This collection of Norse mythology was the inspiration behind many books, such as JRR Tolkien's Lord of the Rings, Christopher Paolini's Inheritance Cycle, and Kevin Hearne's Iron Druid Chronicles. LOTR, especially, used LOTS of ideas from these tales: all of the dwarves' names--even Gandalf--the concept of the ring itself, the term 'Middle Earth' (Midgard), etc. Fascinating to learn about this mythology; however, much of it was a list of names of Aesir (gods and goddesses) and dwarves, without descriptions and context to remember them by. Loki is a real troublemaker and downright evil in these tales. The end of the world--aka Ragnarok--will be brought on by Loki and his children.