On the Verge of Lunacy

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 an...

This is a compilation of fifty-eight stories by Dr. Wilhelm Ruland. The stories are grouped according to the location where each story supposedly took place. Each story has an introduction which makes the transition much easier for the reader. It includes a condensed version of Nibelungen Lied. The story has been chopped into two however, the earlier part of which can be found in a later chapter. The story of Lohengrin is also included. I recommend this book to those who are interested in legends and myths in general, as well as to people who are not knowledgeable about the subject. As mentioned earlier, the author provides a background of the story. Those who are not familiar with the places mentioned won't find it difficult to visualize the setting. Dr. Ruland's descriptive skill is sufficient for that task. There are also illustrations in selected legends. I'm giving this book a 9 out of 10 rating .