This anthology of essays, Northern Myths, Modern Identities, explores the various ways in which ancient mythologies have been cultivated in the cultural construction of ethnic, national and supra-national identities from 1800 to the present. How were Old Norse, Finno-Ugric and Frisian myths employed as rhetorical devices in national narratives? And how did (and do) these new interpretations convey a sense of ‘northernness’? This volume approaches these issues from an interdisciplinary and international perspective, and brings together case studies from Scandinavia, the Baltic region, Friesland, Britain, the United States and even Japan. Thus, it provides a unique insight into the reception history and uses of northern myths in the present, and their role in the creation of modern identities. Contributors are: Tim van Gerven, Gylfi Gunnlaugsson, Simon Halink, Sumarliði R. Ísleifsson, Otto S. Knottnerus, Joep Leerssen, Daisy Neijmann, Han Nijdam, Robert A. Saunders, Katja Schulz, Tom Shippey, Carline Tromp, and Kendra Willson.

Norse Mythology explores the magical myths and legends of Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Iceland and Viking-Age Greenland and outlines the way the prehistoric tales and beliefs from these regions that have remained embedded in the imagination of the world. The book begins with an Introduction that helps put Scandinavian mythology in place in history, followed by a chapter that explains the meaning of mythic time, and a third section that presents in-depth explanations of each mythological term. These fascinating entries identify particular deities and giants, as well as the places where they dwell and the varied and wily means by which they forge their existence and battle one another. We meet Thor, one of the most powerful gods, who specializes in killing giants using a hammer made for him by dwarfs, not to mention myriad trolls, ogres, humans and strange animals. We learn of the ongoing struggle between the gods, who create the cosmos, and the jötnar, or giants, who aim to destroy it. In the enchanted world where this mythology takes place, we encounter turbulent rivers, majestic mountains, dense forests, storms, fierce winters, eagles, ravens, salmon and snakes in a landscape closely resembling Scandinavia. Beings travel on ships and on horseback; they eat slaughtered meat and drink mead. Spanning from the inception of the universe and the birth of human beings to the universe's destruction and the mythic future, these sparkling tales of creation and destruction, death and rebirth, gods and heroes will entertain readers and offer insight into the relationship between Scandinavian myth, history, and culture.

Alphabetically listed entries identify and explain the characters, events, important places, and other aspects of Norse mythology.

Author Shirley Raye Redmond allows your readers an enriching look at the mythology of the Norse culture. She explains how the beliefs, values, and experiences of this culture are represented in its treasured stories. Tales covered include creation stories, and myths of the gods, frost giants, and heroes. This volume has a map of Scandinavia, a genealogy grid with some of the major gods and prominent characters such as Loki and his offspring, a table of key characters with name pronunciations and brief descriptions, a glossary, sidebars, fact boxes, a bibliography of sources for further study, and a subject index.

♥♥ Asgard Stories: Tales from Norse Mythology by Mabel H. Cummings and Mary H. Foster ♥♥ Asgard Stories: Tales from Norse Mythology contains several stories from old Scandinavian myths. Written for juvenile readers but still of interest to older mythology fans. Chapters include: The Story of the Beginning; Odin’s Reward; Tyr and the Wolf; Freyja’s Necklace; The Hammer of Thor; Thor’s Wonderful Journey; How Thor lost his Hammer; A Gift from Frigga; The Stealing of Iduna; Skadi; Baldur; Ægir’s Feast; The Punishment of Loki; and, The Twilight of the Gods. ♥♥ Asgard Stories: Tales from Norse Mythology by Mabel H. Cummings and Mary H. Foster ♥♥ This little volume is the outcome of several years' experience in telling to classes of children the classic myths, both southern and northern. The insight and interest displayed by the children encourage the authors to hope that other teachers and pupils may enjoy the myths here reproduced. ♥♥ Asgard Stories: Tales from Norse Mythology by Mabel H. Cummings and Mary H. Foster ♥♥ The interest shown at present in the teaching of myths to children seems to call for some such simple volume, giving the Norse myths in suitable form for use with pupils as well as for the children's home reading. There are various collections of the Greek tales, but the books dealing with the Norse myths seem to be more or less cumbered with detail, and, therefore, not adapted to very young readers.