Rooted in an oral tradition, fantastic sagas of Norse mythology found their way into print seven centuries ago, in documents knows as the Eddas. This book presents 17 of the most popular tales, from the creation of the world to the death of the gods and the world's destruction.

Masterfully retold, the legends include Odin's trip to Mimer in search of knowledge, the making of Thor's hammer, the loss of Idun's wondrous apples, and the task of securing the dreaded Fenris-wolf with unbreakable silken twine devised from "the sound of a cat's footsteps, the roots of the mountains, the breath of a fish, and the sinew of a bear." Here, too, are accounts of "The Wooing of Gerd," "Thor Goes a Fishing," "The Death of Balder," "How Loke was Punished," The Twilight of the Gods," and "The New Earth."

The immortal tales from the Eddas have inspired such latter-day fantasies as Tolkien's Lord of the Rings and Wagner's Ring Cycle. Readers of today will find this edition of the beloved myths rich in the dramatic artistry and humor that have enchanted listeners since the days of the ancient Scandinavian storytellers.

From the back of the Dover edition