An Indie Next pick for December 2012, Song of the Vikings brings to life Snorri Sturluson, wealthy chieftain, wily politician, witty storyteller, and the sole source of Viking lore for all of Western literature. Tales of one-eyed Odin, Thor and his mighty hammer, the trickster Loki, and the beautiful Valkyries have inspired countless writers, poets, and dreamers through the centuries, including Richard Wagner, JRR Tolkien, and Neil Gaiman, and author Nancy Marie Brown brings alive the medieval Icelandic world where it all ...
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An Indie Next pick for December 2012, Song of the Vikings brings to life Snorri Sturluson, wealthy chieftain, wily politician, witty storyteller, and the sole source of Viking lore for all of Western literature. Tales of one-eyed Odin, Thor and his mighty hammer, the trickster Loki, and the beautiful Valkyries have inspired countless writers, poets, and dreamers through the centuries, including Richard Wagner, JRR Tolkien, and Neil Gaiman, and author Nancy Marie Brown brings alive the medieval Icelandic world where it all began. She paints a vivid picture of the Icelandic landscape, with its colossal glaciers and volcanoes, steaming hot springs, and moonscapes of ash, ice, and rock that inspired Snorri's words, and led him to create unforgettable characters and tales. Drawing on her deep knowledge of Iceland and its history and first-hand reading of the original medieval sources, Brown gives us a richly textured narrative, revealing a spellbinding world that continues to fascinate.
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Seller's Description:
Good. Trade paperback (US). Glued binding. 256 p. Contains: Illustrations, black & white, Maps. May show signs of wear, highlighting, writing, and previous use. This item may be a former library book with typical markings. No guarantee on products that contain supplements Your satisfaction is 100% guaranteed. Twenty-five year bookseller with shipments to over fifty million happy customers.
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
Good. Ships in a BOX from Central Missouri! May not include working access code. Will not include dust jacket. Has used sticker(s) and some writing or highlighting. UPS shipping for most packages, (Priority Mail for AK/HI/APO/PO Boxes).
Much of what we know of the Norse Gods and legends apparently were preserved and embellished upon by an Icelander of the 12th and 13th centuries, Snoori Snurluson. Most of the chapters start with a story of one of the Gods or legends and then the author skillfully weaves elements of Icelandic/Norse history and Sturulson's biography therein to make an easily read narrative. The last chapter also starts with a Norse legend, some Sturluson biography and Icelandic/Norse history but the preponderance covers the 'history' of Snurluson's manuscripts and their use in later 'culture.' Some of the manuscripts were damaged or lost but those that survived influenced later writers and composers. J.R.R. Tolkien is perhaps the one best known in recent times. However, many of Wagner's Operas are based on Snurluson's work.
Religion played a part in Icelandic society and, interestingly, different classes favored different Gods, Thor was favored by farmers and sailors while Odin was an aristocrat's God. Christianity came to Iceland in 1000 and that was when Icelandic book culture started. Snoori subtly gives some of the myths a Christian coloring 'bringing out the correspondence between Norse paganism and Christian teaching.' Unfortunately, some of the Sagas have been used to foster groups and societies that have been detrimental to world peace.
