Public-domain ebook
The Heroes of Asgard: Tales from Scandinavian Mythology
Language: en1,086 downloads on Project Gutenberg
Subjects
In: Mythology, Legends & Folklore
Public-domain ebook sourced from Project Gutenberg #41283.
About this book
The volume presents a compact collection of Norse myths retold for a younger audience, though the authors have taken care to prune the original introductory dialogues that previously interrupted the narrative flow. In this second edition the text has been revised, inaccuracies corrected, and fresh material added from sources the writers could not consult for the first printing. The contents are organized into clearly labeled chapters that follow the major figures of the Æsir, Thor, Frey, Freyja, Iduna, Baldur, and the binding of Fenrir, culminating in an account of Ragnarök. An introductory essay situates the myths within the broader Germanic tradition, drawing on the scholarship of Simrock, Laing, Thorpe, and others, and explains how the ancient oral poems were eventually recorded by figures such as Sæmund and Snorri. The result is a straightforward, illustrated guide that introduces the gods, giants, dwarfs, and elves without overwhelming detail.
The prose reflects a late‑Victorian scholarly tone, blending a didactic voice with the occasional flourish of antiquarian enthusiasm. The language is formal yet accessible, aiming to spark the imagination of children while still offering enough context for older readers interested in mythology. Readers who enjoy classic retellings of myth, appreciate concise yet well‑referenced storytelling, and have a curiosity about the origins of Scandinavian legend will find this book engaging. It suits both young learners beginning to explore the Norse pantheon and adult enthusiasts seeking a tidy, illustrated overview of the key tales.
Characters in The Heroes of Asgard
- ThorBroad-shouldered Viking warrior, red beard, hammer Mjölnir, leather armor, stormy eyes
- FreyjaRadiant maiden with golden hair, jeweled Brísingamen necklace, flowing silk gown, falcon-feather cloak
- BaldurYouthful, fair-haired god, luminous skin, simple linen tunic, serene expression
The opening · free to read
Norwood Press:
Berwick & Smith Co., Norwood, Mass., U.S.A.
PREFACE.
In preparing the Second Edition of this little volume of tales from the Northern Mythology for the press, the Authors have thought it advisable to omit the conversations at the beginning and end of the chapters, which had been objected to as breaking the course of the narrative. They have carefully revised the whole, corrected many inaccuracies and added fresh information drawn from sources they had not had an opportunity of consulting when the volume first appeared. The writers to whose works the Authors have been most indebted, are Simrock, Mallet, Laing, Thorpe, Howitt and Dasent.
CONTENTS.
The book keeps going
Keep reading, and see it illustrated
Reading is free forever. Sign up and watch scenes appear while you read.
Scenes Storieta drew for other classics.
