that were sources of entertainment, comfort and explanations of the universe -- from animals to the seasons to the afterlife. Given that there are no surviving texts, the remaining myths have been changed through hundreds of years of oral tradition. Norse Mythology draws on Prose Edda and Poetic Edda, the two earliest and most faithful recordings of Norse myths. The chapters include: - An introduction to Norse history and culture -- Vikings, long ships, and raiding - Cyclical time: Runes, the creation of the Cosmos, First Gods - Yggdrasil and the Nine Realms - The Aesir Gods (Odin, Thor, Loki, Sif, Baldur, Idun) - The Vanir Gods (Njord, Freyr, Freyja, The Mighty Thor) - The Jotnar (Hela, Skadi, Skoll and Hati) - Monsters and other creatures (Dwarves, light elves Sleipnir, Odin's eight-legged horse, Kraken, trolls) - Other myths (why is the sea salty?) - Ragnarok and the Rebirth of the World. Illustrated in color throughout and accompanied by maps and photos of archaeological treasures, this is a highly entertaining and informative read as the world of entertainment draws more stories from Norse mythology.