Treasures Of Norse Mythology - Austin D. Kaplan

Open Your Norse Treasure Box!

Enter a world where gods and goddesses mingle with the supernatural beings of the Asgard and Jotunheim, where heroes fight epic battles and monsters are thwarted; where legendary tales are told with an eye toward eternal glory-the treasure that is Norse mythology is an undeniable pleasure to read. Explore another world of medieval times, never to be forgotten.

The motifs of Norse legends are similar to that of many other mythologies: Magic is a handy way to explain the extraordinary; heroes are larger-than-life, with superhuman strength and wisdom to spare; gods are tricky and should be approached with caution; harrowing journeys are undertaken; battles are fought and champions are forged. The Norse were the victims of internecine battles and foreign conquests, yet their legacy survives with a long-standing oral tradition that, eventually, was written down. We can see the Norse evolution from settled farmers to raiding Vikings to Christian converts through the thread of their treasure trove of myths and tales.

This book can take you through that journey, beginning with an overview of the Norse peoples and cultures, and into an understanding of their pantheon of gods and goddesses, their amazing tales of adventure and restless search for meaning, and a glimpse into who they actually were via the stories they held dear. Some specific elements you will encounter:

·        Some of the main gods of the Norse pantheon, with all their quirks and foibles

·        The mystery of the Nine Worlds, including Asgard and Valhalla

·        The wily ways in which Norse myths weave moral lessons throughout

·        The greatest hero, Thor, and the greatest trickster, Loki, in all of Norse myth

·        The story of Beowulf-the greatest literary hero to emerge out of Scandinavia

·        Tales of the race of giants-the devourers-who spread chaos and destruction

·        The twisted tale of the Mead of Suttungr, the inspiration for poets

·        The original version of Ragnarok-end of the universe

·        Profiles of trolls and Valkyries, elves and dwarves-the supernatural population of Norse mythology

·        The relationship between Midgard and the gods

·        A glimpse into the myriad ways that Norse culture and its mythology still yet influence our world today

Norse mythology is diverse and fascinating, offering us an insight into how ancient people believed and lived, what they valued and vilified, and how they lived and thrived. If you have enjoyed these treasured tales of Norse mythology, don't forget to explore the other fantastic realms of mythological magic in this series of books: Treasures of Egyptian Mythology, Treasures of Celtic Mythology, Treasures of Roman Mythology, and Treasures of Greek Mythology. You will find yourself in awe of the sweeping scope of history and culture represented by these mythological traditions, as well as gain a better understanding of how we continually make and re-make these myths for our own times. That's the fabulous thing about myths: They never truly die.