Neil Gaiman; long inspired by ancient mythology in creating the fantastical realms of his fiction; presents a bravura rendition of the Norse gods and their world from their origin though their upheaval in Ragnarok. In Norse Mythology; Gaiman stays true to the myths in envisioning the major Norse pantheon: Odin; the highest of the high; wise; daring; and cunning; Thor; Odins son; incredibly strong yet not the wisest of gods; and Loki-son of a giant-blood brother to Odin and a trickster and unsurpassable manipulator. Gaiman fashions these primeval stories into a novelistic arc that begins with the genesis of the legendary nine worlds and delves into the exploits of deities; dwarfs; and giants. Through Gaimans deft and witty prose; these gods emerge with their fiercely competitive natures; their susceptibility to being duped and to duping others; and their tendency to let passion ignite their actions; making these long-ago myths breathe pungent life again.