Myths of the Norsemen (Puffin Classics)

Still the most enjoyable book of Norse mythology, even if it isn't 100% authentic. Who cares anyway, they're just stories, and I'm not trying to write a scholarly paper on the meaning of Thor's hammer. Arrived fast, great condition, I need to get a few more copies for nephews and nieces who always seem to get interested in mythology.

Great book. Loved it immensely. Learned so much . . . about how Odin came to only have one eye, how Thor got his hammer, Miolnir, how Loki came to be a part of the Aesir, etc. Fabulous stories told well.

It gives you a very interesting glimpse into Norse Mythology by providing a story, instead of several different accounts with different gods. This travels in a single line from the birth of the Tree of Life to the Ragnarok.

Very interesting and creative ways to think about the ways these gods are connected and lived out their lives. Funny at times.

My son loves everything about this book. The stories have been adapted nicely by Mr. Green, and are retold in a way that a youthful audience can understand without sacrificing the plot and characters!

I love learning about different mythologies. This book is excellent.

Great read, but book came damaged

Really nice size to kae with you anywhere, and the stories , AMAZING !

The Roger Lancelyn Green books are excellent introductions to the stories of the past. I own the volumes that Puffin has published in its Classics series but I find that this retelling of Norse mythology is a more cogent and focused story than the other books. As such it would be an ideal pace to start. All of Green's books present the stories in an accessible, clear and lively way. The retellings have a feeling for the original stories and are very atmospheric. However I note that this book has a clearer focus compared to the other books. The characters (Odin, Thor, Loki and the giants) are all well-drawn out and the focus is on the struggles of the gods of Asgard while they prepare for Ragnarok (i.e. doomsday.) In the other books there is comparatively less focus. This can be expected in volumes of disparate stories. Here, the focus is clearer. There is a slight digression when the book tells about Sigurd (i.e. the hero Siegfried of Wagner's Ring cycle). Even so this book still offers a tightly-told single-narrative retelling of the Nordic myths. I recommend this Roger Lancelyn Green book to any age, but all his retellings are recommendible to readers of all ages.

Thoroughly enjoyable. My son loves the book very much. Overall quality- paper, printing is nice

This is wonderful; a fine sampling of the ancient tales!

I enjoyed reading this book. It was a bit more succinct than Gaiman’s Norse mythology.

Like many people my age I read this and his other books when I was young, but I also read them again when I was at university, and am reading them now again in my retirement. They are still entertaining and informative, well written and as close as you could reasonably go for the intended audience to the original tales which are composited for the sake of the continuing narrative. I do like how he tries to tell a Coherent story, from the coming of the gods to Ragnorok, the end. If you are a youngster there is something unsatisfying about the fragmentary nature of the originals, and the Norse myths are filled with blood and guts. To include this without turning the stomach is one of the author's great skills. Most importantly they make you want to know more, which is a key aim of such books. He is a shining light of children's literature and whilst now having a PhD, I still loved them.