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"The Saga of the Volsungs" is one of the truly great Icelandic sagas. Composed sometime in the twelfth or thirteenth century by an unknown author, it is the story of Sigurd the dragon-slayer. Filled with elements of Norse mythology and great human drama, «The Saga of the Volsungs» has greatly influenced the fantasy genre of literature. Presented in this volume is the translation of Eiríkr Magnússon and William Morris.

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Considered one the four canonical texts of the Hindu religion, known collectively as «The Vedas», «The Rig Veda» is one of the most important works of Hindu scripture. The work is a collection of poems, sayings, prayers and origin myths. Written sometime between 1700-1100 BCE, «The Rig Veda» is one of the oldest works of the Indo-European languages. The hymns included in the collection are dedicated to various deities in Hindu mythology, including Vishnu, Rudra, Indra, Soma, and Surya. Many Hindu priests and philosophers have revived and re-interpreted the poems contained in «The Rig Veda» for use in their modern religious practices. This text is an excellent introduction for English-speakers into the Hindu mythology and religion. Amongst the tales readers will find moral allegory and ethical guidelines common to Western religion and philosophy. «The Rig Veda» is a must read for anyone interested in Eastern history, religion, and mythology.

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Literary scholar, professor, and poet J. Lesslie Hall is best known for his 1897 translation of the Old English epic poem «Beowulf.» The famous plot focuses on the titular character of Beowulf, a Scandinavian hero who comes to the aid of the Danes to save their land from a human-demon monster named Grendel. After defeating Grendel, Beowulf must then kill Grendel's mother. He returns to Scandinavia with more fame and accord and eventually becomes king. Then fifty years later, a dragon attacks his kingdom, and the hero must fight once again to defend his title and his honor. What makes «Beowulf» a lasting classic is its depiction of the Norse traditions and culture. The people have strong connections inherent within a kinship society; if someone was killed, it was the family's duty to exact justice or receive payment for the death. "Beowulf "also shows an interesting dichotomy between the Norse pagan religion of when the story is set paired with the monotheistic Christian storytellers. Many scholars debate the epic poem's true stance on religion, but the tale gives an accurate depiction of how paganism deteriorated as monotheism flourished. Regardless of the reader's intent, though, Lesslie Hall's translation of «Beowulf» is a must-read for anyone interested in classic Anglo-Saxon literature.

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The medieval morality play, which became popular in Europe during the 15th and 16th century, is a allegorical drama in which personal attributes are personified and the moral of choosing good over evil is generally conveyed. In this volume you will find one of the most famous examples of this genre in the play «Everyman» along with the following other plays: «The Deluge», «Abraham, Melchisedec, And Isaac», «The Wakefield Second Shepherds' Play», «The Coventry Nativity Play», «The Wakefield Miracle-Play Of The Crucifixion», «The Cornish Mystery-Play Of The Three Maries», «The Mystery Of Mary Magdalene And The Apostles», «The Wakefield Pageant Of The Harrowing Of Hell», and «God's Promises.»

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"To you who read, I speak. To you, who, through long years and much running to and fro, have been eagerly seeking, in books and teachings, in philosophy and religion, for you know not what—Truth, Happiness, Freedom, God. To you whose Soul is weary and discouraged and almost destitute of hope."—So begins this short inspirational work. «Impersonal Life» is a classic of Christian literature, which aims to bring the reader closer to God.

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For students of Buddhism «The Dhammapada» is a must-read. This historic collection gathers various words spoken by the leader and founder of Buddhism. Each of the phrases in verse form coincides with a specific event that happened in Buddha's life, and he offers words of wisdom to shed light on these situations. This text is a staple in the Buddhist religion and is widely known as one of the most famous books in Eastern culture. Even though the thoughts of Buddha are his spoken word in written form, it is important for readers to remember that Buddha wanted all his philosophies to be open to interpretation and debate. With his verses, Buddha offers his own belief system for the world to analyze. For those who want to accept these words, they often find that «The Dhammapada» is an inspiration to change their lives. However, people from all different religions and creeds can find wisdom through Buddha's sayings; he looked at morality with a passive eye and willed his followers to treat everyone with the utmost respect. These and other beliefs can be found in «The Dhammapada,» which will be an interesting read for anyone wishing to challenge or expand their own thoughts and beliefs.

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Thought to have been first written down in the 12th century by an author who is still unknown, “The Nibelungenlied”, translated from Middle High German as “The Song of the Nibelungs”, is an epic German poem reflecting the oral tradition, heroic motifs, and actual events and individuals from the 5th and 6th centuries. This remarkable work begins with an assurance of both joy and sorrow, though ultimately tragedy reins in “The Nibelungenlied”. The early chapters recount the young life of Siegfried, a great Netherlands prince, who slew a dragon and bathed in its blood while still young, giving him extraordinary strength. He goes on to meet the lovely princess Kriemhild, whose brother Gunther requires his help to marry the strong Icelandic Queen Brünhild in exchange for his sister’s hand. All is well until Brünhild discovers the deception of Gunther and Siegfried, and her successful plot to murder the latter incites bloody revenge from Kriemhild. From the court of the Burgundians to the court of Etzel, from terrible deaths to hidden treasure, “The Nibelungenlied” is a masterful illumination of German antiquity and dramatic legend. Often and justly compared to “The Iliad” of the Greeks, this skillful epic poem has inspired artists throughout the centuries, most notably Richard Wagner in his opera cycle ‘The Ring’, and will doubtlessly continue to inspire readers in the centuries to come.

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“The Tain”, also known as “Tain Bo Cuailnge” or “The Cattle Raid of Cooley”, is a heroic and legendary tale from early Irish literature. Earliest manuscripts of this epic story survive from the 12th century and versions of this ancient tale have been found in Old Irish, Middle Irish, and Modern Irish translations. “The Tain” is set in a pre-Christian age of heroes in Ireland, sometime around the first century, and is the central tale in the Ulster Cycle, one of the four great cycles of Irish mythology. It is the thrilling saga of the young hero Cuchulain and his single-handed defeat of the invading armies of Medb and Ailill, who have come to try and steal Donn Cuailnge, the Brown Bull of Cooley. It is also the tale of the rivalry and discord between King Ailill and his wife and competitor Queen Medb. It is the competition for greatness between husband and wife that inspires her relentless quest to steal the famed bull from Ulster. “The Tain” has everything that a reader may expect from legendary epic tales: impossible tasks, bloody battles, inspiring acts of heroism and strength, treachery, betrayal, love, and magic. Presented here is the translation of Joseph Dunn.

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Written in Middle English sometime in the latter half of the 14th century, “The Cloud of Unknowing” is an anonymous work of Christian Mysticism. Surviving to us in only seventeen known manuscripts, “The Cloud of Unknowing” is meant as a spiritual guide of contemplation upon God. The work advises not to seek a better understanding of God through knowledge and intellect, but rather to surrender oneself to the darkness of the realm of the “unknowing”. It is here, where by the abandonment of consideration of the particular attributes of God, which it is argued cannot truly be known to man, is replaced with intense contemplation that may lead to an understanding of the true nature of God. Presented here is the translation into modern English by Evelyn Underhill first published in 1922. Evelyn Underhill, as one of the leading authorities on Christian mysticism of the early 20th century, is perfectly in her element here introducing this work to modern readers. A fascinating work of Christian literature, “The Cloud of Unknowing” in its abstract and at times paradoxical argument will give great insight into the mind of the Medieval Christian mystic.

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Considered to be one of the finest of the Icelandic sagas, “Njal’s Saga” or “The Story of Burnt Njal” was written sometime in the thirteenth century by an unknown author and is the longest and most developed of the Icelandic sagas. The source material for the saga was historical but probably drawn largely from oral tradition. The story relates events that took place between 960 and 1020 AD, involving blood feuds in the Icelandic Commonwealth. It features memorable characters like the noble warrior Gunnar of Hlidarendi, the lawyer Njáll Þorgeirsson, and the mildly villainous Mord Valgardsson, whose motivations and passions are familiar to people of every age and locale. The saga is divided into three parts, which describe the friendship between Gunnar and Njal, the tragic consequences of revenge, and finally the retribution of Flosi and Kari. Themes of loyalty, marriage, family honor, and vengeance permeate this beautifully written and timeless epic. This edition follows the translation of George Webbe Dasent.

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