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William Ian Miller

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'Why is your axe bloody?': A Reading of Njals Saga 1st Edition

by William Ian Miller (Author)

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Njals saga, the greatest of the sagas of the Icelanders, was written around 1280. It tells the story of a complex feud that starts innocently enough--in a tiff over seating arrangement at a local feast--and expands over the course of 20 years to engulf half the country, in which both sides are effectively exterminated, Njal and his family burned to death in their farmhouse, the other faction picked off over the entire course of the feud. Law and feud feature centrally in the saga, Njal, its hero, being the greatest lawyer of his generation. No reading of the saga can do it justice unless it takes its law, its feuding strategies, as well as the author's stunning manipulation and saga conventions. In 'Why is Your Axe Bloody?' W.I. Miller offers a lively, entertaining, and completely orignal personal reading of this lengthy saga.

ISBN-10

9780198704843
ISBN-13

978-0198704843
Edition

1st
Publisher

Oxford University Press
Publication date

September 17, 2014
Language

English
Dimensions

6.5 x 1 x 9.75 inches
Print length

368 pages
See all details

Lee M. Hollander
78
Paperback
34 offers from $2.25

Editorial Reviews

Review

"...the work provides a fascinating way of reading this brilliant saga. Why Is Your Axe Bloody? works on several levels and would be equally useful as a companion text for undergraduate students reading Njála for the first time or as a research companion for seasoned scholars interested in the finer details and cultural significance of the narrative. At the end of the day, Miller illustrates the boundaries of human motivation,
the consequences of love and feud, and ultimately reminds us that in the saga--which the
author claims, in the first person, by naming it at the very end--nothing is inconsequential, nothing is forgotten, and all debts will be repaid." -- Speculum

Book Description

A reader's guide to this complex and great saga

Product details

ASIN ‏ : ‎ 0198704844
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Oxford University Press; 1st edition (September 17, 2014)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 368 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 9780198704843
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0198704843
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.56 pounds
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6.5 x 1 x 9.75 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #6,714,626 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #6,546 in Medieval Literary Criticism (Books)
- #21,327 in Literature
- #38,729 in Family Saga Fiction

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William Ian Miller

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William Ian Miller is the Thomas G. Long Professor of Law at the University of Michigan Law School and honorary professor of history at the University of St.

Andrews. He has also taught at Harvard University, Yale University, The University of Chicago, and the Universities of Bergen and Tel Aviv. His various books, including most recently Losing It (2011) and "Why is your axe bloody:" A Reading of Njáls Saga have enjoyed critical acclaim.

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Joseph Koerner

It's like a new set of glasses

Reviewed in the United States on October 2, 2017

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A profound insight into the Icelandic mind. I've read Njal's Saga more than once and didn't understand half of what was really going on. Then I read this book. It's like a new set of glasses, putting everything into focus like never before.

Think Icelandic culture in the Norse Age was barbaric and unruly? Read this book and come to understand just how complex their morality and legal mentality really was.

Understand the motivations of Njal along with Gunnar, Hallgerd, Bergthora, and all the other characters of what is widely considered the best Icelandic Saga.

I plan on reading the other books by Professor Miller as well. His writing style is engaging, educational, and even humorous on occasion. I can't imagine what an incredible experience actually taking his classes is.

A recommended work for anyone interested in the often-misunderstood Norsemen, especially the legal dimensions of their feud culture.

3 people found this helpful

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Lori

Interesting and in a different direction than expected.

Reviewed in the United States on February 24, 2015

Verified Purchase

Not what I was expecting, but interesting nonetheless. The author presents medieval Norse society in a legal perspective (he's a lawyer). It provides a different perspective and insight into the Njal's Saga. While it is scholarly, unless you are researching into legal proceedings or some related theme, I wouldn't recommend using it as a reference or source of the more folklorish nature.

3 people found this helpful

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Tech journalist

What a ludicrous price for a Kindle book.

Reviewed in the United States on September 27, 2015

When you 'buy' a Kindle file you're not even the owner of the book; you have licensed its use.

The idea that any sane person would pay €70 for such a licence is beyond ridiculous.

This is an interesting book. If it were €5 I'd buy it.

5 people found this helpful

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'Why is your axe bloody?': A Reading of Njals Saga 1st Edition

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