Hammer of Thor - Norse Mythology and Legends - Special Edition [Paperback]

H.A. Guerber (Author), Shawn Conners (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 4, 2010

Many Norse stories were introduced to the world for the first time by H.A. Guerber in Myths of the Norsemen in 1909. Borrowing from this and other classic sources, Hammer of Thor - Norse Mythology and Legends contains more than two dozen bold and exciting myths and legends from Norse mythology, with the original sketched illustrations from the first edition of Guerber's Myths of the Norsemen.

This special edition begins with the Norse legend of creation and ends with a comparison between Norse and Greek mythology. Between, scores of larger than life heroes jump out of the pages to boast of their glorious adventures and achievements.

Roam the lands of the realm of Asgard, in the company of the greatest heroes to ever populate the heavens. Follow the mighty Thor, in the complete saga of his adventures, as he smites his enemies with his fearsome hammer. Bow to King Odin, wise and feared leader of the Norse gods. Then skulk along darkened passages with Loki, the most mischievous of the gods. Claim your honor before the coming of Ragnarök, when the mighty leave this world behind to claim their ultimate reward.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

Index of Stories

1. The Beginning
2. Odin
3. Frigga
4. Thor
5. Tyr
6. Bragi
7. Idun
8. Niörd
9. Frey
10. Freya
11. Uller
12. Forseti
13. Heimdall
14. Hermod
15. Vidar
16. Vali
17. The Norns
18. The Valkyrs
19. Hel
20. Ægir
21. Balder
22. Loki
23. The Giants
24. The Dwarfs
25. The Elves
26. The Sigurd Saga
27. The Frithiof Saga
28. The Twilight of the Gods
29. Greek and Northern Mythologies--A Comparison

Product Details

• Paperback: 268 pages
• Publisher: El Paso Norte Press (May 4, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1934255335
• ISBN-13: 978-1934255339
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #621,583 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Honest look at a past none of us have seen first hand., July 7, 2011

By 

Timer - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Hammer of Thor - Norse Mythology and Legends - Special Edition (Paperback)

The author says right up front that this book may not go along with the "common", "preferred", or "accepted" school's of thought regarding the history that surrounds the Norsemen and the Norse Mythology, and religion's role in both. It takes a step back, takes a fresh breath of air, and a fresh look at all of these from a different -albeit legitamate- perspective. At first I thought I wouldn't like it; however, after reading it, I have a new found respect for, and appreciation of, the Norse Mythology and the Norse peoples of our ancestry.

1.0 out of 5 stars Not what I expected..., January 30, 2012

By 

Dave (Ashburn, VA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Hammer of Thor - Norse Mythology and Legends - Special Edition (Paperback)

I recently purchased this book in order to read deeper into the Norse mythology. The book was presented as setting the myths and legends in their historical context. The book is broken down into sections. It begins with the creation myths and proceeds to address each deity and set them in their historical context. It also discusses the worship of these deities and how the worship impacted the daily lives of the people.

While on the surface this book appears to be a unique approach to the mythology there is a problem that I had with the work as a whole. I can accept the author's attempt to assign symbolism to various aspects of the mythology and figures. For example, the death of Balder being in some ways symbolic of the death of summer leading into winter. What I was unable to accept was the fact that the author was approaching the subject from a Christian viewpoint. Using the same myth as an example, the author explains that Hodur, being the god of "darkness" and being blind was symbolic of sin separating man from the light of "God" and blinding him. The killing of Balder by Hodur was symbolic of how sin separates man from "God". Then she proceeded to explain that Loki "being a personification of Lucifer" caused Hodur to throw the mistletoe sprig at Balder and that is symbolic of Lucifer tempting man and leading him into sin.

To say that this was the intent of the original myths is problematic at best. It is a gross attempt at revisionist history at worst. The author seems intent on ignoring the fact that at the time the myths and legends were originally told, Christianity had not yet been brought to the Norse cultures. The concepts of sin, redemption through Christ and the idea of a being called Lucifer were unknown to the Norse people.

Further the author's continued use of the word "ignorant" to describe the people who held to the pre-Christian beliefs of the Norse is at best insulting. At worst, it seems to be an attempt to argue the superiority of one set of beliefs over another.

In my opinion, to proclaim this book as a work that attempts to set the Norse myths in their historical context is misleading. Rather, I feel it should be marketed as a Christian perspective on the myths and legends. Overall, I purchased this book with high hopes of reading a well thought out, well presented scholarly work. I must say I was extremely disappointed by the way in which the author approached her subject.