Norse Myths and Legends (Usborne Illustrated Guide to) [Paperback]

Cheryl Evans (Author), Anne Millard (Author), Rodney Matthews (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1987 | Age Level: 11 and up | Series: Usborne Illustrated Guide to

-- A fascinating introduction to the world of mythology

-- Brief outlines of all of the most famous stories

-- Ideal source of inspiration for role-playing games

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 11 and up
  
• Paperback: 48 pages
• Publisher: E.D.C. Publishing (April 1987)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0746000103
• ISBN-13: 978-0746000106
• Product Dimensions: 9.7 x 7.8 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.3 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #876,247 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #64 in Books > Children's Books > Fairy Tales, Folk Tales & Myths > Norse

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars An interesting introduction to the Norse myths and legends, December 10, 1998

By 

[e-mail] (Austin, Texas) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Norse Myths and Legends (Usborne Illustrated Guide to) (Library Binding)

While the illustrations owe much to fantasy role-playing games rather than reflecting actual Viking art, the information packed into this litle book is superb, and serves as an excellent introduction to the Norse myths and legends.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent!!!, April 9, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Norse Myths and Legends (Usborne Illustrated Guide to) (Library Binding)

This is the book that drew me to Norse Mythology in the first place. The illustrations are absolutely beautiful, and the stories are all very good too. Heck, I would recommend this book on its illustrations (by Rodney Matthews, by the way) alone, but I don't have to. YOU NEED THIS BOOK!

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Attention Grabbing Art, April 5, 2008

By 

Spence the Elder (East TN, USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Norse Myths and Legends (Usborne Illustrated Guide to) (Paperback)

Norse Myths and Legends
By Cheryl Evans & Anne Millard
Illustrated By Rodney Matthews

Considering that this book is mainly targeted at children from the ages of 7 to their early teens, the information presented here is mythologically accurate and relatively well researched, (if somewhat abbreviated). In fact I'd recommend it for anyone who wants a very quick refresher course on Norse Mythology regardless of their age group.
One reviewer mentioned that the art work looked, "Asian... and was terrible". I think that the artwork is at the very least, colorful and attention grabbing. Humm.... and the attention span of a 7-12 year old is how long? A book targeted toward this age group needs all the help it can get just to keep them interested and off the video games. On a more adult level, I thought that the illustrations were quite good. Granted they were not in the more "traditional" Frank Frezetta, realistic Norse or Conan mode, but they were however, rather haunting. It almost seemed to me that the subjects were otherworldly, elfin or even slightly alien. Well, that doesn't sound like any Norse God I've ever seen! At least the illustrator had the outstanding good sense not to illustrate this work with the half-nude Neo-Greek art style that seems to be decorating so many Norse Mythology books.

I really liked the "Who's Who" section at the end of the book. It was accurate and concise. The English pronunciations listed after each subject will be a great help for young readers or anyone not familiar with Germanic/Scandinavian inflections. Granted there are a few minor errors in the work but not terrible ones. Having worked on and off in the RPG/War Gaming Industry since the late 1970's I'd give this work a B as a RPG (Role-Playing-Game) aid. A good generic information source for RPG's on the Norse "Who's Who?", but not specific/detailed enough for most rabid Roll-Players.

All and all a good fun read with killer (no pun intended) illustrations. I bought this copy to read to my Grandson's. Now I have to order 4 more copies because all of the Grandchildren want their own copy, (and they can't have mine)! Enjoy!


In Frith,
Spence the Elder

"Sic gorgiamus allos subjectatos nunc"
M. Addams