The Vinland Sagas The Norse Discovery: Graenlendinga Saga & Erik's Saga

Description

Both a record of a fascinating bit of history, and a rich and exciting piece of literature.

The two medieval lcelandic sagas translated in this volume tell one of the most arresting stories in the history of exploration ? the discovery of America by Norsemen five centuries before Christopher Columbus. In spare and vigorous prose they record Europe?s first surprised glimpse of the eastern shores of the North American continent and the Red lndian natives who inhabited them. The Sagas describe how Eirik the Red founded an Icelandic colony in Greenland and how his son, Leif the Lucky, later sailed south to explore and if possible exploit the chance discovery by Bjarni Herjolfsson of an unknown land.

Magnus Magnusson - Translator
Hermann Palsson - Translator

Author description

Magnus Magnusson is an Icelander who has been resident in Scotland for most of his life, and is well-known for his presentation of the BBC's Mastermind. He is also chairman of the Scottish National Heritage. He studied English and Old Icelandic at Oxford University. Hermann Palsson studied Icelandic at the University of Iceland and Celtic at University College, Dublin. Formerly Professor of Icelandic at the University of Edinburgh and General Editor of the New Saga Library, he has written many books on the history and literature of medieval Iceland. He died in 2003. Magnus Magnusson is an Icelander who has been resident in Scotland for most of his life, and is well-known for his presentation of the BBC's Mastermind. He is also chairman of the Scottish National Heritage. He studied English and Old Icelandic at Oxford University. Hermann Palsson studied Icelandic at the University of Iceland and Celtic at University College, Dublin. Formerly Professor of Icelandic at the University of Edinburgh and General Editor of the New Saga Library, he has written many books on the history and literature of medieval Iceland. He died in 2003.