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 (5)

Absolutely Wonderful!
I love this book! It is such a wonderful retelling of the old Norse Myths, as well as a good introduction to them. I have been reading this book to my wife to give her a good understanding of why I am interested in Asatru and the old Religion of Northern Europe.

Nice Storytelling
This is a good book for you to read to your kids. The Eddas are told with a modern twist and the author is very entertaining. I just finished the 1st part of the book, the actual stories, and have not yet begun to read the author's spiritual applications of the Eddas. As a modern day Skald the author is very good at storytelling; however, this is not an academic rendition of the Eddas, but it is a good book to read to your kids.

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!
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Product Description
More than 400 alphabetically listed entries identify and explain the characters, events, and important places of Norse mythology. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Informative.
This book gives very detailed explanations about every aspect of Norse Mythology that you can think of. I does however seem a bit jumbled at time but definatly worth it. ... Read more

Product Description
Elves. . .dwarves. . .gnomes. . .frost giants. . .Norse mythology is filled with tales of such supernatural beings, nature spirits, and powerful deities. Many people know that the Norse people were fierce warriors, but did you know that they were powerful magicians as well?

Norse Magic has everything you need to learn in order to begin practicing Norse spirituality. Discover the history and religion of the Vikings, including Norse mythology, seasonal festivals, and magical techniques.

If you are interested in practicing Norse Wicca, you'll learn about the three-fold goddess and the god, as well as how to celebrate the holidays, all from the perspective of Norse Paganism. Discover the secrets of herb magic, cauldron magic, cord magic, elf magic, dwarf magic, and more! These magical techniques are presented in a clear, step-by-step format.

The practice of Norse magic enlists the help of the Asa-Gods, Light Elves and good Dwarves. It elicits aid from dead ancestors and the rulers of the Elements. It is an active magic, reserved for participants, not bystanders. In order to work the magic of this system you must attune yourself to the powers of the Elements, calling upon the Asa-Gods and other supernatural beings. Norse Magic includes complete instructions, exercises, and rituals for this technique.

The Norse pagans were one of the last European societies to convert to Christianity, but their pagan mythology and magic survived and continues to thrive. Norse Magic is your key to the study and practice this powerful and ancient spiritual system.


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Customer Reviews (31)

Norse Flavored Wicca-Sounds Good!
I am fascinated with Norse mythology and worship.This book helped me to focus my wicca practice.Some of the facts in this book have been simplified and reinterpreted to fit wicca practices.Who says wicca has to be a narrow path?This book is a beginners guide and gives you everything you need to start worshiping the Gods and Goddesses today.Very good book!

Changed MY life!
I don't think this book was an attempt at traditional Nordic religious practices. It heavily mixes the Norse religion with Wicca, and as with most books of this time, is also flavored by the author's point of view and opinions. Which is fine; as long as you know that going in. And as others have mentioned, the Runes section of this book is amazing. Worth the price just for that alone. As an 11 year old boy (I'm 25 now), studying different paths of Wicca (my mother's religion) I felt very drawn to the Nordic deities and this book was a GREAT cross over from what I was used to, to where I wanted to be. Little did I know, sitting in the back of class in Middle School, reading and re-reading this book, exactly how much it would end up changing my life. Despite the author's warnings, I was drawn to Loki and he remains my patron deity today. The author was not amiss in her warnings. Loki is NOT a god for everyone. And I often refer to the Runes section of this book over many others. I recommend this book for any Wiccan who's interested in Nordic mythology, but like all subjects, don't limit yourself to just one book. This is a great, wonderful, informative place to start. But keep in mind it is just a STARTING place. The worlds of the Norse gods are far too large to fit into such a small book. Pick up 'Norse Magic', and I hope it sparks a love for these deities that takes you well beyond.

Norse Magic Review
The book's okay... just don't open it expecting to do Norse Traditional magic from it... as it's more like the Author's take on fitting Norse mythology to the Wiccan Framework of Religion.

A starting point...
This book is a good starting point for both Wiccans and Heathens because it lays down the frame-work for what the seeker wants out of his or her religious path. If you want cold hard facts on the Heathen way, then this book is only good for its mythology. If you are seeking a Germanic style of Wicca, then this is your book. The idea behind the book is an excellent one (way too many people are bashing it) and there is room for change and growth. This book is not based on fact...heck, a lot of spiritual books aren't based on fact, so don't take everything the author says as the "ultimate" truth. It is inexpensive and easy to read.

More Fluff
From a publisher that specializes in New-Age fluff and fantasy, this book is particularly aggravating for anyone genuinely into the Northern Traditions.

What really strikes one, is the lack of any effort to make this in any way true to the historical sources. It seems to be yet another cynical excercise in mix and match, New-Age formula "tradition". Just pick the higlights out of a childrens book on Mythology, and plug it into a basic Wiccan framework. It has been done before, & done better (Buckland's Seax-Wicca), if you really like this kind of fantasy "tradition".
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Product Description
Many of the earliest books, particularly those dating back to the 1900s and before, are now extremely scarce and increasingly expensive. We are republishing these classic works in affordable, high quality, modern editions, using the original text and artwork. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (12)

Snorri is great but must be taken with a grain of salt.
If you have an interest in mythology, Scandinavian culture, pre-Christian Indo-European worldview then this is a must read book. If your an Odinist this is a must read book, HOWEVER, the Eddas are not an Odinist bible. Snorri was a Christian who wrote this stuff 200 years after Iceland converted to Christianity. There are obvious Christian influences in the Eddas and there are compelling arguments that some of the Gods in the Eddas were never worshipped by Heathens and put there for entertainment value by Snorri. That being said Snorri is still argueably the best source for Indo-European religion. You just have to take a lot of it with a grain of salt. The translation itself is entertaining and easy to read. Overall you can't go wrong here.

One of the most readable modern translations
Of all the various world mythologies known to modern scholarship, the Norse is one of the most complete. This is especially true with regard to the most archaic element in all Eurasian myth, the so called "World Tree" or "Tree of Life," called Yggdrasill in the Norse tradition. As in the Hebrew version, an evil serpent lives at the base of this sacred tree, and apples of immortality are found in Asgard (heaven) located at its heights. This story, or one of its many variants, appears in the vast majority of mythical traditions that have come down to us from antiquity.

The Prose Edda by Snorri Sturluson provides details about this Norse version of the Tree of Life that do not appear in the Poetic Edda, the other principal source-text for Scandinavian mythology. These details are of the highest importance for any attempt to understand the symbolic meaning of the story. A full description of the "World Tree" myth, along with an interpretation that has met with scholarly acclaim, can be found in the book: Tree of Life, Mythical Archetype, by Gregory Haynes. All serious students of mythology should consult that publication from Symbolon Press.

This translation of the Prose Edda by Jean Young is, without doubt, one of the most readable of all the modern renditions. The omission of some tedious portions of the Skaldskaparmal is a minor issue, and should not prejudice anyone against acquiring this book. The English flows effortlessly while staying remarkably faithful to the original. This is a brilliant translation of an essential text in world mythology.

Best English translation from primary source
Currently, Brodeur's translation into English is the best from what is considered the primary and second oldest source of Norse Mythology: "The Prose Edda." The first translation was published in Denmark 1665 with Danish and Latin interpretation.
The Icelandic author, Snorri Sturluson, grew up in the home of Sæmundr Sigfússon who is main author of the earlier: "Poetic EDDA" and the source of this Prose EDDA along with oral traditions (songs and folktales) existing only in fragments today. Both Icelandic authors were writing from a Christian perspective, and this translation attempts to preserve the authenticity.
The Danish kingdom and the Scandinavian civilization at the time of Snorri's life was still changing into a centralized social structure from the rise and fall of the Vikings and the earlier pagan faith of hundreds of nature spirits called Vætter. The nature spirits were forces of nature or natural phenomena's given names to describe their very character. Some of these Vætter-names are lost in translation. Also the attributes of the Vætter were subject to altered perception through Christian eyes, and in translation into English, they sometimes disappear completely which move them even further away from their original position as elements of nature given life in the stories.
Nevertheless, I recommend this book as the best English account describing the conflict between the Vætter (the original nature spirits of Scandinavia) and the Æser (migrating tribes from the south with the hierarchical system and the establishment of the Nordic gods including the well known Odin and Thor).

If You're Purchasing this as an Odinist.
There are some things you must know. This is mostly incomplete huge portions are missing. Secondly this is a translation by a Christian historian and as such many of the stories are warped. Snorri did a great deal of wrongs to this. I fond it a useful source of Mythology despite evident errors. There is good in this text, just not what you should buy if you're Studying Asatru. it's a good example of myth and lore. As a basic text I give it 3 stars because of the price.

Ian Myles Slater on: A Readable "Standard Version"
Jean I. Young's translation of selections from "The Prose Edda of Snorri Sturluson: Tales from Norse Mythology," with an Introduction by the distinguished Icelandic scholar Sigurdhur Nordal, was originally issued in 1954 by Bowes & Bowes Publishers Ltd., Cambridge, with an American edition from the University of California Press; I have a 1964 hardcover printing of the latter version.

UC Press has been reprinting it as a trade paperback for decades. It currently has a new cover (an apparently Victorian vision of Thor in his thunder-chariot, wielding his hammer against the Giants), but Amazon's "Look Inside" function has the old green cover showing a giant eagle carrying off Loki, from an older edition. Not a very good representation of the scene as described inside -- besides Loki's clichéd horned helmet, the hapless trickster should be dragging on the ground, not soaring over the mountains -- but it is a dramatic composition. (The digital version looks much nicer than the cover of my faded and crumbling 1971 printing of the paperback!)

The "Prose Edda" is the main source for a great deal of what we know (or think we know) about the myths and legends of pre-Christian Scandinavia; and often has guided, not always for the better, the interpretation of other, less entertaining or more opaque sources. Leaving aside challenges to Snorri's veracity about his sources, Wagner's "Twilight of the Gods," for example, follows what seems to be a mis-reading or mis-hearing of a word on Snorri's part. (I would follow those who accept Snorri as mainly very reliable, but sometimes in error about what was already in the twelfth century a fading pagan past.)

Young's translation of substantial excerpts was by far the most readily available English version of the material for several decades; and, even with two new competitors, has some merits. Except in a few places, for reasons I can understand in a 1950s context, it seems quite accurate. Some may prefer its prose style (others won't), and it has been used by half a century of secondary sources, including quotations in quite scholarly works.

From the whole Icelandic original, it includes the best-known material; the historicizing "Prologue," the main exposition of Norse mythology, as "The Deluding of Gylfi," and the narrative sections of the "Poetic Diction" (Skaldskaparmal), omitting the long lists of vocabulary and metaphors. As is the case with every English translation but one, the "Hattatal," a poem by Snorri in a hundred-plus meters with his own commentary on each stanza, itself both a virtuoso performance and pedagogical tour-de-force, is omitted.

The Young version had no real competition in the market until the Everyman translation by Anthony Faulkes (1987), as "Edda" the first English rendering to contain the whole body of material, both prose and verse, as found in the original (with the verses in Hattatal given in Icelandic as well as translation, without which the commentary is unintelligible). This is a solid work of scholarship, but it is probably more accessible, as well as more valuable, to serious inquirers than it is to beginners.

Young's version had supplanted for most readers -- and apparently in the minds of publishers -- the excellent 1916 American-Scandinavian Society version by Arthur G. Brodeur, which is long out of print (although available on-line at several sites). Brodeur's translation now seems a bit stilted, is not quite complete (minus "Hattatal," as usual) and in some places is just antiquated, but it is still worth consulting. Young's version really wasn't designed to compete with it as a resource for scholarship, but seems to have done so in practice. In terms of approach and ambitions, Brodeur's version is really the immediate predecessor of the Faulkes even more extensive translation. (Faulkes also edited the Icelandic text.)

Although Young or his publishers felt obliged the soften the relatively blunt language about some body parts and functions, and otherwise render it acceptable to nervous parents, schools, and librarians, I have always found it an enjoyable translation to read. Nordal's introduction, reflecting a consensus half-a-century old, which he had himself championed, is a bit more problematic, but what it has to say is worth considering, too.

A close match in contents to Young's selection is a new Penguin Classics volume from Jesse Byock, "The Prose Edda: Norse Mythology" (2005) to which Young's translation was briefly linked by Amazon. It omits the same large blocks of material (with a few samples offered), and is somewhat closer in style to Young's simple modern English; but the scholarship is considerably more up to date, and my first impression is that it is a much more attractive version. However, those worried about offending the prudish may still prefer Young's slightly bowdlerized rendering, which is by no means a bad translation. (The really interested will want all three; and have a web version of Brodeur bookmarked, too.)

(I can't honestly recommend any of the nineteenth-century versions, such Rasmus B. Anderson's 1869 version, also available on-line, or George Webbe Dasent's rather mannered 1842 translation, which doesn't seem to be available in digital form. Some may find these older translations readable, but at any point they may be seriously antiquated in textual or linguistic scholarship.)

I have discussed at some length the author (named as such in medieval sources), the name of the work, and the confusing existence of a "Poetic" or "Elder" Edda, and other complications, in a review of the Byock translation; to which I would direct the curious; and anyone pondering which version to buy.

I would point out, for those who don't bother with it, that the "About the Author" description for the Young translation, based on that used by the UC Press itself, flatly adopts as true Nordal's tentative suggestion that Snorri was the author of "Egil's Saga." This is a modern idea with no period support, and which has not met with overwhelming approval. ("Egil's Saga" is one of the greatest of the Sagas of the Icelanders, and I wish I could accept the attribution.)

The description also confuses both "Egil's Saga" and "Saint Olaf's Saga" with "Heimskringla," Snorri's compilation of biographies of the Kings of Norway (mostly his own work), in which his distinctive adaptations of the Sagas of Olaf Trygvasson and Olaf the Holy are incorporated. This is worth noting, since two in-print modern translations of "Heimskringla" silently include the two Olaf Sagas, while an Everyman's Library edition in two volumes treated the saga of "King Olaf Trygvesson" and "King Olaf the Saint" separately, and out of chronological order. There should be no need to look for both titles, unless you want that revision of the somewhat creaky nineteenth-century Samuel Laing translation. ... Read more

Product Description
Is this Ragnarok, or just California?

The NorseCODE genome project was designed to identify descendants of Odin. What it found was Kathy Castillo, a murdered MBA student brought back from the dead to serve as a valkyrie in the Norse god’s army. Given a sword and a new name, Mist’s job is to recruit soldiers for the war between the gods at the end of the world—and to kill those who refuse to fight.

But as the twilight of the gods descends, Mist makes other plans.

Journeying across a chaotic American landscape already degenerating into violence and madness, Mist hopes to find her way to Helheim, the land of the dead, to rescue her murdered sister from death’s clutches. To do so, she’ll need the help of Hermod, a Norse god bumming around Los Angeles with troubles of his own. Together they find themselves drafted into a higher cause, trying to do what fate long ago deemed could not be done: save the world of man. For even if myths aren’t made to be broken, it can’t hurt to go down fighting…can it? ... Read more

Customer Reviews (33)

Destiny can be hard to escape from
What an unexpectedly amazing book! The title caught my eye, because I had just read some Norse mythology, so I picked it up hoping it would be a silly but fun read (and fearing it would be garbage). To my surprise, however, the story was epic, deep, moving, fascinating--and, yes, fun. The title, cover, and blurb on the back do not do any justice to the quality of the book, or accurately represent what it's about.

Ragnarok is approaching; the chain of events leading up to it were set in motion long ago. But Hermod, son of Odin, is worried that he's accidentally sped things up, and he doesn't really want that kind of responsibility. After all, he hasn't been to Asgard in thousands of years, and he hasn't kept in touch. Mist, meanwhile, has only been a Valkyrie for three months--since she and her sister were killed in a drive-by shooting--but she's already ready to take matters into her own hands and rescue her sister from Helheim and from Hel, the terrifying queen of the dead. Only one person has ever been to Helheim and back, and that's Hermod. Together, they just might be able to accomplish both goals...but destiny can be pretty hard to escape from.

They imagine the chain of events like a line of dominoes, and they want to figure out how to stop them all from being knocked over. So along with Mist's partner Grimnir and Hermod's dog Winston, and a few other people they meet along the way, they journey through Helheim and among the nine worlds that make up Yggdrasil, the world tree, looking for the piece to remove. But everything they do seems to topple yet another domino and bring them closer to Ragnarok.

The NorseCODE genome project is actually a great idea, and it might be fun to read a book or short story just about that, but it's only a very tiny part of this story. And that is not a complaint. The scope of this novel is so much greater than just a clever idea. Here we deal with destiny, with betrayal, with responsibility, with staying true to oneself, with love...Hel, there's a freaking apocalypse! There's also plenty of buttkicking and swords and even zombies, in the form of draugr, the shambling dead. There are also a lot of details and imagery from Norse mythology, which were done excellently. There are also some different and fascinating interpretations of aspects of some myths, which didn't detract from the originals in anyway, but made them more meaningful.

The characters in this story are mythic and legendary, but even though some of them are g-ds, they're so very human. There are many heroes, but there are also many characters that the heroes are fighting against, many of whom I would hesitate to call villains. After all, everyone already knows that Ragnarok will happen and what the result will be, and most know their own parts to play in it. If some are tired of waiting around for it, or have plans to make the best of it, does that really make them bad guys? This is one of the many interesting questions that this book raised in my mind.

I was really not expecting to like this much, but holy crap was it good. Great, actually. You have to get past the title--it's cute and clever, but it trivializes the book and it's almost completely unrelated to the plot--the cover, which is not a good representation of the epic-ness and the many heroes and POVs of the story, and the summary on the back, which is kind of misleading, and you'll find a real gem.



First line of the Prologue: "On the last true day of spring the nine world will ever know, my brother and I fly recon through the land of the g-ds. From this high up, Asgard shimmers."
First line of Chapter One: "Only two hours into Mist's first job, things were already going badly. For one, the duct tape had come loose over the recruit's mouth, and he was screaming so loudly that Mist was sure he'd be heard through the walls of the van, even above the roar of Route 21 traffic."

Fun, easy read
I stumbled across this in a used bookstore and picked it up for kicks.....It's a great romp set in modern times with a spin on Northern Mythology.

Greg van Eekhout does a great job of making this fast paced, easy to read, and hard to put down. I certainly hope there will be more installments!

Well done Greg!

Awesome!
Very rarely do my fiance and I find a book that we BOTH enjoy thoroughly.He reads hard core sci-fi and I read sci-fi-"light" (see "Hunger Games", "Mortal Instruments", etc).Very good read from start to finish and incorporated Norse mythology seemlessly.At least IMHO.

Not Your Average Valkyrie
This was an interesting take on what we normally perceive a Valkyrie to be. While I like the story line and some of the twist and turns along the way, I was a little let down by the way the author, Greg Van Eekhout, played with the job description of a valkyrie. I really expected more from this when I read the other reviews and was all set to get thoroughly entertained. I wasn't. I won't tell anyone not to read it because it may entertain them more than it did me, but I will say to read this with an open mind to change. This book is not about your average valkyrie.

Thought I hate it, found out I liked it
I managed to convince myself going in that I wasn't going to like this book.

Why? The last thing I was looking for was another female do no wrong character or the perfect in every way warrior who was going to save the day without help because that`s who they are. The 'He don't need no help, cigar chomping hero`.

In response to another review, no Mist is not a great warrior but then who is after a mere three months of training and yes she was obsessed with finding her sister but again it had only been three months from the time Mist lost her. Give the girl a break.

I like the Norse background, though it isn't one of my strong points. Upset about it, nope it only gave me an excuse to do further research and after reading several articles, I appreciated the author's blending of Norse Myths into his story even more.

The plot was a might slow in the beginning, it picked up in the middle and then speeded up to a breakneck speed the last half of the book.

The characters were good; descriptions of the battle were graphic to say the least. If the book should be made into a movie, it would be release with an R rating just for the blood and gore. It didn't get into the tiniest details but enough that you can easily picture what was happening.

Sex, implied but no details.

And I learned a the past tense and a past participle of a word that I didn't know had a past tense or a past participle.

The ending does provide the reader with prospects of future books in the series. Yeahhhhhhh
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Product Description
A complete retelling of the Norse Myths, from before Creation, to Ragnarok (the ending of all things), and then Rebirth. This is the most complete version of Norse Mythology in the English language. ... Read more

Product Description
This book brings to life the ancient myths that the Norse people invented about their gods with a lively and entertaining style. Black-and-white and full-color illustrations. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (28)

Awesome collection
This book provides a healthy study of Norse mythology from the beginning to the end in writing that is perfectly suited to the younger crowd. Much of the original mythology is kept in, and the original illustrations are gorgeous. In lieu of Greek and Roman mythology, the Norse stuff is grossly overlooked, and these stories are absolute gems. I'm impressed that the couple bothered to put in controversial concepts such as Ragnarokk and Gimle.

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. ... Read more

Product Description
This unique collection of essays applies significant critical approaches to the mythological poetry of the Poetic Edda, a principal source for Old Norse cosmography and the legends of Odin, Loki, and Thor. The volume also provides very useful introductions that sketch the critical history of the Eddas. By applying new theoretical approaches (feminist, structuralist, post-structuralist) to each of the major poems, this book yields a variety of powerful and convincing readings. Contributors to the collection are both young scholars and senior figures in the discipline, and are of varying nationalities (American, British, Australian, Scandinavian, and Icelandic), thus ensuring a range of interpretations from different corners of the scholarly community. The new translations included here make available for the first time to English speaking students the intriguing methodologies that are currently developing in Scandinavia. An essential collection of scholarship for any Old Norse course, The Poetic Edda will also be of interest to scholars of Indo-European myth, as well as those who study the theory of myth. ... Read more

Product Description
In this important and original work Alice Karlsdottir, a leading expert on Norse religion, makes new and dramatic teachings available and applies these methods in a practical way in order that the ancient Norse goddesses can speak directly to those who seek their ageless wisdom. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Don't underestimate this book!
This book is excellent.The author leads by example - doing alot of in depth research, but also showing the initiative with experimentation by not being afraid to try new things or improvise where needed.

It contains a ton of useful knowledge about the Norse goddesses, Germanic folklore, and the author also shares some of her personal experiences while doing tranceworkings.It is not intimidating at all - the book is easy to understand and written in a very down to earth manner.Another great thing is that the methods which Alice describes can be used across other traditions. The approach that she developed works great for Norse deities, but it could just as easily work for any other type of entity as well.

There are unfortunately many books on the market that are written about goddesses or paganism, etc that are total garbage aimed at selling to teenagers or very naive adults.Not so here - This is a serious book written for anyone sincerely interested in Norse Goddesses or trancework.

It is of superior value and written by an expert.

Great book, just what I wanted...
I am new to Asatru and wanted a good guide for trancework and meditations with the Norse Goddesses and this book is great.I am happy with it, especially the chapters on Frigg and Freyja. I like how she explains how the two have been closely related. I have studied the Greco-Roman pantheon and I see a lot of Venus in Freyja and Juno in Frigg, but I also see Venus traits in Frigg and Juno ones in Freyja.I also enjoy the author's view on how you should read academic works, but also read colorful books on Norse tales, D'Aulaires' Book of Norse Myths comes to mind, in order to inspire you visually as well as intellectually.I feel this more emotional side of Asatru can be lost in the academic side.We should remember that even the Eddas are works of the mind, of creativity.

I haven't done any of the exercises yet, but look forward to it.Reading the first few chapters has made me give it five stars, since it is what I was looking for.

A Fresh Approach
Over the years, we Heathen have become increasingly fortunate for the steady growth of availability of those literary materials which remain essential to our learning, understanding, and furtherance of the greater pan-Germanic Heathen dynamic. Certainly, the number of scholarly dissertations, translations, and other texts have never been so readily available to the general reader -Heathen and non-Heathen alike. So too, we have seen a decent growth in the number of more `esoteric' treatments and explorations- the most popular of which lie in the realm where runic studies are concerned ( ranging from good to bad, and various shades in between).
In our objective studies, we can easily remain content in pouring over a hoard of noteworthy texts, such as Bauschatz's The Well and the Tree, Grimm's Teutonic Mythology, Turville-Petre's Myth and Religion of the North, along with many, many others. This is certainly fine enough for a clear (again, objective) comprehension of the historical fact(s) and findings. But it begs to question if this mere `objective' inspection is enough to foster a deeper, more spiritually rooted appreciation of that same material on the more subjective level that is religiosity and the more profound understanding of the religious expression as is contained within the texts that best preserve such holy manifestation, as embodied within mythology. Clearly, it takes more that brick and mortar to establish a home- and the same sentiment could be applied to religious study, in that it takes more than a read through objective sources to garner the gems of a real and inherently religious knowledge in any truly meaningful capacity.
Heathenry is more than a belief or the philosophical approach as we find in passive religions that hinge on such a concept. Rather, ours is a thoroughly dynamic approach- one expressly rooted in action and deed. So, our relationship(s) with the Gods and Goddesses of our Fathers and Mothers is likewise not of the realm of `passivity' but that of dynamism. Beyond mere `trust' or `faith', we enjoy -or seek to enjoy- an active connection and relationship to the High Ones in a very real sense through what personal bonds and intercourse we might nurture between ourselves and them, as well as that which is experienced through the communal exchanges of religious celebration and sacrifice.
Folk of the era in which we live, it is yet still the rare Heathen who was fortunate enough to have been born and raised in the troth of our Forebears, enjoying an unbroken Heathen heritage and connection to that which draws ultimately to the holiness of the Gods and Goddesses themselves. As such, most of our own lines have been severed from those ties through the course of Christianization at some point within our own family trees. While perhaps not so for the Heathen of old, it becomes necessary for us who seek to regain the legacy of our Ancestors to forge anew that which has been rent asunder in the true `dark age' of a Christian Europe. We must re-establish the deep links our Folk once enjoyed with the Gods and Goddesses they served -here, we have seen great strides and successes, particularly in the realm of Heathen community, but are often lacking for such in the individual sphere of the Folk-consciousness. Through my own experiences and interactions with folk across the spectrum of the greater Heathen community / communities, this become especially true when considering the relationships of individuals with the Goddesses of our peoples. Within this context, there is a need for a closer and more intimate searching, a deeper comprehension that is only had through an inherently dynamic exploration. Alice Karlsdóttir's Magic of the Norse Goddesses provides an effective key to achieving these ends.
Well beyond the fluffy, rootless and pointless so-called `goddess magic' of new age gurus, Magic of the Norse Goddesses presents a well-grounded and thorough scope of dynamic exploration through the application of trance and prayer. Unfamiliar with trance working? Have no fear- Karlsdóttir has carefully laid the groundwork for a practical and successful method in an easy-to-follow manner, without unnecessarily employing a dictionary's worth of complicated jargon and pseudo-scientific dissertation. So too, her work is equally void of the off-kilter flights of complete fancy we would undoubtedly find in similar titles from the larger, mass-market-oriented fluff factories that pass for poor excuses for Heathen / Pagan publishing houses (we'll leave them nameless here... I'm sure the inquisitive reader can figure it out easily enough on his or her own!).
Within Magic of the Norse Goddesses, the reader will find a wealth of well-researched information on Goddesses such as Eir, Gna, Saga, Gefjon, Frigg, Syn, Full, Var, and many others besides, as well as an appropriate, corresponding call to each -all providing for the most well-founded and enriching experience possible in one's working. So too, Karlsdóttir has included a fantastic, very intelligent and thought provoking discussion of myths and of their role and importance to our Folk and Folks' ways. Readers are provided with keen advice on the working(s) and methods (yes, as the presentation itself shows: there's more than just one way of going about things) outlined within the book -including an informative section on potential problems one may encounter along his or her journey. Admirably mentioned, we are wisely cautioned that ...tranceworking is not meant as a replacement for all the historical, literary, and archaeological evidence available to us... and likewise encouraged towards our exploration: ...Tranceworking, like ritual, allows you to build emotional links with your gods and goddesses and gives you access to the other worlds and beings in them. Trances can enable you to learn things about the universe and yourself. Most of all, they allow you to form bonds with your gods and your ancestors, links of love and loyalty that can bridge time in all directions. -true words, well spoken!
Magic of the Norse Goddesses includes a decent bibliography for further study, as well as extensive footnotes. Five appendixes conclude the text, with a good glossary, a breakdown of the Runes of the 24-Rune fuþark, and translations of three tales: Mother Holle, The Three Spinners, and Queen Olga. ... Read more

Product Description
This is a retelling of the stories of Norse mythology as recommended for the Steiner-Waldorf curriculum Class 4 (age 9-10). It includes myths on Creation, Odin and Mimir, Thor and Thialfi, Idun, Sif and Loki. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Not recommended for students of Norse mythology
This is not a children's level book. It is supposed to be for ages 9-12 as part of the Waldorf school's curriculum, but it is adult or young adult level. While the renditions of the myths and the included sagas look ok, there are so many better translations for this and other age groups that this is a very poor choice. My main objection though is the Christian introduction. The author says that when men could no longer see god, they worshiped the angels as gods. But the "true" god wanted to help the people who couldn't see him, so he allowed the worship of the angels. ???? He claims that the Norse gods are angels, which is incorrect, insulting and just wacky. Another book that they sell is even worse, "Norse Mythology and the Modern Human Being", contains many references to Atlantis and Lemuria and refers to Odin as an archangel. I don't know much about the Waldorf schools, but if they promote this nonsense, I would question other books that they use, particularly in the science area. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

A Must for Myth Lovers
Any person who loves myths and legends should get this book. It contains wonderful pictures and stories. I've read them over and over. The pictures are one of my favorite things in the book. My younger sister just sitsthere and looks at them forever. It tells about how the Greeks and Norsebelieved there was a bunch of different worlds and maps them out for you. ... Read more

Product Description
Ancient mythologies are brought to life in this third volume of mythology. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

great!
This is a great book.It is great as a reference, great to read straight through, etc.I actually bought it because I have a 4 year old who really loves Greek Mythology, and this lets me look up a God or Goddess alphabetically if she has a question.I love this book.

must have for mythology buff
This book is a brief yet concise ovierview of the major characters in the Greek, Roman, Celtic and Norse mythological legends.Worthy purchase for someone wanting to get into the study of mythology or just add to your collection. ... Read more

Product Description
An A-Z of the mythical figures of the Nordic culture, detailing characters, locations and sites of interest, significant events, stories and symbols. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Great illustrations!! And great introduction to Norse Myth.
I bought this book only for the beautiful illustrations. Cotterell introduces the Norse deities in a strict to the point manner(which dissapointed me). I wouldn't recommend this book to any student of mythology for research. However, it would be great for beginners. Anyone of the Asatru faith (like myself)looking for great colorful illustrations of their gods and goddesses, I strongly advise you to buy this book. Cotterell also introduces many Slavic dieties such as: Baba Yaga, Veles, Svarazic, and Perun. ... Read more

Product Description
When seeking to understand the function of mythology in the pagan past and in medieval Iceland scholars are confronted with the problem of how sources from the Middle Ages can properly be used. The articles in this volume demonstrate diverse angles from which Old Norse mythological texts can be viewed. Many discuss methodological problems in dealing with the texts and draw on expertise from different fields of study such as history, philology, literary studies, and history of religions. The authors are all established experts in the field, but demonstrate new approaches to the study of ON mythology, and offer insights into possible new directions for research. ... Read more

Product Description
The parentage, powers, and deeds of fourteen. ... Read more

Product 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

Product Description
This is an EXACT reproduction of a book published before 1923. This IS NOT an OCR'd book with strange characters, introduced typographical errors, and jumbled words.This book may have occasional imperfections such as missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. that were either part of the original artifact, or were introduced by the scanning process. We believe this work is culturally important, and despite the imperfections, have elected to bring it back into print as part of our continuing commitment to the preservation of printed works worldwide. We appreciate your understanding of the imperfections in the preservation process, and hope you enjoy this valuable book. ... Read more

Product Description

"Norse Mythology...According to Uncle Einar" is actually a "children's book for grown-ups" with plenty of illustrations.It's a humorous re-telling of 17 of your favorite tales, starting with "How Asgard was Built and how Odin Got a Horse" and winding up with "The War to End All". ... Read more

Customer Reviews (10)

To Jane, from a friend, ...
Many laughs and many blessings, I truly enjoyed your book! Thank you! I will share these with my friends, and children, when I have them. Honored to be counted amongst your friends, and one who I'll gladly share a meade drought from, unless its latched onto the North Sea.

What a Joy to read!
"Norse Mythology : According to Uncle Einar", is probably the best stress relief's I have had in many years, as far as a book goes anyway. After battering my waythrough multiple, (what is the term?), aah yes, hide bound texts, I found it to be a truly enjoyable work that rather perversely conveyed the legends and stories of my ancestors in a meaningful and extremely humorous way. I found Jane Sibley's work to be very refreshing and enlightening. Uncle Einar is the Grandfather that I am striving to be!, (much the chagrin of my children, but to the joy of my wife and grandchildren).
Let's face it, Thor as a Harley riding whoop-[...] kind of guy, with a heart of gold and a very short fuse, there you go. Odin as a one eyed conman, well go figure. Heimdal operating as the local FBI, ATF, CIA agent, I can't think of anyone better for the job. And the list goes on and on and on. Dr. Sibley has done a magnificent job in conveying the underlying theme of Norse Mythology in a relatively accurate, modern and entertaining way.
This is a must read for anyone interested in or studying Norse Mythology. It will make you take a step back and say, "Yah, that's kind of different", which is not a bad thing, you need to take a step back every once in a while. Let'sface it, if we can not laugh at ourselves and our history, we become extremely boring.

Very highly recommended for anyone interested in Norse Mythology, Eddas, Sagas or Religion.
Another plus was I picked up an autographed copy off Amazon for a song, Odin would be proud!

Spence the Elder
"Sic gorgiamus allos subjectatos nunc"
-M. Addams-

If this is a kid's book, then I'm a 60-yr-old kid!
I find it hard to consider this a collection of bedtime stories, because it kept me awake long into the night.I couldn't close the covers after just one or five -- I had to keep going.I'm no Norse scholar; I just like a really well-told yarn. I think I may have accidentally learned something of Norse mythology while I was giggling, siickering, chuckling, and just plain guffawing my way through Uncle Einar's hilarious tales.

Jane Sibley's Evil Uncle
A wickedly witty send-up of the Eddas -- and all the other Viking myths, too.Serious historians won't know whether to have apoplexy or choke themselves in the effort not to giggle.The rest of us can just sit back, read, and laugh our sea-boots off.And the illustrations are apt to both content and tone of the stories.

The best book of bedtime stories - ever!
Norse Mythology...According to Uncle Einar is the best retelling of any mythology I have ever read. Instead of a stuffy, boring book you open the pages of an incredible romp through the Norse Pantheon.

Who ever expected to see the Norse gods portrayed as life in a small Tennesee town, complete with bikers, people from the wrong side of the tracks and disfunctional families!

Think of it as Lil Abner goes a-viking ;-)

Definitely one for the permanent collection! ... Read more

Product Description
Full of giants, trolls, heroes, and beautiful princesses, these 42 folktales include such favorites as "Dapplegrim," "Tatterhood," "Katie Woodencloak," and "Soria Moria Castle," plus many less known, such as "The Werewolf," "Such Women Are," "The Three Dogs," "Temptations," "King Gram," "The Magician's Pupil," "Legend of Tannhauser," "The Outlaw," "Toller's Neighbors," "The Widow's Son," "The Three Sisters Trapped in a Mountain," and "The Goatherd" (the origin of Washington Irving's story of Rip van Winkle). The volume also includes instructive variants of the same story, such as "The Blue Belt" and "The Blue Riband," and "The Seven Ravens" and "The Twelve White Peacocks." Another plus is a substantial critical introduction by the author.
... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Popular Tales from Norse Mythology
Just a warning to those fooled by the title: Don't expect to find any mention of Odin of Thor in this book.Rather than mythology, the stories in the book would be more appropriately described as folktales or perhaps even fairy tales.Most involve a fair maiden in distress who is rescued by a "once-was-a-peasant-found-a-magic-belt-or-met-a-troll-and-became-a-knight"type of hero.

Nevertheless, I greatly enjoyed the book.As the author says, the folktales in _Popular Tales from Norse Mythology_ are overall good reading.They are full of excitement and adventure and a great deal of humour.These factors probably made it possible for the stories to survive as Scandinavian oral tradition until they were finally written down in the last century.

Although the book rarely mentions Norse gods directly, a number of characters can be identified as one of the old gods, particularly Odin, slipping into an overall Christianized story.I found that interesting. ... Read more