From the Introduction of this 128 page book: "Viking mythology is Norse mythology; and Norse mythology is in turn the best recorded version of Teutonic mythology. The Vikings were a Teutonic people who established themselves in Scandinavia between the late 8th century and the middle of the 11th century. They were characterized by a mixture of great chivalry and barbaric cruelty. Their gods dictated that men should be almost inhumanly brave in death; and so it was a token of respect to a defeated foe to give him the maximum latitude to display his bravery. In this respect the Vikings did; though; show a great deal of honesty: should one of their number be submitted to similar tortures it was expected of him that he should bear them without undue complaint; and should bear no grudge into the afterlife against his tormentors. Even the most warlike of the Vikings did pay lip-service to an ethical system. The mythology which the Norse people have left us has had a powerful affect on our imaginations. The list of modern fiction based on Norse mythology is long. Viking mythology is not a single continuous story; instead it is a set of stories - many of them very good ones - that relate to each other only with difficulty." From the rear cover: "The whole range of Viking Mythology covered; including gods; goddesses; and the afterlife. Over 100 full-color illustrations; including Viking artifacts; Compelling myths and legends told in a lively style."
#1173362 in Books Hippocrene Books 2000-11-01Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.02 x .62 x 5.98l; 1.09 #File Name: 0781808332240 pages
Review
22 of 22 people found the following review helpful. Linguistic Archeology: Scholarly SpeculationBy Dr. Debra Jan BibelWith only shards of evidence and confusion and ambiguity on the meaning of ancient Chinese terms; which are most likely mutated transliterations from Persian and Arabic; Chinese ethnographic and historical scholars debate on when Jews first arrived; traded; and dwelled in China. After all; even in the West in fairly recent times; Jews were called; in English; Hebrews and Israelites. The editor and translator of this book is a long-time Chinese citizen; a Jew himself. That Jews had resided for centuries in Kaifeng; which was a capital of China in the Middle Ages; is well known. Although the scholarly repetition of evidence and various interpetations get tiresome quickly; there are still interesting commentary and the reader soon acquires an understanding of the Silk Road and the lure of China. A chapter provides an extensive contemporary description of Kaifeng in 1147; which was aided by a huge scroll painting; and establishes the capital as a cosmopolitan and cultural center; apparenty a few years later; in 1163; the first synagogue was built there. Jews among merchants and traders in the 8th century is well founded with; for instance; documents in Hebrew and Hebrew script from Dunhuang and Kotan. This book is an important contribution to Silk Road studies and Jewish history. It helps fill in some of the blanks between Roman Judea and the Renaissance; when Marco Polo observed Jews in his Chinese travels.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Fascinating!By Scott H. IrvingIn many ways; this is a dry subject; but with gold nuggets waiting to be found. Particularly; the revelations about the city of BianJing; later called Kaifeng. Chinese record its great prosperity and very detailed descriptions of everything that went on in the city; throughout its history. It rose; it prospered and it decayed and was left for "dead." The follies of mercantile evolution and its escalation of greed and eventual collapse. It is also dry accounts of Jewish traders; among many foreign traders. Jews did establish a long standing presence in Kaifeng; but they too; eventually got caught up on the luxury of business and trade going on there; and married Chinese women and lost their identity; sort of. This book aids Menzies' 1434 book and his 1421 book on China and its exploits; a most remarkable empire. and not less so; the Jews; a remarkable people and legacy. You might read Kritzler's "Jewish Pirates of the Caribbean as well. While the evidence of Jewish presence might seem dull; there is history to be gleaned; but the history of Kaifeng and its cycle of growth and decay; alone; is worth the price of this book. Its like striking a gold mine. China really was a super power in her day and now rises again in our day. We should have expected nothing less. I tip my hat to her.3 of 3 people found the following review helpful. Seemed So InterestingBy MSE fanaticWhen I first read the title I thought this would be such an amazing book to read. It is indeed very interesting just not easy to read. The text seems to be a collection of articles written buy scholars throughout China and the US and is hard to follow for anyone not familiar with this topic. I won't discourage anyone from buying this text just beware to sit down with pen and paper to make notes.
