{"product_id":"norse-myths-legends-2","title":"Norse Myths \u0026 Legends","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e''A terrific, detailed introduction of these wonderful stories and the pantheon of characters in them . . . their writing is vivid and lively . . . a great addition to any library.''\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eRosi Hollinbeck, San Francisco Book Review\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cbr\u003e''With recent volumes, such as Neil Gaiman''s \u003ci\u003eNorse Mythology\u003c\/i\u003e and J.R.R. Tolkien''s posthumously published \u003ci\u003eThe Legend of Sigurd \u0026amp; Gudrún\u003c\/i\u003e, appealing more to readers strictly interested in creative takes on classic Norse tales, this title attracts new readers by offering solid retellings and contextual information that serve as a valuable introduction to this rich tradition.'' \u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eLibrary Journal\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWhile the main focus of the book is on telling the stories, some scene-setting is provided at the beginning and each chapter also contains a section of commentary to explain what is going on and its significance.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe Norse myths have gained widespread attention in the English-speaking world, partly through a Scandinavian diaspora, especially in the USA) and partly through a great interest in the myths and legends which lie behind Viking activity.     \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eTolkien''s ''Middle Earth'', too, as seen in both \u003ci\u003eThe Lord of the Ring\u003c\/i\u003es and \u003ci\u003eThe Hobbit\u003c\/i\u003e films is heavily indebted to Germanic\/Norse mythology. The Whittock''s book fills a gap in the market between academic publications and the interest-generating (but confusing) products of Hollywood and comic-culture. This is an accessible book, which both provides a retelling of these dramatic stories and also \u003ci\u003esets them in context\u003c\/i\u003e so that their place within the Viking world can be understood. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe book explores Norse \u003ci\u003emyths\u003c\/i\u003e (stories, usually religious, which explain origins, why things are as they are, the nature of the spiritual) and\u003ci\u003e legends\u003c\/i\u003e (stories which attempt to explain historical events and which may involve historical characters but which are told in a non-historical way and which often include supernatural events).\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"MediaPlace","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":57321355805054,"sku":"NW9781472138033","price":14.65,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0817\/1379\/1261\/files\/9781472138033.jpg?v=1778599129","url":"https:\/\/mediaplace.com\/products\/norse-myths-legends-2","provider":"MediaPlace","version":"1.0","type":"link"}