definitely an interesting collection; most are of excerpts. had a good balance of the typical ragin' vikings fare (mostly battle scenes) and some surprisingly eloquent ballad selections. "the wanderer" is amazing: "... War took off some, / carried them on their course hence; one a bird bore / over the high sea; one the hoar wolf / dealt to death; one his drear-cheeked / earl stretched in an earthen trench.") a lot of variety, including some entertaining riddles, and really captures the feel of the old english in modern english. also has great introductions to each selection. recommended.

Glad to get this one. Thanks a bunch!

CMB

It's taken a while for me to get through this one. I picked it up once and then it got lost under the couch for a long time. But once I found it again, I started back at the beginning. Such a great book! I loved the the vigorous language in here. I always thought I didn't like poetry. My problem is that I'm reading stuff that's 1000 years too late!

My complaints are minor--I wanted to read all of Beowulf, not just excerpts, and if they had to include only part of the poem, why not the fight with Grendel? Or the dragon? Like spacedog, I think "Wanderer" is my favorite, although I loved "The Battle of Maldon" and "Seafarer." I plan on hanging on to this for a while. It's one I want to reread.

CMB