Description:
Authoritative, comprehensive reference incorporating the latest research on tales, literary and oral sources, and the broad-reaching cultural legacy of Norse mythology.
The book describes the pagan origins of Scandinavia, the interaction between the Vikings and other Europeans, and the concept of time in Norse mythology, and gives a dictionary of deities, themes, and concepts. With 200 entries of up to four pages each, the dictionary includes both well-known characters like Thor and minor figures such as Gleipnir, the "fetter with which the wolf Fenrir was finally bound." It also includes further references about Viking and medieval Scandinavia, archaeology, etymology, the conversion of Iceland, other encyclopedias, and more.
- Provides a discussion of literary and oral sources and cultural meaning and surveys such themes as the mythic past, present, and future; cyclical time; time and space; and myth, narrative, and language
- Includes an A-Z guide to key mythological figures, concepts, and events, plus a full subject index and an extensive bibliography of print, web, video, and CD-ROM resources
Brief description:
John Lindow is professor of Scandinavian studies at the University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA.
Review Quotes:
"A reliable reference for the large range of published material addressing Nordic mythology, this scholarly volume is recommended for academic libraries." --Library Journal
"Highly recommended for all libraries, public and academic." --Choice "Makes a significant contribution to the fields of mythology and Scandinavian studies and is highly recommended for large public and academic libraries." --Booklist "This volume is a welcome addition to an impressive series of handbooks on world mythology. . . . [The] author of many books on the subject, [Lindow] is eminently qualified for the task. . . . Attractive as a desk or library reference, this volume can be profitably used by students or scholars." --American Reference Books Annual