Huge in stature; living in far-distant wastelands; sometimes comically stupid or crude; but possessing vast wealth and knowledge-such are the giants of Norse myth and legend. Four Icelandic sagas and six tales, spanning five centuries, are brought together for the first time in all-new English translations. All tell of mighty giants, and of the heroes who dared to face them, fight them, and sometimes befriend them. The giants and trolls of old still live on in these legendary sagas of old times. These tales of epic voyages, wars, and romance will appeal to both scholars of Norse mythology and fans of Viking adventure. The sagas include the Saga of the Kjalarnes People, the Saga of Halfdan Brana's Fosterling, the Saga of Sorli the Strong, and the Saga of Illugi Grid's Fosterling. The six shorter tales are: the Tale of Halfdan the Black, the Tale of Hauk High-Breeches, the Tale of Jokul Buason, the Tale of Brindle-Cross, an excerpt from the Saga of the Fljotsdal People, and the Tale of Asmund Ogre-Lucky.

A hero breaks into the tomb of an undead Viking to win fabulous treasure. . . a wise king faces enemy armies and hostile magic to win brides for himself and his warriors. . . a rakish outlaw seduces beautiful women and fights monsters on his quest to clear his name. . . a lazy and reluctant boy survives slavery, treachery, and deadly sorcery as he grows into the greatest hero. . . The sagas newly translated in this book are Gautrek's Saga (in two versions), The Saga of Hrolf Gautreksson, The Saga of Bosi and Herraud, The Saga of Sturlaug the Hard-Working, The Saga of Hrolf the Walker, and The Saga of Hromund Gripsson. Written in Iceland beginning in the 1400s, these are some of the most popular Old Norse tales of high adventure. Viking legends, mythology, and lore were blended with medieval romances of chivalry to create these ""sagas of adventure."" Packed with sudden plot twists, dreadful villains, damsels in distress, and a generous dash of humor, these tales have never lost their power to delight.

The myths and legends of the Norsemen have entertained both old and young alike for hundreds of years. This fascinating collection contains stories retold from the Icelandic Eddas, the principal sources of knowledge of Norse mythology, and the Sagas of the ancient world of the Vikings. Following the deeds of the powerful Norse gods, such as Odin, Thor and Loki, and filled with a host of fantastic creatures and objects containing magical properties, the tales in Norse Mythology will conjure up a world of heroism and romance that will enthrall readers.

An introduction to such a vast subject as Norse Mythology can be problematic as it could well fall between two stools; so packed with details as to put one off, or so vague, that one is none the wiser for having read it. This text manages a pleasing balance, succeeds in whetting the appetite and supplying excellent online resources for the reader who wishes to find out more. Inside you will read about... ✓ The Creation in Norse Mythology ✓ The Nine Worlds ✓ Major Gods and Goddesses ✓ Valhalla ✓ Ragnarok ✓ The Sagas ✓ The Influence of Norse Mythology on Our Lives Today The author quotes generously from the most important relevant source which is freely available via the Project Gutenberg, and you are left with the sounds and taste of the times... ringing in your ears and tingling on your tongue.

Johan Egerkrans long dreamed of illustrating the Norse mythology, and when he released Norse Gods in Swedish it was an immediate success. Egerkrans re-tells the most exciting and imaginative sagas of the Norse mythology: From the creation myth in which the first giant Ymer is hacked to pieces by Odin and his brothers, to the gods' final destruction in Ragnarök. This is a gorgeously illustrated book in which gods, giants, dwarves, monsters and heroes are presented in all their glory. A book for those who already know and love these stories, as well as for those who have yet to discover Scandinavian mythology. A definitive work for readers of all ages. “It is a pleasure to be enchanted by the suggestive visualizations of Angerboda, Hel, Freya, Utgarda-Loki, Mimer and Surt." Dick Harrison, Svenska Dagbladet

Ken Follett’s magnificent historical epic begins as five interrelated families move through the momentous dramas of the First World War, the Russian Revolution, and the struggle for women’s suffrage. A thirteen-year-old Welsh boy enters a man’s world in the mining pits. . . . An American law student rejected in love finds a surprising new career in Woodrow Wilson’s White House. . . . A housekeeper for the aristocratic Fitzherberts takes a fateful step above her station, while Lady Maud Fitzherbert herself crosses deep into forbidden territory when she falls in love with a German spy. . . . And two orphaned Russian brothers embark on radically different paths when their plan to emigrate to America falls afoul of war, conscription, and revolution. From the dirt and danger of a coal mine to the glittering chandeliers of a palace, from the corridors of power to the bedrooms of the mighty, Fall of Giants takes us into the inextricably entangled fates of five families—and into a century that we thought we knew, but that now will never seem the same again. . . .

You've heard about Norse mythology before, but how much do you really know? By Odin's Beard! This Brief Guide on Norse mythology will get you up to speed! You may already be familiar with names and personalities such as Odin, Thor, Loki, and the Valkyries - and in this book you will learn about the many roles that they play within the various legends and sagas that have been passed down from generation to generation. You will learn about the impact that they have made on both the ancient Scandinavian cultures from where the stories arose and on modern culture in northern Europe.You will also learn how Norse mythology has become a leading source of storytelling ideas, and how the concepts and characters have found their way into works as diverse as Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings and Gaiman's American Gods; the operas that make up Wagner's acclaimed The Ring of the Nibelung; the musical genres of heavy metal and, specifically, Viking metal; and many others. Finally, I hope that reading about Norse mythology will help you gain a better understanding of the ancient cultures of Scandinavia: specifically, how these people saw the world and how they perceived themselves as they fit into that world. Here is a Brief Preview of What You'll Learn... Norse Culture and the Importance of Mythology Sources The Gods of Norse Mythology Inhabitants of the Universe Heroes and Heroines The Nine Worlds And Much, Much More! Become god-like now, and get this book!