A riveting and mesmerising exploration of Norse legends The stories of Scandinavian gods and heroes have permeated the modern world, from best-selling books to blockbuster Hollywood films. For nearly a millennium before Christianity, legends pervaded daily life in Iceland and the northern reaches of Europe. Since then, they have been perpetuated through literature and the arts in ways ranging from Tolkien and Wagner to graphic novels and the Marvel universe. This book covers the whole cast of supernatural characters, from gods to trolls, heroes to monsters, and discusses the myths' social and historical context, including burial ceremonies, sacrificial acts, and runes.