From Asgard to Valhalla

The Remarkable History of the Norse Myths

Nonfiction, History, Scandinavia, Religion & Spirituality, Reference
Cover of the book From Asgard to Valhalla by Heather O'Donoghue, Bloomsbury Publishing
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Heather O'Donoghue ISBN: 9780857730435
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing Publication: September 30, 2008
Imprint: I.B. Tauris Language: English
Author: Heather O'Donoghue
ISBN: 9780857730435
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
Publication: September 30, 2008
Imprint: I.B. Tauris
Language: English

Whether they focus on Thor's powerful hammer, the wailing Valkyrie, the palatial home of the gods - Asgard - or ravenous wolves and fierce elemental giants, the Norse myths are packed with rowdy incident. But at the centre of their cosmos stands a gnarled old ash tree, Yggdrasil, from which all distances and times are measured. When the old tree creaks, Ragnarok - the end of the world and of the gods themselves - is at hand. It is from this tree that Odin, father of the gods, hanged himself in search of the wisdom of the dead: a disturbing image of divine sacrifice far removed from the feasting and fighting of his otherworld home, Valhalla. And an image so problematic for thirteenth century Christians that they left it out when they wrote the myths down.

From Asgard to Valhalla is the first book to show how and why the Norse myths have so powerfully resonated from era to era: from Viking-age stories of ice and fire to the epic poetry of Beowulf; and from Wagner's Ring to Marvel Comics' Mighty Thor. Heather O'Donoghue, who is an expert on Old Norse culture, shows in what ways the Norse myths have impacted on the western mind, across the fields of literature, art, music and politics. She considers the wider contexts of Norse mythology, including its origins, medieval expression and reception in post-medieval societies right up to the present. From Asgard to Valhalla is a book that will intrigue and delight anyone who is keen to understand how the Norse myths have so profoundly shaped, and continue to shape, the western cultural heritage.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

Whether they focus on Thor's powerful hammer, the wailing Valkyrie, the palatial home of the gods - Asgard - or ravenous wolves and fierce elemental giants, the Norse myths are packed with rowdy incident. But at the centre of their cosmos stands a gnarled old ash tree, Yggdrasil, from which all distances and times are measured. When the old tree creaks, Ragnarok - the end of the world and of the gods themselves - is at hand. It is from this tree that Odin, father of the gods, hanged himself in search of the wisdom of the dead: a disturbing image of divine sacrifice far removed from the feasting and fighting of his otherworld home, Valhalla. And an image so problematic for thirteenth century Christians that they left it out when they wrote the myths down.

From Asgard to Valhalla is the first book to show how and why the Norse myths have so powerfully resonated from era to era: from Viking-age stories of ice and fire to the epic poetry of Beowulf; and from Wagner's Ring to Marvel Comics' Mighty Thor. Heather O'Donoghue, who is an expert on Old Norse culture, shows in what ways the Norse myths have impacted on the western mind, across the fields of literature, art, music and politics. She considers the wider contexts of Norse mythology, including its origins, medieval expression and reception in post-medieval societies right up to the present. From Asgard to Valhalla is a book that will intrigue and delight anyone who is keen to understand how the Norse myths have so profoundly shaped, and continue to shape, the western cultural heritage.

More books from Bloomsbury Publishing

Cover of the book Dragon Lords by Heather O'Donoghue
Cover of the book Hotel by Heather O'Donoghue
Cover of the book The Riddle of Dr Sphinx by Heather O'Donoghue
Cover of the book History of the Rain by Heather O'Donoghue
Cover of the book Fashioning Horror by Heather O'Donoghue
Cover of the book Imperial Military Transportation in British Asia by Heather O'Donoghue
Cover of the book Little Owl’s First Day by Heather O'Donoghue
Cover of the book Growing Up with the Impressionists by Heather O'Donoghue
Cover of the book RSPB Nature Watch by Heather O'Donoghue
Cover of the book Emily Bronte and the Religious Imagination by Heather O'Donoghue
Cover of the book Burrows & Badgers by Heather O'Donoghue
Cover of the book Geographers by Heather O'Donoghue
Cover of the book Interpretation of International Investment Treaties by Heather O'Donoghue
Cover of the book Curtiss P-40 by Heather O'Donoghue
Cover of the book Foucault and Nietzsche by Heather O'Donoghue
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy