There may in fact be merit to this theory, as there is identifiable Christian influence in some of the written versions of the myths that have come down to us (especially in Snorri's Edda), but he makes his case in a few sentences and quickly dismisses the traditional interpretations of the myth, even adding a snarky comment to the end of his rendition of Ragnarok that anyone who believes in the rebirth of the world doesn't understand what has gone before.Ģ) The author is condescending.

The other (b) is his theory that the idea of Norse Cyclical Time (ie, that the world renews after Ragnarok) is a late Christian influenced addition.

While this is a valid theory, he doesn't spend nearly enough time discussing why he came to this conclusion or presenting the opposing viewpoint that they are two separate figures. The two cases that leap to mind are (a) his theory (Which I personally agree with) that the goddesses Frigg and Freyja were originally the same figure. However, there are some pretty substantial flaws in the book that a potential reader should be aware of:ġ) The author presents his own theories about Norse Mythology as almost undisputed fact. He also includes many footnotes and a large bibliography if one is inclined to read deeper about these topics. It is written in a fairly accessible style and contains a plethora of information and retells many of the best known tales from Norse Mythology.

This book is intended as a introduction to Norse/Viking Mythology and culture for the layman. With its inclusion of the latest groundbreaking research in the field, The Viking Spirit is the ultimate introduction to the timeless splendor of Norse mythology and religion for the 21st Century. You’ll learn about the Vikings’ gods and goddesses, their concept of fate, their views on the afterlife, their moral code, how they thought the universe was structured, how they practiced their religion, the role that magic played in their lives, and much more. It includes gripping retellings of no less than 34 epic Norse myths – more than any other book in the field – while also providing an equally comprehensive overview of the fascinating Viking religion of which Norse mythology was a part. As you’d expect from Daniel McCoy, the creator of the enduringly popular website Norse Mythology for Smart People, it’s written to scholarly standards, but in a simple, clear, and entertaining style that’s easy to understand and a pleasure to read. The Viking Spirit is an introduction to Norse mythology like no other.

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