ISBN Norse Mythology ( A Guide to Gods Heroes Rituals and Beliefs ) 384 pages English

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 jötnar 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.