The Norse Discovery of America
Arthur Middleton Reeves, North Ludlow Beamish and Rasmus
Paperback
(Forgotten Books, Jan. 5, 2008)
Book Description: "This is a collection of texts relating to the voyages of the Norse west to America. A thousand years ago, nearly half a millennium before Columbus, the Norse extended their explorations from Iceland and Greenland to the shores of Northeastern North America, and, possibly, beyond.This volume from the Norroena collection contains all known sagas and documentary fragments which relate to this legendary exploration. It also contains analysis of the texts which should be read with a critical eye. While it is now certain that the Norse reached Nova Scotia, the claims in this book that they reached as far south as Boston--not to mention Georgia or South Carolina--are still controversial. There is also tangential discussion of whether the Irish managed to get to America prior to the Norse, an even more contentious assertion.Regardless, the texts in this three-part volume open up a window into a vivid era, and give glimpses of religion, society and travel in the period when the Norse were actively exploring the North Atlantic. They contain one of the only detailed descriptions of a pagan women's divination ritual, and deal with the expansion of Christianity from both sides. There are bone-chilling stories of disease, murder and jealousy in the small communities on the leading edge of Viking colonization. Reading these sagas inspires deep understanding of the life and motivations of the Scandinavian sea rovers and respect for their accomplishments in the field of exploration." (Quote from sacred-texts.com)Table of Contents: Publisher's Preface; Preface; Introduction; Arguments And Proofs That Support The Claim Of Norse Discovery Of America; Early Fragmentary References To Wineland; The Saga Of Eric The Red; The Wineland History Of The Flatey Book; A Brief History Of Eric The Red; Wineland In The Icelandic Annals; Notices Of Doubtful Value; Fictions; The Publication Of The Discovery; Notes; Icelandic Records; Arguments And Evidences Respecting The Wineland Discovery; Introduction To A Study Of Icelandic Records; Second Period; Third Period; Last Period; Saga Of Erik The Red; Voyage Of Leif Erikson; Saga Of Thorfinn Karlsefne; Voyage Of Freydis, Helgi And Finnbogi; Geographical Notices In Ancient Icelandic Mss; Monuments And Inscriptions; Minor Narratives; Voyage Of Gudleif Gudlaugson To Great Ireland; The Norsemen In America; Norumbega; Norse Voyages In The Tenth And Following Centuries; Columbus And The Norsemen; Discovery Of America By The Irish; EndnotesAbout the Publisher: Forgotten Books is a publisher of historical writings, such as: Philosophy, Classics, Science, Religion, Esoteric and Mythology. www.forgottenbooks.orgForgotten Books is about sharing information, not about making money. All books are priced at wholesale prices. We are also the only publisher we know of to print in large sans-serif font, which is proven to make the text easier to read and put less strain on your eyes.