Description
By Abbie Farwell Brown. Enter the wild and heroic world of the ancient North, where gods battle giants, mighty warriors seek glory, and the fate of the cosmos hangs in the balance.
In In the Days of Giants: A Book of Norse Tales, author Abbie Farwell Brown retells the great legends of Norse mythology in a lively and accessible style specially crafted for younger readers. Drawing upon the ancient Scandinavian sagas and myths preserved in medieval Icelandic literature, this classic collection introduces readers to the dramatic and mysterious world of the Viking imagination.
Within these pages readers encounter the mighty Thor with his thunderous hammer, the wise and enigmatic Odin, the mischievous Loki, and the fearsome frost giants who threaten gods and men alike. The stories recount magical adventures, epic battles, heroic journeys, enchanted treasures, and the looming doom of Ragnarök, the final struggle that will bring about the end of the gods themselves.
Brown’s storytelling captures the grandeur, mystery, and rugged spirit of the original Norse myths while presenting them in language that remains clear and engaging for modern readers. Themes of courage, loyalty, destiny, sacrifice, and the struggle against overwhelming odds run throughout the tales, introducing readers to one of the world’s great mythological traditions.
More than a collection of legends, In the Days of Giants opens a gateway into the beliefs, imagination, and heroic ideals of the Viking Age. Its stories continue to inspire modern fantasy literature, mythology studies, and popular culture across the world.
This carefully restored reprint revives a beloved classic of mythological storytelling for new generations. Ideal for students, families, lovers of Norse mythology, and readers fascinated by Viking legend and epic adventure, it remains a timeless journey into the legendary world of the ancient North.
“This book is made of the stories told by the Northern folk,—the people who live in the land of the midnight sun, where summer is green and pleasant, but winter is a terrible time of cold and gloom; where rocky mountains tower like huge giants, over whose heads the thunder rolls and crashes, and under whose feet are mines of precious metals. Therefore you will find the tales full of giants and dwarfs,—spirits of the cold mountains and dark caverns.”
About the author: Abbie Farwell Brown (1871–1927) was an American author who wrote over half a dozen works of mythology and poetry for adults and children. She also wrote the famous On the Trail song which became the official song of the Girl Scouts of the USA. She also edited the 20-volume “Young Folks Library” and was president of the New England Poetry Club before her untimely death at the age of 55 from cancer.
Contents
The Beginning of Things
How Odin Lost His Eye
Kvasir’s Blood
The Giant Builder
The Magic Apples
Skadi’s Choice
The Dwarf’s Gifts
Loki’s Children
The Quest of the Hammer
The Giantess Who Would Not
Thor’s Visit to the Giants
Thor’s Fishing
Thor’s Duel
In the Giant’s House
Balder and the Mistletoe
The Punishment of Loki
