Norse Mythology: A Guide to the Gods, Heroes, Rituals, and Beliefs

This book was a wonderful academic resource regarding Norse culture and mythology. The author breaks down several resources into a consolidated format and presentation to demonstrate aspects of the mythology, heroes, and culture. He draws on Snorri, as well as other authors and documents that are not often cited. His insight into things is quite impressive. For any serious student of Norse history, mythology, etc, this book is a must-have.

Along with Dictionary of Northern Mythology by Rudolf Simek this is an excellent reference to Norse myth and I would recommend that any serious student of Norse myth have both books around. This work provide a dictionary-type approach to introducing the various individuals, themes, and places of Norse myth. These are particularly useful when addressing more obscure topics (like the Disir) in the myths because the the discussion tends to be a scholar's digest of what is known. When I reviewed Simek's work I thought it was exceptional as far as dictionaries of mythology went. Now I am beginning to understand that it is not unique in that regard. This book belongs on the bookshelf right next to it. Like Simek's work, this book draws from textual studies archaeology, and etymology to provide a fairly substantial, though not comprehensive, reference to the Norse myths. In particular, each entry has a "further reading" section so it is perfect as a place to start research. I have to further agree with Ian Miles Slater on the quality of the illustrations. These contribute greatly to the book.

Great intro into the subject...I really enjoyed reading this book and getting a good grasp on the Norse Gods and beliefs....truly it belongs on any Odin believers coffee (mead?) table. Also good is: The Children of Odin: The Collected Sagas from the Northern Bible

I wasn't all that versed in Norse myth *until* I purchased and read this book. You get everything you need to fully understand Norse myth. You get geography, socioeconomic issues, religious history, and linguistics. Unusual concepts, such as "kennings", were clearly explained with examples. I also liked the encyclopedic entries for major and minor characters and traditions (ex. Mead of Poetry). Each entry included related entries and outside sources. Before I read this book, I couldn't weave together a basic outline of Norse mythology. (Be very careful of internet websites!) I finally feel *confident enough* to pursue further readings in Norse mythology. Thanks, Dr. Lindlow!

John Lindow's "Norse Mythology: A Guide to the Gods, Heroes, Rituals, and Beliefs" is one of three important reference works on the subject currently or recently available, following Rudolf Simek's heavily linguistic "Dictionary of Northern Mythology" (German edition 1984, translated by Angela Hall, 1993) and Andy Orchard's "Cassell's Dictionary of Norse Myth & Legend" (and slightly variant titles, 1997). Each of the three takes a different approach, and I have found them nicely complementary. Lindow's coverage, which is well-described in the subtitle, is not as complete in some areas. He does not try to match Simek on, say, Roman-era inscriptions, or Orchard on individual Icelandic sagas. In what he does cover, he is generally more comprehensive, and sometimes, I think, clearer (as on, say, the limited evidence for Norse religious practices). Lindow's discussions of methodologies and theories are informative, useful, and at times even entertaining. On this basis, it might well be a better book than the other two for beginners, although it should appeal to a more advanced readership as well. There is, of course, a trade-off, and some will prefer Orchard's more extensive coverage. (Where beginners in Norse mythology are concerned, Simek might be left to those approaching from a fairly advanced linguistic-oriented background, anyway.) The black and white illustrations are well-chosen, and most of them are clearly reproduced. Bibliographic notes to the articles are supplemented by a section of bibliographic essays (including Internet resources). Again, he provides less raw information than Simek and Orchard, but his presentation is better, and, once again, probably much more useful to a novice. (Mind you, I've been reading in the field since the middle 1960s, and took several relevant courses at UCLA in the 1970s, so I'm using a little imagination; but he tends to suggest books I then found helpful, and many I have wished had been available when I needed them.) Those already familiar with some earlier popular works on Norse mythology will probably recognize the cover art (part of a reconstructed medieval tapestry), which, most notably, has long been used on the cover of H.R. Ellis Davidson's "Gods and Myths of Northern Europe" (Penguin). Ironically, as Lindow informs the reader (see caption, page 251), the consensus that it was intended to portray Odin, Thor, and Frey has been challenged in recent scholarship.