Hero Tales and Legends of the Rhine is a collection of myths and legends about the Rhine and the communities it fosters. Some of these are myths fused with real stories. Lewis Spence first provides an introduction of the topography of the Rhine. To better understand the pervading beliefs and temperament of the people living near the famous river, the author provides a background and brief history of Germany.
There is also a section about the folklore and literature of Rhine in general. The author cited examples of the type of stories that are usually produced or become popular. Readers do not have to immerse themselves in the stories right away but are given a proper introduction.
Although Spence did not write an exhaustive comparative study of the folktales, he was able to provide some background of and explanation for most of the stories. The section on Nibelungenlied in particular was very informative and clear-cut.
Spence's writing is easy to understand and readers do not need a background on mythology and folklore to enjoy this book. This is a good introductory material if the reader wishes to study folklore. I'm giving this an 8 out of 10 rating.
