From Asgard to Valhalla : the remarkable history of the Norse myths

Whether they focus on Thor's powerful hammer, the mysterious valkyries, the palatial home of the gods - Asgard - or ravenous wolves and fierce elemental giants, the Norse myths are packed with vivid incident. But at the centre of their cosmos stands a gnarled old ash tree from which all distances and times are measured. When the old tree creaks, Ragnarok - the end of the world and of the gods themselves - is at hand. It is from this tree that Odin, father of the gods, hanged himself in search of the wisdom of the dead: a disturbing image of divine sacrifice far removed from the feasting and fighting of his otherworld home, Valhalla. This is the first book to show how the Norse myths have resonated from era to era: from Viking-age stories of ice and fire to the epic poetry of Beowulf; and from Wagner's "Ring" to Marvel Comics' "Mighty Thor". Heather O'Donoghue considers the wider contexts of Norse mythology, including its origins, medieval expression and reception in post-medieval societies right up to the present. "From Asgard to Valhalla" is a book that will intrigue and delight anyone with an interest in how the Norse myths have so profoundly shaped the western cultural heritage. From Asgard To Valhalla Is The First Book To Show How And Why The Norse Myths Have So Powerfully Resonated From Era To Era: From The Viking-age Stories Of Ice And Fire To The Epic Poetry Of Beowulf: From The Twilight Of The Gods In Wagner's Gotterdammerung To Marvel Comics' Mighty Thor; And From Neil Gaiman's American Gods To The Cult Appeal Of Viking Metal. Heather O'donoghue, Who Is An Expert On Old Norse Culture, Shows In What Ways The Norse Myths Have Impacted On The Western Mind, Across The Fields Of Literature, Art, Music And Politics. She Considers The Wider Contexts Of Norse Mythology, Including Its Origins, Medieval Expression And Reception In Post-medieval Societies Right Up To The Present, Distinguishing The Myths In Their Original Form From A Host Of Later Accretions, Distortions And Transformations.--jacket. A Note On Proper Names -- Introduction -- The Earliest Sources Of Old Norse Mythology -- Creation And Cosmos -- Gods And Giants -- Heroes And Humans -- Afterlife And Apocalypse -- The Reception Of Norse Myth -- The Viking Legacy -- Romantic Revolutions -- The Rise Of Racism -- Contemporary Myths -- Epilogue -- Timeline. Heather O'donoghue. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 205-208) And Index. "This title tells from deep within Odin's cavernous halls: the stories of the Viking Gods.From Viking-age stories of ice and fire to the epic poetry of "Beowulf", from the warrior Valkyries to Tolkien's "Riders of Rohan" and from Wagner's "Gotterdammerung" to Marvel's "Mighty Thor", Norse mythology arguably offers something for everyone. "From Asgard to Valhalla" is unique in showing how these myths have impacted on and continue powerfully to resonate across the fields of literature, art, music and politics. In her sparkling new book, Heather O'Donoghue ranges from the high culture of "The Poetic Edda" and the Romantic sublime to popular manifestations of Norse mythology, such as the fantasy novels of Neil Gaiman and Diana Wynne Jones. Distinguishing the myths in their original form from a host of later accretions, the book tells the gripping story of how such strange and fragmentary material was seized and remodelled throughout the centuries: whether by the volkisch fantasies of the Third Reich or the modern-day cult appeal of Viking Metal."--Bloomsbury Publishing Whether it be Thor's powerful hammer, the mysterious valkyries, the palatial home of the gods - Asgard - or ravenous wolves and fierce elemental giants, the Norse myths are packed with vivid incident. This is the first book to show how the Norse myths have resonated from era to era: from Viking-age stories of ice and fire to the epic poetry of Beowulf ; and from Wagner's Ring to Marvel Comics' Mighty Thor . Heather O'Donoghue considers the wider contexts of Norse mythology, including its origins, medieval expression and reception in post-medieval societies right up to the present. From Asgard to Valhalla is a book that will intrigue and delight anyone with an interest in how the Norse myths have so profoundly shaped the western cultural heritage. Content: List of Plates -- Acknowledgements -- A Note on Proper Names -- Introduction -- Part One: The Earliest Sources of Old Norse Mythology 1. Creation and Cosmos 2. Gods and Giants 3. Heroes and Humans 4. Afterlife and Apocalypse -- Part Two: The Reception of Norse Myth 5. The Viking Legacy 6. Romantic Revolutions 7. The Rise of Racism 8. Contemporary Myths -- Epilogue -- Timeline -- Bibliography -- Index.