The Sagas of the Icelanders (World of the Sagas) (Rough Cut))

A fantastic read. Accessible and intriguing for lovers of the Norse sagas and newcomers alike. Beautifully presented.

The Icelandic Sagas are among the great literary treasures of mankind. They are also a joy to read. Strongly recommended!

An excellent way to explore a cross-section of Icelandic sagas in an accessible translation and with helpful explanatory notes. I definitely recommend this collection. Sagas include: the Sagas of...Egil, ...the people of Vatnsdal, ...the people of Laxardal, ...Hrafnkel Frey's Godi, ...the Confederates, ...Gisli Surrson, ...Gunnlaug Serpent-tongue, ...Ref the Sly, ...the Greenlanders, ...Eric the Red, Bolli Bollason'sTale, and the short Tales of...Thorstein Staff-struck, ...Halldor Snorrason II, ...Sarcastic Halli, ...Thorstein Shiver, ...Audon from the West Fjords, ...the Story-wise Icelander. There is also a useful reference section looking at Ships, The Farm and Social and Political Structure. Useful maps and 'family trees' help in getting a grasp of geographical and family contexts. A Glossary and Index of Characters complete the book. While not all the sagas are included due to length (eg it does not - understandably - include the long Saga of Njal) this is a wide-ranging selection and would be interesting for any general reader interested in the Icelandic sagas and very useful for undergraduates studying Icelandic/Scandinavian literature and culture. The translations are authoritative but very readable.

I bought the Kindle edition to take on holiday to Iceland, intending to dip into the sagas in the locations where they belong. However. The Kindle contents page does not give any detail - after the preface and introducing, it offers you SAGAS (location 968) and then TALES (location 13939). This is a book with well over 800 pages, and there is no index. Why on earth were the contents pages of the print edition not included? I've given it 4 stars because it's a really good book, well written and with lots of interesting background. But I wish I'd bought the paperback.

I was attracted to this book on the basis of a recent TV programme outlining the background to the oral recording and later writing of these tales. For anyone with even a vague interest this book is an ideal introduction to the sagas with a detailed academic introduction outlining the way they came to be recorded and also providing a glossery explaining terminology used in the text. The reader is introduced to timeless local disagreements and the early development of Iceland. In addition many of the sagas included give an indication of the frequent and arduous journeys taken between various parts of the territories under Viking control over a millenium ago. Also included are two of the Vinland sagas covering the discovery and exploration of North America some 400-500 years before Columbus. The book is a rewarding read and an introduction to an aspect of greater European exploration and development which is often overlooked. It would be excellent value at a multiple of the cost.

As "Burial Rites" was said to have similar themes I read the Laxdaela Saga in a single edition and having enjoyed that turned to the Jane Smiley collection of the most important sagas. The specially commissioned translations worked very well and I was fascinated by the tales and found myself immersed in the lives of the protagonists. There is a helpful introduction to each saga, giving the background to its writing and sometimes to the relevance of the period in Icelandic history in which it was first told. I found the general introduction very interesting and informative too as I did the maps and family trees. Having been twice to Iceland helped me visualise the landscapes and the settings for the tales but i don't think that is necessary to enjoy them. Njal's Saga is a major piece of work and very affecting but there are some shorter and lighter tales near the end of the book. I found a joke told in one that I was still telling in school 1,000 years later!

Personally I don't like the deckle edge. Looks like someone hacked away at it. Otherwise a lovely looking book. Now need to find a few months to shoot and read it

Contains many sagas and tales as well as background material. Well written and a good translation, as far as I could tell. Very accessible for a beginner like me. Its a big book but font is a good size, so easy reading. Comprehenive introduction to northern europes earliest literature. I bought as course reading but I will certainly go back to it for sagas I have not needed to read yet. Enjoyable.

The price of the book is worth it for the first three sagas alone. Egil's Saga, Vatnsdal Saga, and Laxardal Saga will keep you flipping the pages all day long. You will find that there are names upon names upon names upon names in these stories. Once you start to figure out that you can ignore 90% of the names in these books and just pay attention to what characters are being focused on in the chapters, the stories become much more enjoyable. There is plenty of drama, violence, magic, treachery, and heroism in these stories. I've also read Njal's Saga and Grettir's Saga. I would recommend buying those two purchases as well. How these stories haven't been turned into TV series is beyond me. Could you imagine a season based on each of these sagas? It'd be incredible. Unfortunately Hollywood would screw them up somehow. Buy this.

After visiting Iceland the sagas provide a fascinating insight into the lives and travels undertaken by the early inhabitants.

Saw this book in Iceland. Too heavy for our luggage. Located the same book on Amazon. The book arrived a few days after we returned home…

I have just received my book. Ten minutes ago. The edges pages are uncut, making it an ugly looking book and difficult to read. Having worked in a book printer's I'm astonished that an article in this state made it to sale, normally they are thrown away and recycled when like this.

A good selection of sagas.