder's Dreams | 147 |
| 29 | The Death of Balder | 150 |
| 30 | Loki's Flyting | 162 |
| 31 | The Binding of Loki | 169 |
| 32 | Ragnarok | 173 |
| Notes | 179 | |
| Glossary | 237 | |
| Bibliography | 254 | |
| Index | 263 |
Anonymous
Posted January 31, 2004
In my collection of Norse Mythology books, this one is my absolute favorite. It's the only book on the Norse that I have read that has an unbiased opinion on the Norse God, Loki, and shows how his demeanor was at the begining of the stories, neither dipicting him as a devil or a tyrant.
6 out of 6 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted January 11, 2001
Crossley-Holland makes these 32 stories easy and informative for the beginning student of Norse culture and mythology. He also gives alternate readings to his versions and a glossary of all the important names just in case you get lost. The book was amazing and I recommend it to anyone who is interested in religion or mythology.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted June 29, 2005
This not only competes with greek mythology, it overpowers it!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted February 1, 2013
I originally purchased this book for a Nordic mythology class, but I'm enjoying the heck out of these stories (especially the one where Thor dresses up as Freyja).
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Odin_Allfather
Posted April 17, 2012
Very clean writing style, easy to read, and great storytelling skills by the author. I'd Highly recommend it!
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted June 5, 2011
This book is a great journey through Norse mythology. It is written so clearly that someone with little or no background in the mythology can easily follow it and learn a great deal. When others ask about Norse mythology, this is the book I start them on.
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Posted February 23, 2004
An incredible work. Easy to read. Full of poetic images but with easy to read prose style. A must have for any one who likes fantsy, Tolkein or myths.
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Posted March 26, 2010
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Posted December 3, 2008
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Posted December 31, 2008
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Posted July 7, 2010
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Overview
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...