Product Description
For two and a half thousand years, from 1500 BC to 1000 AD, a culture as significant as the classical civilisation of the Mediterranean world settled an immense area in northern Europe that stretched from Iceland to the Black Sea.But whereas the stuff of classical mythology has been fully absorbed into the cultural history of the west, the mythology of northern Europe - Scandinavians, Goths, Angles and Saxons - is often enigmatic.
In compiling thisdictionary Rudolf Simek has made the fullest use of the information available -Christian accounts, Eddic lays, the Elder Edda, runic inscriptions, Roman authors (especially Tacitus), votive stones, place names and archaeologicaldiscoveries. He has adhered throughout to a broad definition of mythology which presents the beliefs of the heathen Germanic tribes in their entirety. Here are not only tales of the gods, but also of beings from lower levels of belief: elves, dwarfs and giants; the beginning and end of the world; the creation of man, death and the afterlife; cult, burial customs and magic - an entire history of Germanic religion.
RUDOLF SIMEKis professor in theScandinavian section of the German department at Vienna University. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (8)

Frustratingly problematic yet necessary (at the time of writing)
Rudolf Simek's dictionary presents a general, huge survey of Germanic mythology and touches on many topics that the other two dictionaries (see below) do not approach.

With that said, the dictionary has some major flaws; it has no index (!?), many of the entries seem to be long out of date (and present the problem of using terms like "recently" despite editions of the dictionary reaching back into the early 80s), was originally written in German and then (at times) questionably translated over into English (making some of the etymologies particularly suspect), some entries seem to have been merged into others or do not exist (has "stag cult" been merged into "Heorot"? Good luck finding it otherwise..) and, perhaps most gravely of all, repeatedly presents theory as fact, resulting in some very dismissive and opinionated entries, sometimes with no reason or basis given.

Despite these major flaws, there's really nothing out there to take the place of this dictionary due to its coverage. Take with a few large doses of salt.

This is (as of the time of writing this) one of three English language dictionaries covering Germanic mythology and paganism. All are of independent value to those with a serious interest in the subject matter, and I recommend getting a hold of all three. The other two are:

John Lindow's "Dictionary of Norse mythology"
Norse Mythology: A Guide to Gods, Heroes, Rituals, and Beliefs

Andy Orchard's "Norse Myth and Legend":
Dictionary of Norse Myth and Legend

Great Reference
In general, I have found dictionaries of mythology to be relatively difficult to get real use out of unless one is already familiar with the material.This work is the exception to that rule.

Simek provides a great deal of information in this workand references to the sources.Hence it is an extremely useful work when one wants to get a quick overview of his views on the sources, with enough material to go further and check for yourself.Obviously like all secondary sources, it should not be taken fully at face value.

What sets this work apart from other dictionaries of mythology is the depth the author goes in exploring etymologies of names and providing usable source citations.Hence even if you know the mythic material, the work provides some additional elements not found in simply looking at the sources.However, at the same time, the sources are properly cited so you can go and read more.

In general, I would consider this to be an absolutely indispensable reference for serious work in the fields relating to Germanic mythology and saga.

Useful, but Poor Quality and an old edition to boot
I ordered and received this reference work in November, 2007 only to find that the binding was so poor that the page signatures literally fell out.

Adding insult is the fact that the edition Amazon sent me is an old one, although the publisher, Boydell and Brewer, lists the new edition on their website and has since April, 2007 before I ordered from Amazon. I was never given a choice of an old or new edition. The difference, of course, is the price: the newer is $10 more and is the same as the list price from the publisher. The only savings is free shipping.

A caveat: before ording anything from Amazon, check with the publisher first to ensure you're getting the latest edition. As for the book itself, I'm confident it will be useful and worth the money once I've gotten one that holds together!

Great Overview of Germanic Mythology
This is a great overview and reference for Germanic and Norse mythology.It is well-documented and very up to date.

The finest encyclopedia
A must have. Vast, extensive, good etymologies.
There are certainly better overall works for exploring the Germano-Norse faith, but as far as encyclopedias go, it is top notch. ... Read more

Product Description
"The Prose Edda", or "Younger Edda", is a classic collection of Norse myths of the Icelandic people. Widely considered as compiled by Icelandic scholar and historian Snorri Sturluson around the year 1220, "The Prose Edda" contains a euhemerized Prologue followed by three tales: the 'Gylfaginning', the story of the creation and destruction of the world of the Norse gods; the 'Skáldskaparmál', consists of a dialogue between Ægir, a god associated with the sea, and Bragi, a skaldic god; and the 'Háttatal', a collection of Old Norse poetry including original compositions by Snorri Sturluson. This classic collection of Old Norse myths is one of the most important of the Icelandic eddas and a must read for fans and scholars of Norse mythology. ... Read more

Product Description
Published originally in 1917. (224 pages)

Excerpts:
.....Hermes the wise man, was said to have invented symbols, and Thoth was the moon, the god of wisdom who invented signs and characters.
.....This symbolism is the association of ideas; it is finding the relation or correspondence of one thing to another. Representing one thing always by another which has some striking analogy or likeness or a meta-physical idea expressed by a natural or visible object, by which they sought to give these recondite mysteries a natural or conventional form. It seemed so natural to use one thing for the mirror of another. We speak of a well of life or fountain of life and call the lightening the serpent of the sky.
.....All language is but symbolism. All words ar but symbols and have no meaning themselves.
.....The god who opened the year had keys, the god who reaped the harvest of death, carried a sickle and in his night capacity the god was clothed with a spotted faun skin to resemble the stellar sky.

Contents:
The Typical Resemblance and the Analysis of Symbolism and Disguise ----- The Philosopher's Stone. The New Moon of the Spring Equinox ----- The New Moon as the Cup, The Cup of Eden Hall ----- Word----- Language ----- Letters----- Runes ----- Symbol of the Bull ----- Bull Worship ----- The Moon Dog ----- The Moon Under the Symbol of a Dog ----- Hindu Vedic. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Great introduction to Norse mythology
This is the kind of book that shows promise for the world of children's non-fiction.While this is certainly meant for the older end of that spectrum, even possibly gleaning the interest of adults, this is a quick-read that meets all the basics in a thorough and fascinating manner (because shouldn't mythology be fascinating?)

Porterfield approaches the subject from a scholarly angle rather than fun storytelling (so if you just want the myths, this might be a little too much for you) and explains the historical/cultural setting for the mythology.What was Scandinavia like? Who were the Vikings?How did their religion work?These questions reveal the origin of the mythology before going further into the subject. Perfect set up.

The mains gods/goddesses are hit, of course, along with their most vital stories.I was also pleased to see Porterfield include other figures, such as the creatures and heroes.

This is fantastic little book that balances the stories themselves along with their cultural significance.Great for research or simply enjoying a good read.

Impressive Little Book...
Scandinavian Mythology (Mythology Around the World) is an impressive little book that is packed full of exciting information--historical, cultural, mythical--and excellent, helpful illustrations that complement the text. It's a high interest, easy-to-read choice for young people who enjoy learning about other people and their stories. While the book seems a bit pricey for its actual size and depth, it truly is a well-made book, and I like the "scholarly," but child-friendly, approachable format.

Contents:

Introduction (Explains who the Norse were & where they lived--Norway, Sweden, Finland, Denmark, Iceland; Includes a lovely pictures of a sixteenth century map; the introduction discusses the relationships between the people and their environment and the impact of these relationships on their beliefs)

1 Ancient Scandinavian Culture (Discusses the emergence of the Scandinavian people & Includes a picture of a carving of a Viking Warrior)

2 Origins and Evolution of Scandinavian Mythology (Includes a discussion of poems, runes, and Icelandic Eddas)

3 The Scandinavian Mythological Landscape (Describes the making of the world and The Giant Ymir; offers a fantastic illustration of Yggdrasill, the world tree--one of the best I've seen)

4 The Scandinavian Gods and Goddesses (Describes Odin, Thor, Loki, Freya, & Others; offers a fantastic painting of Thor and his hammer, Mjollnir)

5 Heroes and Villains in Scandinavian Mythology (Tells about Otter, Sigurd, Dwarves; Hrungnir; Kings; picture of an interesting artifact, "Sigurd's Helmet")

6 The Scandinavian Myths (Discusses Asgard's Wall; the Apples of Youth; Balder's Death; Ragnarok)

7 The Scandinavian Legacy (Offers brief summaries about The Hammer of Thor; Christianity; Days of the Week; Walpurgis Night; Norse influence on Tolkein's Lord of the Rings; provides some great pictures in this section)

Glossary (Presents a listing of key words and concepts, most helpful for young readers)

For More Information (Presents cool Websites & Addresses for more info / research about Scandinavian Culture)

For Further Reading (A good reading list to further one's study in this topic)
Bibliography
Index

We believe this book to be a wonderful addition to our home library. We are interested in purchasing more titles from the Mythology Around the World Series. ... Read more

Product Description
Includes examples of traditional folk-tales from the Celtic lands of Britanny, Cornwall, Ireland, the Isle of Man, Scotland and Whales. A comprehensive appendix lists the original sources for these tales, and full pronunciation are given. The text is interspersed with fascinating information boxes featuring Celtic art, religion, storytellers and archaeology. Dozens of photographs and pictures - all in full color! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Beautifully illustrated introduction to Celtic Mythology
This book introduces you to the Celtic world, by presenting a few Celtic myths.By no means is this an extensive covering of the rich Celtic mythology, but it is a nice introduction.

The book is illustratedthroughout with illustrations from Celtic myths, artifacts, archaeologicalsites, Celtic manuscripts, etc.If you want a taste of the Celtic worldand their myths, look for this book. ... Read more

Product Description

J.R.R. Tolkien (1892-1973) is increasingly recognized as the most influential writer of the twentieth century. Sales of his books remain exceptionally high, and Middle-earth fan clubs flourish around the world. The massive success of the film versions made of The Lord of the Rings, and released between 2001 and 2003, have only added to his popularity.

Throughout his life, Tolkien was acutely aware of the power of myth in shaping society; so much so, that one of his earliest ambitions as a writer was to create a mythology for England. The Middle-earth of The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit was to serve as a stand-in for Britain and North-western Europe and is strongly based on a variety of influential literatures and beliefs, particularly the Celtic and Norse. Perilous Realms is the first book to focus consistently on the ways in which Tolkien balances these two ancient cultures and unites them in a single literature. Renowned Tolkien scholar Marjorie Burns also investigates the ways Tolkien reconciled other oppositions, including paganism and Christianity, good and evil, home and wayside, war and peace, embellishment and simplicity, hierarchy and the common man.

Even those who do not know Beowulf or the Arthurian tales or northern European mythology come away from The Lord of the Rings with a feeling for Britain's historical and literary past. Those who recognize the sources behind Tolkien - and the skill with which he combines these sources - gain far more. Perilous Realms gives this advantage to all readers and provides new discoveries, including material from obscure, little-known Celtic texts and a likely new source for the name 'hobbit.' It is truly essential reading for Tolkien fans.

Customer Reviews (6)

Perilous Realms of Wanton Lies
The early English shared much the same mythological universe with Norse culture. It's the celtic weevil we've to guard against. That is how we come to have authors peddling 'celtic' runes and other such nonsenses.

Happily for enthusiasts evidence of cultural empire-building is everywhere in this book. The Ring was not intended to stand for Britain. Why would it? Tolkien did not consider himself 'British'. As he said in his Letters, "I love England - not Great Britain and certainly not the British Commonwealth." Similarly the Hobbits were specifically English.

Tolkien emphasized as much in the `Prologue' to the Fellowship of the Ring. According to author Tom Shippey (quoted in Harrington) Tolkien makes the whole history of the Shire correspond 'point for point' with the history of early England. Likewise Sam Gamgee was: "a reflection of the English soldier, of the privates and batmen I knew in the 1914 war, and recognised as so far superior to myself." (Tolkien Letters, p.88).

Mythologies appeal to the universal and the local simultaneously. But Tolkien was quite specific. 'Celtic' mythology wouldn't do. Tolkien's preferred frame of reference was the 12th century Finnish Karvala he admired so much. This was to be his template for restoring to England something of what she'd been stripped of by the Normans. He would, he said, 'restore to the English an epic tradition and present them with a mythology of their own' (On Fairy Stories). The aim was to fashion a series of legends which would serve as a mythology for his people, a gift to the nation.

'Celtic of any sort,' observed Tolkien elsewhere, is 'a magic bag, in which anything may be put, and out of which almost anything may come.' Tolkien read the Welsh 'Mabinogion', but to read is not necessarily to be influenced by, and since there were no 'celts' in these islands it's hard to see how this (minor at best) influence can be so labelled.

That the trilogy filmed and released into cinemas yielded to the usual commercial concerns - irish pipers at the premier in London's Leicester Square, a soundtrack by bloody Enya - can only be deplored. I'd like to think Peter Jackson at least objected to the desecration, even if a phoney 'celtic' veneer was the quid pro quo for realizing his dream so wonderfully.

But Tolkien's ring was English. Not 'British' - English. Ignore the fear of nationalist attachments, which incline prevailing leftist ideologies masquerading as 'lit-crit' to stress the universal over the particular where English authors are concerned. Much the same thing happens with Shakespeare (the relish with which self-hating English media types fulfil their annual obligation to celebrate the scottishness of Robert Burns furnishes an interesting counterpoint here).

'The Hobbits are just rustic English people,' said the author. 'The Shire is based on rural England and not on any other country in the world. After all, the book is English, and by an Englishman.'

And nothing 'celtic' about any of it.

Meh...
"Needless to say they are not Celtic! Neither are the tales. I do know Celtic things (many in their original languages Irish and Welsh), and feel for them a certain distaste: largely for their fundamental unreason. They have bright colour, but are like a broken stained glass window reassembled without design. They are in fact 'mad' as your reader says--but I don't believe I am." (Tolkien cited in Humphrey, 1981, The letters of J.R.R. Tolkien).

This is the sort of book I've been waiting for, but to be honest, I didn't buy a lot of what the author was trying to say. This is mostly because I have read Tolkien's letters, and the contents of those letters do not agree with everything the author has said.

I admit though, I am a bit disappointed that the Teutonic aspects of the Lord of the Rings have been played down recently. These aspects are what drove Tolkien, he was an Anglo-Saxon scholar who loved Teutonic mythology and was never shy about saying so. I just find it hard to believe that so many modern day fans of his works are afraid to admit this, perhaps because of the nazis, but I fail to see how their actions degrade Teutonic mythology as a whole.

I've never read anyone who said that Walter Scott was inspired by French ballads, and I'm sort of amused that this sentiment is now applied to Tolkien. He was writing mythology, yes, but he said that mythology was taken largely from Teutonic and Finnish origins. It's a little sad that this great work and all of the learning which comes with it, is ignored because it might be seen as politically incorrect.

HIGHLY recommended book - PERILOUS REALMS
Here's a book any serious reader of Tolkien ought to read.What Burns does better than other critics is to show how Tolkien has a double way of looking at things.Her main topic is how Tolkien combines Norse and Celtic mythology in his fiction to make a mythology for England, but Burns also show how Tolkien maintains a balance between several other beliefs or viewpoints: war and peace, high ranking people and humble Hobbits, or the attractions of home and the appeal of the road.

Two chapters I particularly liked are "Iceland and Middle-earth" and "Eating, Devouring and Sacrifice."The first is an original study of how William Morris influenced Tolkien, especially in The Hobbit.The second shows how Tolkien uses the metaphor of eating throughout his fiction.

I do not understand how the other reader/critic of this book could possibly construe any PERILOUS REALMS as a rehash. They must not have read the same book. I found this book to be full of new information, new connections.

I HIGHLY recommend this book.

Rehash
If you know don't know anything about Norse or Celtic literature, then do notbother to read this book, because you have heard or can deduce nearly everything that this book contains.

I picked it up when trying to write a paper about Tolkien and Norse literature, and it basically says everything other earlier critics (Jane Chance, Tom Shippey, Heather O'Donahue, to name but a few) have written before. I must say that Tolkien's ties to Celtic literature in particular are tenuous, if just because there aren't many surviving Celtic poems/stories. The Norse connections are obvious ones like Gandalf = Odinn, which any student of medieval literature knows (or should know).

Again, if you do not know the difference between Grendel and Garm, then you will like this book. If you do, don't bother reading it.

WITHOUT APOLOGY
One of the finest characteristics of Tolkien's work is that it is easily as enjoyable to think about as it is to read. And despite the completeness, volume and excruciating detail of his literature, his work in particular exhibits a singular ability to create the desire for even more among his readers. Given the depth and range of Tolkien's legendarium connections and inferences fly in all directions and the concentration required in tracking them down and relating them to the work is obviously why they call it Tolkien Scholarship. Consequently, there is almost no shortage of books, critical and scholarly works available to those interested in making the kind of connections capable of greatly expanding their appreciation and comprehension of Middle-earth, its sources, intricacies, meaning, philosophy, structure and context. And "Perilous Realms" is one of the finest.

Marjorie Burns has accomplished something a bit rare for readers of Tolkien. This is a book that remains inviting and accessible without sacrificing any intellectual weight. Her focus on linking narrative sources of "The Silmarillion", "The Hobbit" and "The Lord of the Rings" to Celtic and Norse mythologies does not narrow the field -- this approach proves more than adequate to the task of bringing the vastness of her subject within reach.

But there remains a nagging sense of Apologia, especially in her chapter on the technique Tolkien uses to add dimension to his principal characters. Here, as with the work of Shippey and others, the reader can't help but get the sense that there's some element geared at the appeasement of mainstream literature and literary critics who so often dismiss Tolkien's work, in many cases unread. Burns' critical insights are strong enough without the seemingly obligatory nod to those literati who choose, simply on the basis of their personal preference, to remain blind and deaf to Tolkien. Such critics' denial of the worth of this work isn't based on literary criteria anyway. So it's safe to assume they'll remain unswayed, whether they become aware of the intricacy and depth of these works or not. With or without them, Tolkien's work is hardly short of either advocates or legitimacy.

That said, Burns' language remains concise, her presentation remains linear even through the often less-than-linear ambles that make much of Tolkien so compelling. Her writing favors clarity over the overtly technical. And, perhaps most importantly, her insights are actually highly original, their exposition extremely convincing. This book complements and informs the content of many other works on Tolkien rather than merely burnishing already familiar ideas. Her ability to illuminate both the far-reaching and fundamental concepts within the literature makes this one of the most enjoyable and informative critical books you'll read on Tolkien's work. ... Read more

Product Description
This is an A-Z guide to the mythology of the Vikings, with over 400 articles covering myths, gods and goddesses, giants, dwarves, elves and other supernatural creatures. It aims to provide an insight into a folklore tradition which has inspired talents as diverse as Wagner and Tolkien. A general historical introduction provides an overall perspective, and background material on the archaeology and social framework of the Norse world is provided. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (7)

Small entries, but unique focus on Anglo-Saxon sources and heroic poems
Focused primarily on Norse sources, Andy Orchard's handbook provides additional information that the other two dictionaries (see links below) lack in areas of Anglo-Saxon sources and the heroic poems and sagas. For example, Barnstokkr only receives an entry in Orchard's dictionary. Orchard also seems to provide the best etymologies (and more of them) than the other two dictionaries, and even includes some very handy name lists towards the end of the work.

On the down side, the entries can be a little short and a little too brief in comparison to the other two dictionaries, and as a result this work is the thinnest of the three.

As I've pointed out above, this is (as of the time of writing this) one of three English language dictionaries covering Germanic mythology and paganism. All are of independent value to those with a serious interest in the subject matter, and I recommend getting a hold of all three. The other two are:

John Lindow's "Dictionary of Norse mythology"
Norse Mythology: A Guide to Gods, Heroes, Rituals, and Beliefs

Rudolf Simek's "Dictionary of Northern Mythology":
Dictionary of Northern Mythology

Superb resource
I took a Norse mythology course last quarter, and this was the only dictionary I could find on the subject at the time in all of the bookstores I visited. But if I could only find one dictionary of Norse mythology, this would be the one to find. The definitions are straightforward yet thorough. It's not an encyclopedia, so don't expect it to provide all the known details about a particular character or term, but it does give you a clear and complete definition that includes the important details and information.

It also has a sturdy cover and thick pages that hold up well to being frequently used and carried around in a bookbag.

a fine work in the field
Note: search under author's name for new paperback edition under a slightly different title.

The Dictionary of Norse Myth and Legend by Andy Orchard, published in 1997 by Cassell, ISBN 0 304 34520 2, is also excellent. Despite the title, it also has entries on terms from non-Norse areas of the Germanic world. It is a somewhat larger book in terms of page size, and very nearly gives the impression of being a coffee table book. It is very attractive and is illustrated, howbeit not lavishly, with black and white photos. However, it is only 223 pages in length. It also has bibliographical information after the individual entries, but these are coded and you have to look them up in the back.

Ian Myles Slater on: Other Formats, Alternate Title
This first-rate compiliation is now (2003) available, under the slightly different title of "Cassell's Dictionary of Norse Myth and Legend," as a mass-market paperback (which I have reviewed at length), in addition to the trade paperback and hardcover editions listed under the titles of "Dictionary..." and "Cassell Dictionary...". If all of these are available through Amazon, purchasers will probably want to compare prices, and consider the durability of the various formats. Another factor some will want to consider is that the original hardcover edition (and I believe the trade edition) contained about forty illustrations, which were omitted from the mass-market edition.

Since the mass-market paperback is the edition in print, however, I strongly suggest checking that page before ordering. And if you are already familiar with the volume, and definitely want the larger format, you probably don't need my advice.

Ian Myles Slater on: Excellent Book, Also Under New Title
This first-rate compiliation is now (2003) available, under the slightly different title of "Cassell's Dictionary of Norse Myth and Legend," as a mass-market paperback (which I have reviewed at length), in addition to the trade paperback and hardcover editions listed under the titles of "Dictionary..." and "Cassell Dictionary...". If all of these are available through Amazon, purchasers will probably want to compare prices, and consider the durability of the various formats. Another factor some will want to consider is that the original hardcover edition (and I believe the trade edition) contained about forty illustrations, which were omitted from the mass-market edition.

Since the mass-market paperback is the edition in print, however, I strongly suggest checking that page before ordering. And if you are already familiar with the volume, and definitely want the larger format, you probably don't need my advice. ... Read more

Product Description
A collection of Greek and Roman myths from various classical sources arranged in section on the gods and early heroes, love and adventure stories, heroes before and during the Trojan War, and lesser myths. Includes a brief section on Norse mythology. ... Read more

Product Description

Customer Reviews (1)

Ian Myles Slater on: A Compact Edition
I have been reading serious books about Norse mythology since the mid-1960s (I don't remember when I first encountered versions for children), and have studied the primary sources in translation, and, to a very limited (and amateurish) extent, in the original languages. This is exactly the sort of reference book / handbook I used to dream about, and which seemed to be available only as watered-down introductions for schoolchildren, or, if reasonably scholarly, in German. A recent example of the latter, by Rudolf Simek, has been translated by Angela Hall, as "Dictionary of Northern Mythology" (1993). The end of the twentieth century, has, in fact, seen several works of this sort, solidly based in scholarship, yet simple enough for those unfamiliar with the subject to enjoy. To my great pleasure, they are even being written in English.

This example is a re-set, mass-market edition of the 1997 "Cassell Dictionary...," which was published in both hardcover and trade paperback editions. The textual contents appear to be identical (I do not have a copy at hand to compare, so I am relying on memory), although, given the changes, it will be useful in the future to give references to Orchard by head-words, rather than page numbers. The original illustrations have been omitted; against this loss, the mass-market edition is in print.

The contents are extremely impressive. All of the major, and almost all of the minor, figures of Norse myth and legend from Scandinavian sources, together with other Germanic materials, and other relevant texts and archeological and other sources are catalogued and concisely described or defined. (The coverage of heroic legend is limited to the major figures, particularly those attested outside Scandinavia. Unfortunately, some of the more reliable and interesting correspondences to Migration-Age history, such as the names of the Niflung / Burgundian royal family, are slighted.)

There are cross-references to related articles - none, so far as I have noticed, leading in circles (as I have seen in too many reference works). Major critical issues are covered briefly and clearly, and with impressive objectivity (compare the discreet entry on "Beowulf," with due regard for the scholarly consensus, to the author's own views in his own 1995 book on the subject, "Pride and Prodigies...").

The difficult problem of transcribing Norse and Anglo-Saxon names, with their unfamiliar characters, has been solved by a few simple rules, clearly explained; exceptions are made for some very familiar forms, like Odin and Thor, where consistency would have called for accent marks. This will annoy purists, and perhaps those who have studied the relevant languages a little, but is far less intimidating to the uninitiated.

The articles are supplied with bibliographic references, in cryptic-looking letter-number combinations which direct the reader to numbered items in four separate bibliographies (references, primary sources, sources in translation, and studies). With something like 800 titles to deal with, this saves space, and avoids the problem of keeping track of whether or not an item appears in one or more places, and in full or short form. Although it looks confusing, I have found that the alphanumeric system makes it relatively easy to check the references. There is also an index of medieval passages and authors cited in the text.

An attractive feature is a set of appendices cataloguing such things as the names and titles of Odin, the names of Dwarfs, of Giants, and of "Troll-wives, Giantesses and Valkyries" (the last set showing so much overlap and confusion that grouping them together was probably the most practical solution). As in the articles, names are supplied with translations, if the meaning is reasonably clear.

Among recent works actually written in English, the most nearly comparable is John Lindow's "Norse Mythology: A Guide to the Gods, Heroes, Rituals, and Beliefs." It differs in offering fewer, but longer, articles, with much more extended discussions of critical issues, literary problems, and rival interpretations. It omits some of the items of in the "Dictionary," but also covers some topics which Orchard only mentions. Lindow's bibliography seems much less comprehensive, but he includes essays on both the primary sources and the secondary literature (including how to evaluate on-line offerings). I have both, and would not give up either, but Orchard clearly offers the better bargain to a novice looking for a single reference source, covering more material, with a simpler-looking approach to each item. ... Read more

Product Description
Freya, the Norse goddess of beauty and love, was also a skilled warrior. She became the Queen of the Valkyries, the warrior goddess who served Odin.The myth of what happened to the love of Freya's life is retold in this brilliantly illustrated Norse myth. ... Read more

Product Description
Entertaining and sometimes horrifying legends of gods and goddesses, heroes and heroines, monsters and giants survive from pagan Scandinavia, even though the Norse were unable to write them down. With authority and wit, Professor Page retells the Norse legends and shows how complex and sometimes contradictory their traditions are. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

If you're looking for a textbook....
If you want a textbook largely focused on the sources of Norse mythology and obsessed with the origin of Norse mythological metaphors, then you've found it.

When I received this book I was immediately disappointed. It's only 80 pages long and many of those pages are taken up by drawings or pictures of Norse sculptures.If it weren't so short, it could easily pass for a high school textbook.

The actual stories seem almost an afterthought to Page. He uses them more to illustrate the origin of various Norse metaphors. You're almost guaranteed to find something like "and that is why we call rowan 'Thor's deliverance'" at the end of any story.The stories themselves are told in a very dry and unintersting way and aren't put into any logical order.Rather than putting each topic in a separate chapter, Page includes two or three topics in each chapter.With all the unusual names, it's very difficult to remember who is who and almost impossible to go back find where they were first introduced.

If you're a scholar about to study the actual Norse verses, then I highly recommend this book. Page obviously knows a lot about the sources of Norse Mythology and you should find his focus on explaining metaphors very helpful.

If, however, you've got a casual interest in learning about the stories of Norse mythology, then I suggest you look elsewhere.

First class (and highly affordable) Norse Mythology book!
Professor R.I. Page is one of the foremost runologists and Norse scholars today.Anything he writes is a "must buy!" for me.His Norse Mythology book, for its size, is spot-on accurate (from extant sources, etc.) and is not New Age or of indeterminate scholarship.Prof. Page does it right.I have recommended this book many times to folks, and would rate it as one of the best books on Norse myth to come out in recent years.It is certainly reasonably priced, which makes it all the more appealing to those with small budgets. If you're seriously interested in Norse mythology, go buy this book!It is certainly worth it! ... Read more

Product Description
One of a series about world myths and legends, this book describes the many myths associated with the Vikings. Through an examination of archaeological artifacts, history and literature, it reveals the ancient beliefs in the old Norse gods and the legends of the Viking world. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Excellent work in a popular format
Viking & Norse Mythology
By H.R. Ellis Davidson

"Viking & Norse Mythology", is what I would call a good look at the, "Viking Era", the short form. The book is set up for the "popular" audience, not unlike many of the Time Life publications but better done. While Davidson'sresearch and writingsare very accurate and her commentary is spot on, the entire feel of the work is not the scholarly look at the "Norse"explosion onto the world stage that we, her avid readers,have come to expect. Littered with some very good photographs and illustrations, this work is a must have for the "Viking" aficionado, however, it falls just a bit short of her previous works. This is the curse of publishing for both the serious researcher and the popular/money making market. Being a consummate capitalist myself, I completely understand this. If the work was thicker and had more color photos I would recommend it a coffee table book, but alas, the brevity of the work makes this impossible.

Additionally, be advised, this work was published in 1986, under the title, "Scandinavian Mythology". Don't do what I did and buy them both on the internet and discover that you have spent twice the money for the same book, although I will grant that some of the photos were different or at least arranged differently. I haven't noticed any text differences between the two.

All & all I do recommend this book but if you are familiar with Davidson's otherworks, it is a very slight letdown, although all the photos and illustrations helped to offset this somewhat. As I said, a wonderful introduction into the "Viking" world with most of the insights that we've come to expect from H.R.E.D., it is however, the short form.


In Frith,
Spence The Elder
"Sic gorgiamus allos subjectatos nunc"
M. Addams

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Product Description
Drawing on the latest scholarship, John Lindow, an internationally known authority on the subject, covers the tales, their literary and oral sources, and their emergence into popular tradition, religion, and art. Included in this book:

A discussion of literary and oral sources, and speculation on what the myths may have meant to the women and men who related them

A survey of such topics as the mythic past, present, and future; cyclical time; time and space; myth, narrative, and language

An A-to-Z of the key mythological figures, concepts, and events

A guide to the vast wealth of print, web site, video, and CD-ROM resources. A full subject index concludes a volume that is certain to become the standard introduction to a well-loved and haunting mythological tradition. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Definitive
The scholarship here is solid as Thor's magic hammer; no doubt about that. I probably won't have to buy another book on Norse mythology. Well, maybe a picture book! The writing style is not "scholarly"; it's quite good prose, really. So buy this book and relive the days when gods and frost giants roamed Midgard, Nifelheim, Asgard, Jotunheim... ... Read more

Product Description
A keystone of our culture is the body of myth and legend of the ancient Western world--stories of gods and heroes that have inspired human creativity since time immemorial. Hamilton's renowned classic brings this legacy to life anew, with impeccably accurate and accessible retellings of eternally spellbinding tales.Amazon.com Review
Edith Hamilton loved the ancient Western myths with apassion--and this classic compendium is her tribute. "The tales ofGreek mythology do not throw any clear light upon what early mankindwas like," Hamilton explains in her introduction. "They do throw anabundance of light upon what early Greeks were like--a matter, itwould seem, of more importance to us, who are their descendentsintellectually, artistically, and politically. Nothing we learn aboutthem is alien to ourselves." Fans of Greek mythology will find all thegreat stories and characters here--Perseus, Hercules, andOdysseus--each discussed in generous detail by the voice of animpressively knowledgeable and engaging (with occasional lapses)narrator. This is also an excellent primer for middle- and high-schoolstudents who are studying ancient Greek and Roman culture andliterature. --Gail Hudson ... Read more

Customer Reviews (98)

Classic Look
The author takes a nicely readable and informative look at the classical mythology of Ancient Greece.Readers come away with a strong understanding of the subject, everything from Hercules to Ovid, Cupid to the Gods, plus their loves, quarrels, etc.Readers also gain a strong knowledge of the heroic legends and fervent religious beliefs of the world's first semi-democracy (only male citizens voted).My favorite sections included the loves of the Gods, and the writings of Homer, though some say she was a bit brief with the latter.We studied this book as high school freshman, and while not converted into a fan (I prefer Greek philosophers, particularly Socrates), I did come away much better informed.Fervent aficionados of Greek mythology should enjoy this volume as well as books offering deeper analysis; other readers should be satisfied to start and stop here.

Very Pleased
This book arrived in great condition, packaged in a ziplock bag and was very clean.It arrived exactly as I would expect for paying for the expedited delivery.Would use this seller again.

A must read if you enjoy classic tales
This book gives a great overview to all the major stories that are prevalent in Greek and Latin mythology. She does a good job of explaining where she took her source information from and why at the beginning of each chapter, which is good because there are many stories that were told by more than one major Greek poet, and then modified when the Romans took over. Included in the book are descriptions of the major and minor gods and goddesses, and information about them is compiled from the major stories in a condensed format, so that you can get the full picture of how each was depicted in the section. It also describes the great heroes (Perseus, Hercules) and their many adventures, and takes a whole chapter to condense the Iliad in a format that is much easier to read. It does the same for the Odyssey. It then describes the tragedies, most chiefly those of Oedipus, and at the end there is a little section on Norse myths, which have been made popular by Wagner's operas. At the end of the book are family trees, which really help to display how the gods and heroes and major characters are interrelated. All in all a very informative book that is easy to read. Highly recommended for every mythology buff.

Other books to consider:
The Mists of Avalon by Marion Zimmer Bradley, American Indian Myths and Legends by Richard Erdoes, and Chinese Ghost and Love Stories by Pu Singling

Wrong edition was sent
I specifically paid a little more in order to get the version of the book that was a newer cover and larger print.I was sent an old copy of the book that had a completely different cover, and was much smaller print.The seller did not send me the copy I saw in the picture that I ordered.

Great Condition, Fast Shipping!
Book arrived on estimated day and was in excellent condition.
Would buy from this merchant again in a heartbeat. ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (1)

Cute, but creatively reinterpreted
These stories are a cute rendition of many of the Norse myths.The authors have taken some liberties with the stories as they were originally portrayed, for example one of the first things to happen is Thor telling his father, Odin, that he's forged a hammer for himself.The original myths has Loki visiting the dwarves in penance for cutting the hair of Thor's wife, Sif, and asking the dwarves to forge the most powerful magic item, which produces Thor's hammer Mjolnir and other important items that occur in other later myths.Why the authors felt it necessary to change it and leave out one of the defining stories of Sif and the character of Loki I don't know, and this isn't the only unnecessary deviation from the old stories.

What I did enjoy is that the authors approached some of the themes differently than most retellings of the myths.The elves and dwarves in particular are portrayed more like the fairy folk the British isles, small and spritely.The events prior to the formation of Midgard were more involved than is usual, with the gods exploring the different lands of giants and elves as newcomers, unfamiliar with the world.These different themes didn't alter the fundamental story but still gave a different perspective on the tales than other works, so it was something I enjoyed.

This books is also illustrated throughout, and the art is a great addition to the story.I'd love to get some of them as larger prints, if they were available.

In the end it was a fun read, the style is cute and their approach is endearing, but if you are interested in reading tales from the Norse myths, I would recommend other books over this one.The Norse Myths (Pantheon Fairy Tale and Folklore Library) is well-researched and easy to read and covers the stories more accurately and more completely, while The Children of Odin: The Book of Northern Myths is still mostly accurate to the original sources but has a similar endearing style like what I enjoyed in this book.Either of these are as good or better than "Tales of the Norse Warrior Gods", and are more representative of the true tales of the Norse gods.

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Customer Reviews (7)

Must have for any serious student of northern European culture, folklore or Odinsim!
Yes, a few years ago I plunked down the over a $100 cost for this recently put back in print four volume set. I don't regret spending the money. Criticisms I have you have to wade through a lot of linguistics/philology stuff and for whatever reason, even though this is supposed to be the English translation, there is still a fair amount of material in German and Latin. But there is all kinds of great stuff in this. Not for the beginner or someone with just a casual interest in the subject matter but this is a must have for any serious student of northern European culture, folklore or Odinsim. What is it about so many books written in the 1800's being superior to 99% of whats been published in the past 50 years?

Just excellent
This is thoroughful and extremely good edition of the phenomenal book. Naturally, several scolars later made some corrections on some subjects. Nevertheless Jacob Grimm's work inspired H.Heine, R.Wagner and many other men of genius. One cannot overestimate the 'Teutonic Mythology' even now. In a way it's a monument of human imagination, of both oral and written creations made during the centuries by the individuals as well as by the folks. And it still be and will be an inexhaustible source for our both knowledge and imagination as well.
Only one thing I would dare to suggest. Many fragments J.Grimm quotes in Latin, Greek etc... For the future editions I would translate all of them even it could take much space - up to an additional small volume. So, this unique book would be understood by much wider circle of the readers.

The Bible?
This is required reading for the true student! Can be a difficult read at times, but the knowledge and world view contained therein make it a treasure!

Very Laborious - Not for Casual Readers
This review pertains to the 2004 hardcover "Phoenix Edition" reprint.I must also confess that at this moment I have only made my way through half of volume 1.I feel it necessary to give potential buyers a "heads up" about this set:it is, as described, a massive work of mid-1800s scholarship.It was assumed at that time that anyone who would be reading such a work would be able to read Latin as well as Old High German, Old Norse, Anglo-Saxon, and a smattering of other medeival languages.
The author spends most of his time NOT telling mythical stories as the curious dabbler might expect, but instead chasing down obscure linguistic clues imbedded in medeival texts, place names, and quaint figures of speech in an attempt to reconstruct some sort of Germanic mythology (for which documentation is lacking) from its hypothetical parallels in Norse mythology (for which documentation is abundant) and the mythologies / religious beliefs / superstitions of surrounding races such as the Saxons, the Gauls, even the Greeks and Romans.This process is dull, dry, tedious, and to someone not fluent in Classical and Germanic languages, incomprehensible.If you love philology you will love these books, but if you want to be thrilled by tales of the Old Gods, stay away!!Herr Grimm does not tell many stories; all the cool stuff is quoted from his sources, and whatever of that isn't in Old High German is in Latin._Untranslated_ Latin.BEWARE!!
Don't get me wrong; I do not regret owning this set, and I have every intention of finishing it - I'm just saying it's going to be unexpectedly difficult for me, and I can only recommend it for those with a Serious Interest in the subject.The information Grimm presents here is dense and staggeringly thorough - and it is, in a way, a very enjoyable read:the book has its own soporific charm which provides an almost physical pleasure from reading it.An entire mysterious world of unknown language and dimly-comprehended episodes from Latin chroniclers yawns before me.Should be a fun trip.
Nevertheless, my review must bear a mere 3 stars as a warning to those who only want to be thrilled by the mighty adventures of Thor:look elsewhere.This is not the right book for you to start.

Ian Myles Slater on: Invaluable, but Handle with Care!
So Dover Publications has now (2004) reprinted "Teutonic Mythology" under the "Phoenix" imprint, apparently in two formats (bindings). I look at my copies of the previous (1966) Dover paperback edition of James Stallybrass's 1883-1888 translation of Jakob Grimm's "Deutsche Mythologie," with the four volumes bound in different colors, and I feel terribly old.

They were purchased at less than a tenth of the publisher's current asking price (well, one volume was a gift, but I'm looking at the cover prices), and I feel grateful that I bought (three of) them in the early 1970s. At the time, that still seemed a lot of money for paperbacks, even trade paperbacks, but I have had decades of use out of the set, which is still holding up well. (Dover then still used signature-stitched bindings and high-quality paper; their claim that their paperback books would last as well as hardcover editions was well founded. If Dover does reissue them in paperback, they will probably be less durable and, inevitably, more expensive.)

Read with care, and with frequent reference to modern text editions, translations, and studies, the "Teutonic Mythology" is still a mine of information on the religious ideas, customs, and common metaphors and figures of speech (supposed to be fossilized beliefs) of the ancient and early medieval Germanic peoples (the continental Germans, the Dutch and Flemings, the Scandinavians, and the Anglo-Saxons), and much else in medieval literature. Everyone knows the Grimms from the fairy-tale collection, but individually and together they wrote and edited much more.(For some reason, Jakob Grimm [1785-1863] almost always appears in English as Jacob, but his brother Wilhelm [1786-1859] never seems to become William.)

The "Mythology" in particular is constantly cited in the older secondary literature, so it is nice to be able to find such references. On many occasion it has clarified for me an obscure argument carried out by long-dead scholars with page-references to Grimm's then-definitive treatment of the issue (although sometimes I have had to work out the relation of the pagination of an unseen German edition to the English text -- not fun).

More important, for my purposes, it was a handy reference for what would have been readily available knowledge in the latter part of the nineteenth century, and the early twentieth. They are very useful indeed, if you are interested in Richard Wagner's versions of Germanic myth and legend, or those of William Morris. Or, particularly since this is a translation, if you want to see what was available to the young E.R. Eddison, C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien, among many others.

(For that specific purpose, the only thing really comparable in scope they might have read was Benjamin Thorpe's three-volume "Northern Mythology" of 1851, which was briefly available in a one-volume omnibus paperback from Wordsworth a few years ago. In terms of information available to its learned author, Thorpe's book, which I have reviewed, was largely a less systematic English Grimm, with more extensive summaries of Norse sources, and some excellent additional evidence from folktales. It is not quite so dated, but mainly because it was not so ambitious; whole topics aren't even mentioned, so Thorpe couldn't have made any mistakes about them. For the intellectual and cultural background, Andew Wawn's recent (2000) "The Vikings and the Victorians: Inventing the Old North in 19th-Century Britain" may become the standard reference.)

Thomas Shippey in particular has pointed out several places where Tolkien invented Middle-earth "solutions" to passages where Grimm expressed confusion over contradictory data. Tolkien would eventually have gone directly to the German text; Lewis mentions reading Grimm in German, but seems to mean the Fairy Tales ("Kinder- und Hausmaerchen").

In addition, Grimm's appendices (in the fourth volume of the translation) assemble an extraordinary number of important non-literary medieval (and later) texts in one place; genealogies, spells, penitential guides, lists of superstitions, dialect terms. Although as editions they are antiquated, having them in one place proved convenient on a great many occasions. (For example, Valerie Flint's 1991 "The Rise of Magic in Early Medieval Europe" cites later editions of several of them, none readily accessible to me.)

Given the present price, although I'm delighted that Dover has brought the whole set back into print simultaneously for the first time in years, I'm not urging everyone interested in Germanic myth and folklore to rush to buy it. (Even with the current -- November 2004 -- Amazon discount.)

And not just because of the price. This is a monument of scholarship from the first half of the nineteenth century (1835; second edition 1844); almost everything in it has to be viewed with at least a little suspicion. Grimm already recognized that there were problems. A good part of volume four consists of additions and corrections to the text, which he had hoped to incorporate in a third, and fully revised, edition. (His publisher instead reprinted the three-volume second edition text in 1854, and called it the "Third Edition." A posthumous editor arranged the notes in order, to be printed as a supplement in a "Fourth Ediiton," and Stallybrass followed this practice, instead of tampering with the original.)

Throw in the expense, and there is reason for suggesting other places to start. I mention this age factor because the amount of antique misinformation I have seen gleaned from it, and presented as current, sometimes explicitly dated 1966, is a little frightening. And I expect to see more examples, with the 2004 date of the Dover Phoenix edition in the citation.

Stallybrass called his translation "Teutonic Mythology" to reflect that Grimm was using "Deutsche" in the widest possible sense, instead of a nationalistic one; the more recent term would be "Germanic." But for almost a century, beginning not long after after Jacob Grimm completed his work treating *all* the Germanic-speaking peoples as a continuum, the best surveys and handbooks, and almost all serious scholarship, carefully distinguished Northern (Scandinavian) from Southern (continental German) evidence. Surveys in particular were generally restricted to one or the other; usually "Norse Mythology," with a few citations from the continent. While some of Grimm's comparisons -- or the conclusions drawn from them -- were of dubious legitimacy, denying the validity of such comparisons *in advance* pre-determined the nature of the argument. Apparent exceptions generally quickly reveal themselves as second-hand Grimm. Those scholars who did survey the whole field were often concerned to prove that the medieval Scandinavian texts were late and unreliable compared to nineteenth-century German folklore. (If it looks "primitive" [crude], it must *be* primitive [early].)

The closest thing to a scholarly modern successor, the two-volume "Altgermanische Religionsgeschichte" by Jan de Vries, was severely criticized when it appeared in the mid-twentieth-century for returning to Grimm's comprehensive approach. (The author was under the influence of Dumezil's then-recent work on the original unity of Indo-European mythic and religious concepts, and the controversy has moderated with time and familiarity.) Unhappily, de Vries's "History of Old-Germanic Religion" is still not available in English. But there are substitutes in English which, taken together, are almost as comprehensive, as well as much more reliable than Grimm alone.

For the serious-minded beginner, John Lindow's "Norse Mythology: A Guide to the Gods, Heroes, Rituals, and Beliefs" or Andy Orchard's "Cassell's Dictionary of Norse Myth & Legend" (and variant titles) are far better and more reliable guides to the Scandinavian evidence, with Rudolf Simek's "Dictionary of Northern Mythology" filling in some of the continental material, along with copious linguistic information reflecting an additional century and a half of research. I would strongly urge anyone new to the field to have at least one or two of these at hand whenever Grimm is being consulted; definitely Simek on matters linguistic, if possible (the book is currently out of print, although a reprinting of the paperback is scheduled for Spring 2006). All three (which I have reviewed separately; I call attention to some of Simek's shortcomings, but his book is mostly first-rate) have extensive bibliographies. Some of Lindow's extended articles come closest to Grimm's chapter-length treatises.

However, when all is said and done, there is something to be said for these four antiquated volumes. Like Aristotle, Jakob Grimm produced a "premature synthesis" of knowledge, and, as with Aristotle, even the errors of a first-class mind are worth pondering. And a lot of it *is* dead on right.

At some point "Teutonic Mythology" should be consulted by anyone interested in Germanic studies, or medieval literature, or folklore studies, or comparative mythology -- if only as an act of piety. Having hardcover and library-bound editions available may make this effort more likely than it has been in recent years. And maybe it will, sooner or later, be back in paperback form. ... Read more

Product Description
A particular, recurring feature of Old Norse myths and legends is an encounter between creatures of This World (gods and human beings) and those of the Other (giants, giantesses, dwarves, prophetesses, monsters and the dead). Concentrating on cross-gendered encounters, this book analyses these meetings, and the different motifs and situations they encompass, from the consultation of a prophetess by a king or god, to sexual liaisons and return from the dead. It considers the evidence for their pre-Christian origins, discusses how far individual poets and prose writers were free to modify them, and suggests that they survived in medieval Christian society because (like folk-tale) they provide a non-dogmatic way of resolving social and psychological problems connected with growing up, succession from one generation to the next, sexual relationships and bereavement. ... Read more