Customer Reviews

The Sagas of Ragnar Lodbrok

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Dr. Waggoner's translation of these great stories is straightforward and very pleasant to read. His introductory notes are interesting and helpful in understanding the context and the content of the stories. Whether you're a veteran saga reader or new to the genre, this is an excellent choice.

The story of Ragnar Lodbrok is the quintessential concept of today's image of the ultimate Norse Warrior. He was daring and bold throughout his life. Then, while he was facing his own death, he meet's it head on and laughing. Ragnar then composes his Life-Song/Death-speech as Death reaches for him. The "Ragnar" archetype character has become a staple for books and movies throughout the world. My favorite example is in the 1958 movie, "The Vikings", in which Ernest Borgnine portrays Ragnar Lodbrok. This was one of those pivotal movie moments for me that I will never forget as he, (Borgnine), gets a sword and laughing, looks at his captors with contempt and jumps into the wolf pit to his death. I was probably only 5 or 6 years old when I first saw that movie and it had a profound effect on me that has lasted all my life.

Ben Waggoner's translations are quite fluid, understandable and entertaining. He has presented these stories in a very modern, readable format. Each of the five sagas are well introduced at the beginning of the book and very well footnoted. Dr. Waggoner also includes an extensive Bibliography and Index.

My personal favorite in this edition was, "Krákumál". I liked the way the kennings were laid out to the right of the poem. The only way it could have been better would have been if the original Norse script side by side with the translation.

If you like these Saga's, I recommend Dr. Waggoner's other Saga translations which are available on Amazon from Troth Publications.

Very good read, highly recommended!

Spence the Elder
"Sic gorgiamus allos subjectatos nunc"
-M. Addams