Utter Trash.Avoid this title.

This is NOT a Norse mythology reference book.

Let's start off by saying that this book didn't really get into Norse mythology until a few chapters in. It starts by outlining some Scandinavian, Viking age history. This, in itself, isn't a problem. The problem is that the author is a conspiracy kook. The author posits that stories of dragons are inspired by the "more plausible" idea of ancient airships. It is suggested that stories of the severed talking head of a god actually refer to an ancient computer, misinterpreted by foolish barbarians, and that stories of dwarves are really describing technologically advanced Atlanteans. Furthermore, the author consistently uses the book as a platform to push an agenda denying the severity/reality of the threat of climate change (which just doesn't have anything to do with Norse mythology).

I cannot stress enough, this book is not a reliable reference source. Clayton cites nosources for some of his more outrageous claims. If you're looking for Viking era history, listen to the Great Courses. If you want Norse Mythology, give Neil Gaiman's book a shot. Avoid this title.

13 people found this helpful

Really?

Quite bogged down in bullshit, to be perfectly honest. The pseudoscience gets annoying quick. Not a good book at all. Complete waste of a credit.

5 people found this helpful

Misleading Title

The title claims that this is a guide to Norse mythology but it's mostly a history of the Norwegian people of the viking era with ridiculous speculation like long lost flying technology thrown in.

1 person found this helpful

Shallow and Silly

Would you try another book from Matt Clayton and/or JD Kelly?

The first chapter includes attacks on 'corporate media masters' because of fear of climate change. *Checks the title* Yup, in a book called 'Norse Mythology'. Later chapters take shots on 'modern generations', and suggests that dragons were inspired by high-tech flying ships...for some reason. Don't ask me to figure out how that is supposed to work, even if there were high-tech flying ships (I should really note here, and spoiler warning: THERE WEREN'T), why that would inspire the look of dragons is a dot less connected than a Tinder dudebro. No, because not only is the writing poorly laid out, it is also too shallow for even an overview on any of the topics it does attempt to address. Much more importantly, the author interjects flatly wrong information on climate, straw mans media claims (why are either of those even IN there?), advances truly merit-less speculation on dragons as symbols and flying ships coming from high-tech Atlantis... The idea that the talking head was a comm device...The 'mythology' that most influences this author is not Norse, but modern conspiracy theory mythology.

Would you ever listen to anything by Matt Clayton again?

No, because their reasoning is lacking and their exploration of the actual topic far too shallow. Seriously, when the evidence of past temperature includes other robust sources, it is in NO way reasonable to conclude that modern science must be wrong based on a story of where grapes grew. It is much more reasonable to question the location of the grapes, or if they were even grapes than to suggest it was ten (10!) degrees warmer at the time. Again, based on a STORY of how far north GRAPES GREW.

Would you listen to another book narrated by JD Kelly?

The narration was fine.

You didn’t love this book... but did it have any redeeming qualities?

It does retell some stories, only the best known and not even all of those. It does lay out the realms, but leaves out a lot of the basics and the differing sources having different ideas of these stories. Go watch Extra History instead.

Any additional comments?

Pass up this CT nonsense when there are free youtube history videos that are shorter, yet much more comprehensive and better laid out.

1 person found this helpful

Has a number of flaws

As good as it was as a general overview of Norse history and belief, there are a number of details that are incorrect.
Would only suggest as a general overview, and nothing more.

Great stories with odd agenda

The stories presented were thoroughly entertaining. However the author seemed keen on repeating the fact that global warming and cooling was normal and made references to modern media overreacting for their own agendas. The opinion was repeated often and marred the pleasure of hearing these Nordic tales.

final words

I loved the final words and thoughts of the author, encouraging readers to continue their study with the wide range of sources available.

Full of useful content.

A small encyclopedia of Norse mythology. The beginning sections are a nice overview of Norse history and beliefs.

good for every Norse pagan

I loved every minute of it. it was very easy to understand and the tales were very exciting

great book

It was a great book I liked how informative it is and will enjoy it time and time again!