Walhall: Germanische Goetter- und Heldensagen (German Edition)

In this review of Walhall: Germanische Goetter- und Heldensagen the reviewer finds a carefully edited reprint that will appeal to readers seeking a historic, literary compilation of Norse myths and Germanic heroic legends. The book collects the work of Therese and Felix Dahn in a single volume, and the single biggest reason to buy is its thoughtful combination of mythological overview and narrative retellings drawn from the 1891 eleventh edition; this makes it a useful reference for readers interested in traditional philology, comparative myth, or late 19th century German literary presentation.

Key Features

• Comprehensive selection: The volume assembles both the principal gods and the main heroic sagas, giving readers a broad view of Germanic myth and legend in one place.
• Dual authorship: Felix Dahn provides the introductory sketches of the gods and the mythic worldview while Therese Dahn presents the best-known hero tales, offering complementary perspectives.
• Illustrated edition: Numerous illustrations accompany the text, which helps readers visualise characters and scenes from the sagas and enhances study and leisure reading alike.
• Historic reprint: This is a faithful reprint of the eleventh, unchanged 1891 edition, valuable to those who want a period presentation rather than a modernised retelling.
• Range of subjects: Coverage spans from Odin, Freya and Loki to Nornen and Walkuren and includes the Wolsungen, Beowulf and the Nibelungen cycle, useful for comparative literature work.

Who It's For

This volume is best for readers of German literature and students of myth who appreciate primary-style retellings and period scholarship. It suits collectors of classic reprints, readers fluent in German, and anyone researching 19th century interpretations of Norse and Germanic narratives.

Those who should look elsewhere include readers seeking a modernised translation, annotated critical apparatus in contemporary scholarship, or an illustrated childrens edition with simplified text; the faithful 1891 presentation keeps the original language and style intact rather than adapting for modern casual readers.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Broad, combined treatment of gods and heroes in one volume, making it a convenient reference.
• Authored by both Felix and Therese Dahn, giving historical context and narrative retellings from two perspectives.
• Illustrations throughout add visual context and complement the textual material.

Cons

• The language and edition are historic (eleventh, 1891), so readers expecting modernised prose or contemporary commentary may find it dated.

Specifications

Title	Walhall: Germanische Goetter- und Heldensagen
Edition	Nachdruck der elften, unveranderten Auflage
Original publication year	1891
Authors	Therese Dahn und Felix Dahn
Language	German (German Edition)
Content	Myth sketches, character portraits, and hero sagas with illustrations

Our Verdict

Walhall is a solid choice for readers and researchers who want a historically faithful compilation of Germanic gods and hero sagas presented in the style of the late 19th century. Its combined authorship, illustrative content, and status as an unchanged 1891 reprint make it good value for collectors, Germanists, and comparative literature students who prefer source-faithful editions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this the original 1891 text?
Yes, this edition is a reprint of the eleventh, unchanged 1891 edition, preserving the original wording and presentation.

What languages are used in the book?
The book is published in German and presents the material in its original German edition format.

Does it include illustrations?
Yes, the volume is illustrated with numerous figures that accompany the myth and saga texts.