The Anglo-Saxon World [Hardcover]

Kevin Crossley-Holland (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0851158854 | ISBN-13: 978-0851158853 | Publication Date: August 2004

The Anglo-Saxon World introduces the Anglo-Saxons in their own words — their chronicles, laws and letters, charters and charms, and above all their magnificent poems. Most of the greatest surviving poems are printed here in their entirety: the reader will find the whole of Beowulf, The Battle of Maldon, and the haunting elegiac poems. Here is a word picture of a people who came to these islands as pagans, subscribing to the Germanic heroic code, and yet within 200 years had become Christian to such effect that England was the centre of missionary endeavour and, for a time, the heart of European civilisation.Kevin Crossley-Holland places the poems and prose in context with his skilful interpretation of the Anglo-Saxon world; his translations have been widely acclaimed, and of Beowulf Charles Causley has written 'the poem has at last found its translator'. The many illustrations draw on the splendours of Anglo-Saxon manuscripts and jewellery and a wealth of archaeological finds. KEVIN CROSSLEY-HOLLAND is a poet and writer who takes a particular interest in the middle ages and in traditional tale: in addition to his translations from the Anglo-Saxon, he is also the author of versions of the Norse myths.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

Reissue with new introduction of hardback edition of classic anthology of Anglo-Saxon poetry and prose.

About the Author

Kevin Crossley-Holland is a poet and writer who takes a particular interest in the middle ages and in traditional tale: in addition to his translations from the Anglo-Saxon, he is also the author of versions of the Norse myths.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 304 pages
• Publisher: Boydell Press (August 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0851158854
• ISBN-13: 978-0851158853
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.4 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,330,066 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars All about the Anglo-Saxon World, April 7, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: The Anglo-Saxon World (Hardcover)

If you are interested in the cultural and historical backround of the Anglo-Saxons, this is definitely the book to get. Starting with famous heroic poems, it describes in brief a quick review on them before the poems themselves. Good for beginners, like I, who are interested in that era, but haven't a clue of anything.

It does include sections of the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, but not nearly enough for those who wish to see it all.
It includes the Wanderer, the Seafarer, Wulf and the Wife's Lament.
It also includes BEOWULF in a full.
After that it goes on to tell of different laws, poems, tracts, wills, charms and other things including some 30 riddles [some of them quite vulgar I might add].