Surveys the pre-Christian beliefs of the Scandinavian and Germanic peoples. Provides an introduction to this subject, giving basic outlines to the sagas and stories, and helps identify the charachter traits of not only the well known but also the lesser gods of the age.
Gods and Myths of Northern Europe
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About the Author
Hilda Davidson (1912-2006) was a lecturer and Vice-President of Lucy Cavendish College, Cambridge.
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First Sentence
Christianity was firmly established in north-western Europe in the twelfth century, but there was still interest in the heathen legends of the gods. Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
Christianity was firmly established in north-western Europe in the twelfth century, but there was still interest in the heathen legends of the gods. Read the first page
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Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
By wolf
VINE™ VOICE
Format:Paperback
What did the Vikings really think of their gods? Why was Odin, their chief god, not to be trusted? Who did the German tribes believe brought them victory in battle? Did anyone ever worship Balder?
Excellent guide to the pagan beliefs of the germanic peoples from Scandinavia to England which will provide some of the best answers for these questions you are likely to find. Scholarly, but easy to digest, this book is just as much for the general interested reader as the academic.
Written some decades ago now, there are newer books with information from later archeology but this is an ideal place to start.
It should be noted, howwever, that this is not a retelling of the myths and legends of the Norse - search elsewhere for those.
Excellent guide to the pagan beliefs of the germanic peoples from Scandinavia to England which will provide some of the best answers for these questions you are likely to find. Scholarly, but easy to digest, this book is just as much for the general interested reader as the academic.
Written some decades ago now, there are newer books with information from later archeology but this is an ideal place to start.
It should be noted, howwever, that this is not a retelling of the myths and legends of the Norse - search elsewhere for those.
36 of 44 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
This book does not tell the story of the Gods and Myths of Northern Europe, it comments on the stories. It gives snippets and summaries, not enough to bring the characters or stories to life, and then goes on to comment in depth about the deities therein. It was first published in 1964, and to me the writing style seems somewhat old fashioned. It also seems to try and interpret the Norse Gods with reference to myths from other parts of the world. Yes, comparitive religion and mythology can be an interesting view on the world, but surely Gods and Myths of Northern Europe can be understood on their own terms, referring to Norse works and religion, not dragging in any number of myth patterns that dont seem a very good fit. Basically it seems to me to cast its net too widely, using references that seem very tenuously connected to Northern Europe at best, and using too many words to do it.
10 of 13 people found the following review helpful
By Sutcliffe
Format:Paperback
This was my first introduction to Norse mythology other than the odd dodgey film (see 'The Vikings' Kirk Douglas and Tony Curtis) and making a mini long boat in primary school when i was 9 years old!!
It gives a fantastic basic introduction to this subject without ever going over the top, it gives basic outlines to the sagas and stories, and helps identify the charachter traits of not only the well known but also the lesser gods of the age.
Since reading this book i have become more and more interested in a wider range of myth and legends from other great civilizations. It sounds daft, but this book did actually change my life; no less than when i first read 1984 or crime and punishment, just in a different way.
It gives a fantastic basic introduction to this subject without ever going over the top, it gives basic outlines to the sagas and stories, and helps identify the charachter traits of not only the well known but also the lesser gods of the age.
Since reading this book i have become more and more interested in a wider range of myth and legends from other great civilizations. It sounds daft, but this book did actually change my life; no less than when i first read 1984 or crime and punishment, just in a different way.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Gods of our ancestors
This was the first book ive read on the subject and i have since fell in love with it. This book teaches us who our anglo-saxon/viking gods were that our ancestors worshipped... Read more
Published on 17 Mar 2008 by Angelcynn
5.0 out of 5 stars
Don't miss it!
If you are in norse mythology or if you want to begin to learn the basis of norse myths, this may be the book for it. Read more
Published on 3 May 1999
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