The Poetic Edda cover art

The Poetic Edda

Stories of the Norse Gods and Heroes

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The Poetic Edda

By: Jackson Crawford
Narrated by: Jackson Crawford
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About this listen

"The poems of the Poetic Edda have waited a long time for a Modern English translation that would do them justice. Here it is at last (Odin be praised!) and well worth the wait. These amazing texts from a thirteenth-century Icelandic manuscript are of huge historical, mythological, and literary importance, containing the lion's share of information that survives today about the gods and heroes of pre-Christian Scandinavians, their unique vision of the beginning and end of the world, etc.

"Jackson Crawford's modern versions of these poems are authoritative and fluent and often very gripping. With their individual headnotes and complementary general introduction, they supply today's readers with most of what they need to know in order to understand and appreciate the beliefs, motivations, and values of the Vikings." (Dick Ringler, professor emeritus of English and Scandinavian studies at the University of Wisconsin-Madison)

©2015 Hackett Publishing Company, Inc. (P)2018 Blackstone Audio, Inc. Ancient, Classical & Medieval Literature Europe European Literary History & Criticism Poetry Themes & Styles World Literature Scandinavia Icelandic Sagas

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All stars
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Jackson really knows his stuff and has made it very accessible. His reading is great and his explanations great too.

A fantastic book

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Brilliant translation, writing and narration. I’ve read and listened to a few and this one stands out as the best for me.

Brilliant

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Love it, a great reading voice and a relatable translation. highly recommend. the ending chapter, Cowboy's Hávamál, Dr Crawford's translation of the Hávamál inspired by his grandfather is particularly touching.

As expected from Jackson Crawford

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I think you'd be hard-pressed to find a better translation or reading of the Poetic Edda. While Dr Crawford's translation is already a scholarly, poetic, and yet accessible rendering of this famous but often misunderstood text, to hear him read it aloud is invaluable. I would not be without this book, if you are at all interested in the Viking Age and its history and folklore. To my mind this is now the definitive translation and performance of the Poetic Edda.

as good as it gets

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All the tales that come about through Norse mythologies start here with these poems. They’ve done there best to explain the readings and translations. I enjoyed it.

Adventure into Norse mythology

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I thought the translations, intros and summaries were very good and helpful. Very nice.

I do however struggle with the pronunciation of the chapters and names.

The other thing that I don't get is the last chapter of this as read by a western American dialect reiterating the same things from earlier in the book. It seems somewhat out of context and superfluous.

Good translation & summaries. Rough pronunciations

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The narrator fit the atmosphere perfectly and of course Norse Mythology is very interesting.

Thoroughly Enjoyed!

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Great performance and excellent in-depth of explanation and contextualisation of each poem. Cowboy Havamal was a lovely addition. Allowed me to more easily relate tp the advice given.

The Poetic Edda comes alive

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I love Jackson’s knowledge on all things Norse but I’d have much preferred this read by someone else, he reads in a very monotonous tone and it may put people off, everyone should read it at least once though, especially Norse pagans! It’s full of great advice that’s relevant even today and Jackson always translates things in a way that people nowadays can understand them and relate them to their lives now too, great book though, I would 100% recommend! I’ve already read it twice and will read it many more times again!

Everyone should read it at least once!

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I’ve enjoyed this adaptation of the Poetic Edda and the commentary was very useful. At some points hilarious and thought provoking and melancholic in others , this book will entertain you, teach you a thing or two about life and make you think about our destiny and place in this world. I’ve also enjoyed the little bonus at the end and if you’re a fan of Crawford, I bet you’ll enjoy it too!

Good translation with helpful commentary and a little bonus.

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