Rating: 
Summary: Comprehensive and Contemporary
Review: The book brings Northern mythology to life. Kevin Crossley-Holland retells the myths in a flowing, easy-to-follow, contemporary style. This is also a very comprehensive collection of myths that includes thirty two stories, some of which cannot be found in more slender volumes. The book also contains an introduction, notes, glossary, bibliography, and index.The introduction is probably the most helpful of all introductions I found in books on Northern mythology. It starts with the role of geography in the shaping of Northern myths and proceeds to explain the cosmology and the pantheon of the ancient Anglo-Saxon peoples. It even contains a graphical representation of the mighty world tree Yggdrasill, which is very helpful in understanding the structure of various realms of the world of Northern mythology. I cannot tell enough good things about the myths themselves. And the only way to appreciate them is to read them. The first myth in the book is the myth of creation, and the last myth is, of course, Ragnarok. The notes complement the tales and can be read after you are done with all the myths. I find many notes enlightening. I highly recommend this book
Rating:
Summary: A Guide to Life: Pagan-Norse Style
Review: There really isn't any other book of Norse Myths like this on the market today. This book is the product of an attempt to bring the myths from various sources together into a coherent whole and at the same time imbue them with tough earthy Anglo-Saxon diction. Dr. Holland has brought his lifelong fascination for the Norse world into this book and shared it out to all his readers. There still is a very real 'Norse' or 'Anglo-Saxon' element in the English-speaking world's mentality and this book helps us access it. In my case, I came across this book in my early Twenties and I liked it so much I read it again and again, reading one of the thirty-three myths every day. There is something about the courage of the Norse outlook that I found and find appealing seeing how our lives are so fraught with silly worries and artificial fears. I really do think that the Northern spirit of bravery and the desire to seek out challenges for the sake of reputation and the ability to tell a good tale has played a large role in the development of science and of our civilization, and these Norse cultural ancestors of ours are the ones who gave us these qualities. This book helps us access these qualities and bring them into our lives.
Rating:
Summary: A Guide to Life: Pagan-Norse Style
Review: There really isn't any other book of Norse Myths like this on the market today. This book is the product of an attempt to bring the myths from various sources together into a coherent whole and at the same time imbue them with tough earthy Anglo-Saxon diction. Dr. Holland has brought his lifelong fascination for the Norse world into this book and shared it out to all his readers. There still is a very real 'Norse' or 'Anglo-Saxon' element in the English-speaking world's mentality and this book helps us access it. In my case, I came across this book in my early Twenties and I liked it so much I read it again and again, reading one of the thirty-three myths every day. There is something about the courage of the Norse outlook that I found and find appealing seeing how our lives are so fraught with silly worries and artificial fears. I really do think that the Northern spirit of bravery and the desire to seek out challenges for the sake of reputation and the ability to tell a good tale has played a large role in the development of science and of our civilization, and these Norse cultural ancestors of ours are the ones who gave us these qualities. This book helps us access these qualities and bring them into our lives.
Rating:
Summary: In Depth...
Review: This book is by far one of the best Norse Myth books I have read. It goes into great detail to explain the different myths and the characters involved. If you're looking for a book that is more adult orientated, this would be it. I'd recommend this book for people really interested in Norse myths.
Rating:
Summary: The best book on Norse tales
Review: This book is wonderfully done with a thorough index (I think is important to have) and with long notes about each tale explaining it's meaning. (For MORE indepth meaning I suggest Masks of Odin by Elsa-Brita Titichenell). But this one covers it ALL! Even a glossary showing every Nordic name in the book, it's meaning AND the myth that the name appears in. Easy to read, and flows nicely. You'll be sucked into it! The author does a GREAT job using kennings (different names for the same person) to display the mood of each myth;That is something commonly overlooked, and something that needs to be kept in translation of the myths to show hidden meaning if you can find it. No, you won't be upset if you buy this one. Follow your blood!
Rating:
Summary: The best book on Norse tales
Review: This book is wonderfully done with a thorough index (I think is important to have) and with long notes about each tale explaining it's meaning. (For MORE indepth meaning I suggest Masks of Odin by Elsa-Brita Titichenell). But this one covers it ALL! Even a glossary showing every Nordic name in the book, it's meaning AND the myth that the name appears in. Easy to read, and flows nicely. You'll be sucked into it! The author does a GREAT job using kennings (different names for the same person) to display the mood of each myth;That is something commonly overlooked, and something that needs to be kept in translation of the myths to show hidden meaning if you can find it. No, you won't be upset if you buy this one. Follow your blood!
Rating:
Summary: A very complete primer
Review: This book represents a very good mix of a scholastic and entertaining retelling of the classic Norse myths. Additionally, the text includes historical and points of interest notes on each myth as an appendix. Readers will find this text enjoyable and informative.
Rating:
Summary: a great book for both scholars and first-timers alike
Review: This is a great book for both scholars and first-timers alike. Crossley-Holland writes 32 chapters/stories that render the stories in modern language while retaining the character of the original poems and sources. In the notes that follow, he lists his sources and describes the writers in a historical context. Particularly fascinating is how he finds similarities between Norse mythology and mythologies of other cultures. Highly recommended.
Rating:
Summary: An excellent base for Norse Myths
Review: This is an excellent book for those who have been unfortunate enough to have been never taught about the awesome Nordic people and their beliefs. KCH's introduction is very in-depth and informative, and wets your feet and prepares you for the myths, which are superbly retold. I highly recommend this to anyone who wants to learn more about the Norse. Awesome people, awesome book. One of my personal favorites is reading about Loki getting into a pickle and to get out of it, turning into a mare to seduce a stallion, then supiciously being gone for while, bringing Odin back a new foal. Good laughs.
Rating:
Summary: Absolute best source for beginners
Review: This is an excellent place to begin for anyone studying Norse mythology. The Eddic tales are presented in an interesting and appealing way, while staying true to the atmosphere of the originals.
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