University Press returns with another short and captivating book – a brief history of Norse Mythology.

Norse Mythology, the collection of myths of the North Germanic peoples of Scandinavia, consists of tales of various deities, beings, and heroes, derived from numerous sources, including medieval manuscripts, archaeological representations, and folk tradition.

Most of the surviving mythology centers on the plights of the gods – like the hammer-wielding Thor, the one-eyed Odin, the beautiful Freyja, and the shape-shifting Loki – and their interactions with various other beings – like humans, trolls, elves, dwarves, and giants – beings who may be friends, lovers, foes, or family members of the gods.

This short book provides an abbreviated account of the dazzling and devastating beings, forces, and events of Norse Mythology – a version that you can read in about an hour.