Scandinavian Mythology

Scandinavian Mythology By H.R. Ellis Davidson "Scandinavian Mythology", is what I would call a good look at the, "Viking Era", the short form. The book is set up for the "popular" audience, not unlike many of the Time Life publications but done much better. While Davidson's research and writings are very accurate and her commentary is spot on, the entire feel of the work is not the scholarly look at the "Norse" explosion onto the world stage that we, her avid readers, have come to expect. Littered with some very good photographs and illustrations, this work is a must have for the "Viking" aficionado, however, it falls just a bit short of her previous works. This is the curse of publishing for both the serious researcher and the popular/money making market. Being a consummate capitalist myself, I completely understand this. Additionally, be advised, this work was published in 1996, under the title, "Viking & Norse Mythology". Don't do what I did and buy them both on the internet and discover that you have spent twice the money for the same book, although I will grant that some of the photos were different or at least arranged differently. I haven't noticed any text differences between the two. All & all I do recommend this book but if you are familiar with Davidson's other works, it is a very slight letdown, although all the photos and illustrations helped to offset this somewhat. As I said, a wonderful introduction into the "Viking" world with most of the insights that we've come to expect from H.R.E.D., it is however, the short form. In Frith, Spence The Elder "Sic gorgiamus allos subjectatos nunc" M. Addams

Scandinavian Mythology By H.R. Ellis Davidson "Scandinavian Mythology", is what I would call a good look at the, "Viking Era", the short form. The book is set up for the "popular" audience, not unlike many of the Time Life publications but done much better. While Davidson's research and writings are very accurate and her commentary is spot on, the entire feel of the work is not the scholarly look at the "Norse" explosion onto the world stage that we, her avid readers, have come to expect. Littered with some very good photographs and illustrations, this work is a must have for the "Viking" aficionado, however, it falls just a bit short of her previous works. This is the curse of publishing for both the serious researcher and the popular/money making market. Being a consummate capitalist myself, I completely understand this. If the work was thicker and had more color photos I would recommend it a coffee table book, but alas, the brevity of the work makes this impossible. Additionally, be advised, this work was published in 1996, under the title, "Viking & Norse Mythology". Don't do what I did and buy them both on the internet and discover that you have spent twice the money for the same book, although I will grant that some of the photos were different or at least arranged differently. I haven't noticed any text differences between the two. All & all I do recommend this book but if you are familiar with Davidson's other works, it is a very slight letdown, although all the photos and illustrations helped to offset this somewhat. As I said, a wonderful introduction into the "Viking" world with most of the insights that we've come to expect from H.R.E.D., it is however, the short form. In Frith, Spence The Elder "Sic gorgiamus allos subjectatos nunc" M. Addams