Asgard : An Illustrated Handbook to the Norse Gods and Goddesses

A beautifully illustrated handbook to the Norse gods and goddesses, the perfect companion to contemporary mythical retellings.

EXPLORE THE MYTHICAL PAST, MEET THE NORSE GODS AND GODDESSES AND DISCOVER WHY THEIR STORIES STILL THUNDER THROUGH OUR IMAGINATION TODAY... Have you ever wondered how Odin gained his wisdom? Or why Thor's hammer never misses its mark? Want to know the story behind Freyja's feline chariot? Whether you're already steeped in the sagas or encountering these myths for the first time, this handbook is your essential guide to the characters of Norse mythology. Drawing on sources ranging from the Poetic and Prose Edda to Viking Age rune stones and medieval manuscripts, this book offers rich and revealing profiles of each god, goddess, giant, hero and monster. Discover their origins, their most famous exploits, and the attributes that define them - from ravens and wolves to hammers and necklaces - and learn how to recognise these powerful figures in art, legend and modern storytelling.