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Thor: The Origins, History and Evolution of the Norse God
*Includes pictures of important places and historic illustrations and art depicting Thor and other important Norse figures.
*Explains the historical origins of the god, the mythological tales about him, and the literary evolution of Thor.
*Includes a Bibliography for further reading.
“Across the rainbow bridge of Asgard, Where the Booming Heavens Roar, You'll behold in breathless wonder, the God of Thunder, Mighty Thor!” - Theme Song from the television show Mighty Thor (1966)
“In swelling rage | then rose up Thor,-- Seldom he sits | when he such things hears,-- And the oaths were broken, | the words and bonds, The mighty pledges | between them made.” - Voluspa Line #26 from the Poetic Edda
A hammer no mortal can lift. A flame-haired fiery storm god. A comic book alien-hero-god who defends humanity. The swastika. Even the name "Thursday" ("Thor's Day"). Despite the virtual disappearance of the indigenous Norse religion and mythology several centuries ago, modern society still regularly encounters the storm god Thor, who continues to be brought back to life in the form of literature and was recently the protagonist in a big-budget Hollywood movie. What is it about this god, out of the hundreds (if not thousands) of deities that were consigned to the dustbin of history by the world’s major religions, that so captures people’s imaginations today?
A better understanding of Thor’s appeal can be found in just about every aspect of the history and evolution of the figure over the centuries, including the origins of the god, the evocative imagery used to describe him, and even the parallels between Thor and similar gods and heroes. All of this has been buffeted by literature, such as the stories about Thor found in the Prose Edda and the Poetic Edda, and the connection societies have had with Thor for hundreds of years, even up until today. This work also examines the decline and displacement of Norse mythology by Christianity, the reasons why Thor was often the last god worshiped by the Norse, and today’s remnants of Thorism, including his parallels in other faiths, his role in revived Neo-Heathenism and his appearance in other media as a hero in comics and films. Along with pictures and a bibliography, you will learn about Thor like you never have before, in no time at all.
*Explains the historical origins of the god, the mythological tales about him, and the literary evolution of Thor.
*Includes a Bibliography for further reading.
“Across the rainbow bridge of Asgard, Where the Booming Heavens Roar, You'll behold in breathless wonder, the God of Thunder, Mighty Thor!” - Theme Song from the television show Mighty Thor (1966)
“In swelling rage | then rose up Thor,-- Seldom he sits | when he such things hears,-- And the oaths were broken, | the words and bonds, The mighty pledges | between them made.” - Voluspa Line #26 from the Poetic Edda
A hammer no mortal can lift. A flame-haired fiery storm god. A comic book alien-hero-god who defends humanity. The swastika. Even the name "Thursday" ("Thor's Day"). Despite the virtual disappearance of the indigenous Norse religion and mythology several centuries ago, modern society still regularly encounters the storm god Thor, who continues to be brought back to life in the form of literature and was recently the protagonist in a big-budget Hollywood movie. What is it about this god, out of the hundreds (if not thousands) of deities that were consigned to the dustbin of history by the world’s major religions, that so captures people’s imaginations today?
A better understanding of Thor’s appeal can be found in just about every aspect of the history and evolution of the figure over the centuries, including the origins of the god, the evocative imagery used to describe him, and even the parallels between Thor and similar gods and heroes. All of this has been buffeted by literature, such as the stories about Thor found in the Prose Edda and the Poetic Edda, and the connection societies have had with Thor for hundreds of years, even up until today. This work also examines the decline and displacement of Norse mythology by Christianity, the reasons why Thor was often the last god worshiped by the Norse, and today’s remnants of Thorism, including his parallels in other faiths, his role in revived Neo-Heathenism and his appearance in other media as a hero in comics and films. Along with pictures and a bibliography, you will learn about Thor like you never have before, in no time at all.
44 pages, Paperback
First published May 21, 2013
22 people are currently reading
67 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
September 15, 2015
Yes i finished in one day...but then it is a very slim though informative little book.
Read it if you are a mythology buff, a Thor buff, a religious history buff...or would just like to know a little bit more than you do on the subject, without taking a college course.
Read it if you are a mythology buff, a Thor buff, a religious history buff...or would just like to know a little bit more than you do on the subject, without taking a college course.
June 11, 2017
In recounting the mythology of the Norse Thor, a really interesting study of comparative European pre Christian mythology and worship is done in this thesis. The whole of the Norse gods are recounted in context, but it is the comparison between others e.g. Germanic, that really helped me with questions I have had after reading series like Harry Dresden and also the Iron Druid. The writing is neither dry nor boring, and I enjoyed learning from it.
The narrator performed very well!
The narrator performed very well!
June 18, 2019
Good read
This book is well written and researched. The sources are well labeled so people can check them. I recommend this for curious people and beginner pagans.
This book is well written and researched. The sources are well labeled so people can check them. I recommend this for curious people and beginner pagans.
March 31, 2022
Watching marvel movies with my family got me interested in learning more about the history of Thor. This has some very good research and evidence of the history/mythology.
September 1, 2017
Had originally given three stars but dropped to two after reading the text on Odin, which had word for word copies of text related to generalities regarding Norse mythology.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews