The Anglo-Saxon World: An Anthology (Oxford World's Classics) [Paperback]

Kevin Crossley-Holland (Translator)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0192835475 | ISBN-13: 978-0192835475 | Publication Date: June 24, 1999

Crossley-Holland--the widely acclaimed translator of Old English texts--introduces the Anglo-Saxons through their chronicles, laws, letters, charters, and poetry, with many of the greatest surviving poems printed in their entirety.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"A very pleasant anthology which presents the most important texts from the Anglo-Saxon period in good modern English translations....The reflections are wonderful and invite every reader to plunge into the world of pre-conquest England. It is a hndy treasure which students will cherish."--A. Classen, University of Arizona

"An excellent anthology with fine translations."--Roy M. Liuzza, Tulane University

"A very impressive collection that paints a complete picture of a key part of our cultural heritage."--Bruce L. Sublett, Angelina College

"The introductions to the various chapters are well-written and informative. Overall, an excellent resource for an undergraduate course in Medieval English Literature."--Philip A. Genetti, Ph.D., Emmanuel College

A well-chosen collection of prose and poetic texts clearly translated into modern English. An admirable companion to the study of the original texts in a beginning course in Old English."--Robert Kellogg, University of Virginia

Language Notes

Text: English (translation) --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA (June 24, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0192835475
• ISBN-13: 978-0192835475
• Product Dimensions: 7.5 x 5.1 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #478,055 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

49 of 50 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Fine Sampler, May 27, 2000

By 

Mark J. Knickelbine (Mt. Horeb, WI USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Anglo-Saxon World: An Anthology (Oxford World's Classics) (Paperback)

Another gem of the Oxford World's Classics series, Crossley-Holland's anthology presents a generous selection of poetry and prose covering the major genres of Anglo Saxon Lit. All the famous stuff is here -- Seafarer, Wanderer, Battle of Maldon,etc -- including a very fine Beowulf translation that's highly readable without straying far from the literal meaning of the original. Plus riddles, laws, sections of the Chronicle -- quite enough to get a rounded picture of this fascinating literature, and all well translated. The scholarly notes are sparse but adequate for an intro-level text. If I could make one suggestion for improvement, it would be to add the Anglo-Saxon versions in a bilingual edition, so readers could have the sound and structure of the originals.

19 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars beautiful renderings of the elegies, May 31, 2003

By 

Gabriel Murray - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Anglo-Saxon World: An Anthology (Oxford World's Classics) (Paperback)

I bought this book in an old edition paperback form in Dublin because it contained the major elegies such as the Wanderer and the Seafarer. I ended up being extremely satisifed not only with the beautiful translation of the Wanderer, but with all of the selections and with Crossley-Holland's comments. I was very thrilled to meet him recently at a reading in Seattle, where he was promoting his Arthur trilogy. I'll have to check that out.

21 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating Reading, July 9, 2005

By 

Aunt Amethyst - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Anglo-Saxon World: An Anthology (Oxford World's Classics) (Paperback)

I'm a homeschooled student (in 10th grade). I read this book as part of a course on early European history, and have also referred to it while studying the history of the English language. Most of the translations are very accessible to the modern reader on their own, and Mr. Crossley-Holland's insightful commentary clears up those which are more difficult or obscure. Anyone who has a serious interest in the literature and culture of the Anglo-Saxons will not be disappointed in this book.