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 Iceland
Books for Sale
New Books
Prices available upon
request
Land
The new photo collection by renowned photographer
Páll Stefánsson
In his latest collection, photographer Páll Stefánsson
presents us with a highly personal vision of the Icelandic
landscape, capturing its extraordinary beauty and diversity by
concentrating on six of his favourite areas: the Snćfellsnes
peninsula, the West Fjords, Vatnajökull glacier,
Landmannalaugar, Nordur-Thingeyjarsýsla county and Langisjór.
Páll Stefánsson is one of Iceland's most celebrated landscape
photographers.
With text in English, German and Icelandic. 60 full-colour
photographs, 120 pages 30x28cm.
Visions of Iceland
Scenes and Surprises from Land and Sea
Visions of Iceland is an attractive pictorial profile of
Iceland, featuring photographs by Páll Stefánsson and an
introduction by celebrated Icelandic author Steinunn Sigurdardóttir.
Available in English, German, French, Danish, Swedish, Italian
and Spanish.
Iceland's Nature:
Memories of REYKJAVÍK
56 pp, soft cover; 11.5x15.5 cm
A book which celebrates the charm and colourful appearance of
the mountain-adorned, bay-set capital city of Iceland. With
photographs by renowned photographer Páll Stefánsson
accompanying an entertaining narrative, the book focuses on some
of the city's most memorable sites and places.
THE ICELAND HORSE
in the Home Country
56 pp, soft cover; 12.5x16.5 cm
Amidst the austere landscape
of its homeland the Icelandic
horse has grown to legendary status. This book celebrates the
unique qualities that have made this breed revered by horse
enthusiasts around the world. In English and German.
The Icelandic Horse -A Breed Apart
64 pp hard cover; 23.5x22.5cm
Here we have a book that is appropriate for enthusiasts and
professionals alike - an up-to-date text where the emphasis is
placed foremost on the role of the Icelandic horse today, at
home and abroad. In an informative and concise manner, the
special features of the Icelandic horse are presented, as well
as the lifestyle it has generated for people of all ages, both
in the countryside and in towns. Its breeding and upbringing are
discussed, its training and desirable features are examined, and
the top horse competitions and the various events within them
are all outlined. The progress of the Icelandic horse outside of
Iceland is briefly treated as well.
Many magnificent photographs enliven the pages of the book,
where the Icelandic horse can be seen in a number of
environments: roaming freely, on trips through the highlands,
and at competitions. The book's author is Kári Arnórsson.
Whales and Whale Watching
in Iceland
Lavishly illustrated with magnificent color photography, this
is a powerful and clear-cut account of whales and whale watching
off the coast of Iceland. The book combines striking photographs
and a concise, informative text to describe the characteristics
and behaviour of the whales found in Icelandic waters. British
author Mark Carwardine is well known for his natural history
programmes on BBC radio and television, as well as for his work
for the United Nations in the field of environmental issues. In
addition, he has written over 20 books on natural history which
have sold millions of copies all over the world. W hales and
Whale Watching in Iceland is available in English and German.
Available in English and German
Panorama -
Photos by Páll Stefánsson
128 pp hard cover; 22.5 x 31 cm
Anyone who has ever travelled in Iceland has surely left with
a desire to one day return. Renowned photographer Páll Stefánsson
captures in breathtaking style the magic and splendour of his
country. Text in English, German and Icelandic.
Iceland
Life and Nature on a North Atlantic Island
96 pp hard cover; 22 x 23 cm
Fresh, vibrant photographs and lively accessible text combine
to portray the extraordinary contrasts of Icelandic nature, the
country's wildlife, culture and history, and the Icelandic
people at work and play. In 96 pages and 80 stunning colour
photographs, ICELAND - Life and Nature on a North Atlantic
Island depicts Iceland's spectacular, craggy coastlines, its
thundering waterfalls, seething hot springs, spouting geysers,
glowing lava and chilly ice caps. Favourite birds like the
falcon and puffin, and sea and land animals from reindeer to
dolphin share the pages of the book with man's best friends, the
Icelandic sheepdog, the Iceland Horse and sheep, which kept the
Icelanders fed and clothed through the centuries.
Available in nine language editions: English, German, French,
Danish, Swedish, Norwegian, Italian, Spanish and Japanese.
The Exotic North
96 pp hard cover; 20 x 25 cm, 86 colour photographs
A breathtaking study of
Icelandic landscape in full colour by Max Schmid, one
of Europe's foremost nature photographers.
Available in English and
German.
Iceland's Treasured
Gifts of Nature
57 pp hard cover;
11 x 15.5 cm
In this elegantly presented
new book, some of the country's natural treasures have
been beautifully portrayed by photographer Páll
Stefánsson. Accompanied by a highly descriptive
commentary, the book is a souvenir of some of the more
unusual and constantly evolving natural wonders of
Iceland.
THE WEST FJORDS
The Westernmost
Point of Europe
24 pp soft cover;
23 x 19 cm
The West Fjords are Iceland's
outpost to the northwest, and the westernmost point of
Europe, with sheer bird cliffs rising out of the sea
and mountains beautifully wrought and etched by
Ice-Age glaciers. For centuries, life there revolved
around harvesting the ocean and waging continous
battle with the forces of nature. Yet deep within the
narrow valleys and jagged fjords, sublime nature and
the relics of vanished settlements whisper to those
who have ears to hear their tale. Steep bluffs,
flourishing fishing villages bustling with life,
deserted settlements and remote farms: all these
characterize the West Fjords.
Also available in German.
The Heart of the
North - Akureyri and the Eyjafjördur Region
Shadowed by mountatins and
valleys, reflected by the waters of a long and
inviting fjord, life in the Eyjafjordur region and its
principal town of Akureyri thrives and flourishes,
belying its location just below the Arctic Circle.
Available in English and
German.
Reykjanes - A
Gateway to Iceland
The Reykjanes peninsula of
southwest Iceland is a region that enchants, inspires
and surprises. It provides many opportunities to
experience and discover the wonder of the forces of
nature, and the ways of life that are typical of this
seafaring nation. Life thrives in the fishing villages
along its weathered coastline, while under the surface
nature is in turmoil, constantly straining as the
earth's huge surface plates diverge. The peninsula is
a paradise for geologists and those interested in its
diverse natural phenomena, which combine to create a
vivid, breathtaking and spellbinding landscape. The
Reykjanes peninsula - a land still in the making.
Available in English and
German.
WATERFALLS
Poetry in Motion
24 pp soft cover;
23 x19 cm
Few natural phenomena are as
fascinating as Iceland's unsurpassed waterfalls.
Whether awe-inspiring torrents or gentle cascades,
they have long been looked upon as symbols of national
pride in a land that teems with spectacular scenery.
Here you will find an unrivalled collection of
Icelandic waterfalls, captured by the camera of one of
the country's most talented photographers. Each
waterfall is accompanied by an informative essay.
Large or small, inposing or soothing - enjoy the
splendour of Iceland's waterfalls.
Available in English and
German.
Iceland -
Country and People
64pp, paperback,
14x19.5cm
Iceland - Country and People
is a small but convenient handbook containing a wealth
of information for anyone interested in Iceland.
Landscape, geology and local conditions are succinctly
described, and a wide variety of subjects are covered,
ranging from fire and ice, to animal life and
vegetation. In addition, it provides an insight into
Iceland's history, form of government, culture,
economy and much more.
The new and abridged edition
is now available in five languages: English, French,
German, Spanish, and Swedish.
PASSPORT TO ICELAND
32 pp, 14 x 9.5 cm,
soft cover
A different kind of book
about Iceland
The Passport is a 32-page
book, about the size of the average passport, packed
with interesting and accessible information about
Iceland and the Icelanders: the Icelandic flag and
coat of arms; the origins of the Icelanders; Leifur
the Lucky, discoverer of America; the nation's
history, sagas, language, culture and economy; the
volcanoes, glaciers and geothermal springs; the
capital city; the Midnight Sun; the country's flora
and fauna. Richly illustrated with colour photographs
on almost every page.
The Passport to Iceland is
available in English, German, French, Italian, Swedish
and Danish.
ICELAND
The Surprising Island
of the North Atlantic
96 pp hard cover;
20 x 20 cm 76 colour photographs
Magnificent colour
photographs of Iceland and the Icelandic way of life.
The English edition is out of stock, but the book is
still available in German, Norwegian, Danish, Swedish,
French, and Dutch.
ICELAND
The Surprising
Island of the North Atlantic
96 pp hard cover;
20 x 20 cm 75 colour photographs
A lively pageant of a city
and its people in full colour by award winning
photographer Páll Stefánsson.
Photo Album Series
A series of compact photo albums
with text in twelve languages: English, French, German,
Danish, Swedish, Norwegian, Finnish, Dutch, Spanish, Italian,
Japanese and Arabic.
Photo Album Series
48 pp, soft cover
15 x 21 cm with 31 colour photographs
A series of compact photo
albums with text in twelve languages: English, French,
German, Danish, Swedish, Norwegian, Finnish, Dutch,
Spanish, Italian, Japanese and Arabic.
ICELAND - The Youngest
Country in Europe
AROUND ICELAND - Route One
REYKJAVÍK - Iceland's Capital
THE ICELANDERS
THE GOLDEN CIRCLE - (Gullfoss, Geysir, Thingvellir)
THE ICELAND HORSE
WESTMAN ISLANDS - note: text
in English, French, German, Danish, Norwegian and
Swedish
Culture and Arts:
CHURCHES OF ICELAND
112 pp hard cover;
21 x 25 cm 139 colour photographs
An informative and accessible
introduction to ecclesiastical art and architecture in
Iceland by the Rev. Gunnar Kristjánsson, with detailed
discussion of 24 churches.
Naive and Fantastic
Art in Iceland
96 pp hard cover;
23 x 23 cm 94 colour photographs
The first study ever
published on Iceland's naive artists - hitherto an
unexplored field of artistic studies. Art historian
Adalsteinn Ingólfsson singles out 11 artists, from the
last century until the present day.
N. Tryggvadóttir -
Serenity and
Power
96 pp hard cover;
23 x 23 cm 79 illustrations
Aview of Nina Tryggvadóttir
(1913-68), one of Iceland's most prominent abstract
artists, by Hrafnhildur Schram. Includes 58 colour
reproductions of her paintings.
Kjarval -
A Painter of Iceland
96 pp hard cover;
23 x 23 cm 86 illustrations,
64 in colour
An intimate account of
Iceland's most universally popular painter, Jóhannes
S. Kjarval (1885-1972), by Adalsteinn Ingólfsson and
Matthías Johannessen, with 60 colour reproductions of
his work.
SCULPTOR -
An Edda in Shapes and
Symbols
72 pp hard cover;
20 x 20 cm 35 photographs
A profile of Ásmundur
Sveinsson (1893-1982), a pioneer of modern sculpture
in Iceland, who drew inspiration from folk culture,
myth and everyday life. Text by poet and editor
Matthías Johannessen.
Folklore:
Tales of Two Worlds
- Icelandic Folk
and Fairy Tales
123 pp hard cover; 15 x 21 cm
Spanning the rich folk
tradition of Iceland, from ghosts and elves to
sorcerers, saints and outlaws, the stories reflect
everyday life in Iceland through the centuries,
throwing a unique light on the Icelandic character in
humorous as well as serious circumstances. The stories
include such gems of Icelandic folklore as the tales
of the magic cow Búkolla, the ogress Gilitrutt and the
ghost of the Deacon of Myrká. The book is now
available in five languages: French, German, Danish.
Norwegian and Swedish. The English version is sold
out.
ICELANDIC FOLKTALES
I-III
Ghosts, Elves
and Outlaws
Price, each: USD13
airmail extra
outside Europe USD3, within Europe USD1
96 pp soft cover; 15 x 21 cm
I GHOSTS and Tales of
Witchcraft and the Other World
II ELVES and Stories of Trolls and Elemental Beings
(temporarily out of stock)
III OUTLAWS Together with Adventures and Stories of
Past Events
An excellent selection from
the rich folklore of Iceland, made by Professor Alan
Boucher who also translated to stories. Folktales will
always be classic, as they provide an insight into
human character and culture, which basically remain
the same in spite of the changing world and the high
technological development people are confronted with
in everyday life. These books contain many famous old
stories - funny, mystical, scary, but always
entertaining - stories that have lived with the
Icelandic nation for centuries and are still enjoyed
by new generations.
The Demon Whistle -
Sćmundur the Wise and his dealings with the devil
64 pp soft cover; 15 x 21 cm
Many stories have been told
about Sćmundur the Wise, who was renowned as a very
clever magician - even though he was a priest. The
most important ones are about his endless encounters
with the devil, and how he always succeeded in
outsmarting him. He was so brilliant that it was
generally presumed that he had learned his skills from
Old Nick himself while he was studying in his younger
days at the Black School in Paris. However, Sćmundur
had obviously surpassed his master in using his wits!
Here the reader can get acquainted with this legendary
person who lived in Iceland many centuries ago, and
enjoy the most famous stories about him as they are
retold in a fresh and humorous way for a modern
audience.
Also available in German
Literature:
THE CHANGING EARTH
And Selected Poems
96 pp soft cover;
15 x 21 cm
Novella and a selection of
poetry by Ólafur Jóhann Sigurdsson, winner of the
Nordic Council Literary Award in 1976. Selected and
translated by Professor Alan Boucher.
NORTH OF WAR
by Indridi G.
Thorsteinsson
128 pp soft cover; 15 x 21 cm
A novel about the relations
between Icelanders and foreign military personnel in
Iceland during World War II.
THREE MODERN
ICELANDIC POETS
Steinn Steinarr - Jón úr Vör -
Matthías Johannessen
126 pp, hard cover; 14 x 11.5 cm
The poems are selected and
translated by Marshall Brement, former US Ambassador
to Iceland.
THE ICELAND
TRAVELLER
A Hundred Years
of Adventure
265 pp, soft cover; 15 x 21 cm
A fascinating selection from
the writings of 15 travellers in Iceland from the late
18th to the late 19th century. From the Banks
expedition of 1772 to Howell's visit at the end of the
19th century, fifteen early travellers to Iceland
returned home to write about their experiences in the
Far North. These reports, from the cynical to the
romantic, tell us as much about the writers as their
quests for the different and unknown on a strange and
fascinating island.
This anthology was compiled
by Professor Alan Boucher and covers a range of themes
which is intended both as entertainment for the
general reader and as information for the historian.
All texts have been retained in their original
published form.
Saga Series:
Saga Treasures
Each volume is 96 pp, soft cover; 15 x 21 cm
Iceland Review offers
English-speaking readers a selection of representative
samples from the best of Icelandic Saga literature.
Seven volumes of selected stories from classical
Icelandic Saga literature, translated into English by
Professor Alan Boucher. Published for the student and
the general reader alike, each volume includes a
scholarly introduction and explanatory notes.
The Saga of Gunnlaug A
13th century love triangle.
The Saga of Hord A
band of outlaws rejects society
The Saga of Viga Glum
A chieftain ruthlessly annihilates his rivals.
The Saga of Havard
Provoked beyond endurance, Havard exacts a terrible
revenge.
The Saga of Hallfred the
Troublesome Scald An Icelander becomes court poet
in Norway.
A Tale of Icelanders
Most of the Book of the Icelanders by Ari Thorgilsson
the Learned, plus short accounts of Icelanders'
adventures abroad.
Tales from the Eastfirths
Families and feuds in the east.
History:
History of Iceland
206 pp soft cover; 15 x 21 cm
A book which spans the whole
history of the Icelandic nation. A lively and
absorbing account of the events, personalities and
ideas that have shaped the heritage and destiny of the
Icelandic nation. Concise and highly informatie and
written with the general reader in mind, the book
charts the glories and achievements of the Republic
and Saga Age, the bitter and bloody civil war which
led to humiliation and suffering under colonial rule,
and the nationalist awakening which has created a
thriving modern republic with a deep attachment to its
unique past.
The author, Jón R.
Hjálmarsson, is a historian and educator and served as
a school principal and later as regional administrator
of education in south Iceland for many years. He is
well known as a broadcaster and as the author of
several books on history and related subjects. History
of Iceland was published to commemorate the 50th
anniversary of the establishment of the modern
republic of Iceland in 1994.
Available in English and
German
BIRTH OF A NATION
by Njördur P.
Njardvík
96 pp, soft cover; 15 x 21 cm
A history of Iceland from the
settlement in the late ninth century until the end of
the Old Commonwealth in 1262. English Translation by
John Porter
Chapter headings:
Translator's Foreword
Ancient Iceland
The Discovery and Settlement of Iceland
Constitution and Division of Power
Seafaring and Geographical Discoveries
Religion and Church
The Struggle for Power and the Fall of the
Commonwealth Chronological Summary
Literary References
Milestones in
Icelandic History
58 pp hard cover; 11 x 15.5 cm
It might be a small country
but history is certainly larger than life. From Viking
settlement to legalised beer drinking some of the most
dramatic events in the story of Iceland's past are
related and wittingly illustrated here in an
informative, incisive and enjoyable fashion.
Leifur Eiríksson and
Vínland the Good
88 pp soft cover; l5 x 21 cm
A thousand years ago, a
Nordic seafarer, carried off course on the North
Atlantic, caught a chance glimpse of land in the far
west. The story of the Nordic discovery of America,
named "Vínland" by the discoverers, around the year AD
1000 has been preserved for a millennium in medieval
Icelandic manuscripts.
How Icelandic seafarers
discovered the New World a thousand years ago
Was Vínland first seen by Leifur Eiríksson or by
Bjarni Herjólfsson? Was Leifur "the Lucky" a Christian
missionary, and where was he from? Who was the first
European born in the New World? In her informative and
accessible book, Anna Yates tells the story of the
Norsemen in America, how they found a new continent
and why they did not stay. Based on original
historical sources, the work brings together various
other knowledge and findings.
Anna Yates (b. 1955) is a
journalist and translator of mixed English and
Icelandic descent. A graduate in history from the
University of Bristol and in Icelandic for foreign
students from the University of Iceland, she has lived
and worked in Iceland since 1984.
Miscellaneous:
Exploring Iceland
Through Its STAMPS
206 pp soft cover; 15 x 21 cm
A Philatelic Odyssey by Don
Brandt
A storehouse of fascinating
information on Iceland and its stamps - a must for all
collectors. This 206-page volume, lavishly illustrated
with stamps, cancellations and various collectors'
covers, approaches Iceland's stamps in the context of
the nation and its people. Separate chapters are
devoted to themes like ships, landscape and birds, and
the story of independence campaigner Jón Sigurdsson on
stamps is recounted. The author also deals with the
development of cancellations and how they have changed
over the years. The book includes a map of Iceland
showing 19th century place names found on
cancellations - including many now obsolete.
The author, Don Brandt, draws
on a wealth of philatelic knowledge accumulated during
his fifty-plus years as a stamp collector. In his
introduction to the book, Brandt describes his aim as
writing "about something more than just the stamps of
Iceland: What is depicted on their surface and what
lies beneath, mixed in unequal parts with general
information for collectors. It is intended for those
interested in both Iceland and its postage stamps."
An Icelandic
Cookbook
32 pp, soft cover; 15 x 21 cm
A selection of easy-to
prepare traditional favourites, such as fish balls,
meat soup, roast leg of lamb, Icelandic pancakes, "kleinur"
and rhubarb jam. Lively full-colour illustrations on
every page. The recipes are selected and illustrated
by Áslaug Benediktsdóttir, a Reykjavík homemaker.
Available in English and Danish
Atlantic Gourmet -The
Best of Icelandic Seafood
64 pp hard cover;
20.5x17cm
A magnificent selection of
Icelandic seafood dishes
Here is a book which many
people will enjoy - a book that shows Icelandic
seafood dishes prepared in a variety of delectable
ways. Fish from Icelandic streams and lakes, and the
oceans surrounding the country, is both a tasty and
nutritious food, which is increasingly exported and
available in a number of countries. Well-prepared fish
is truly a delicacy that most people appreciate, not
least Iceland's foreign guests.
Here master chef Bjarni Thór
Ólafsson conjures up 25 dishes, which all draw forth
the full potential of their ingredients. Colourful,
mouth-watering photographs illustrate the recipes,
which are straightforward and easy to prepare. This is
a book suitable for all, a perfect choice for friends
and associates.
Iceland -
The Republic
253 pp hard cover; 24.2x18.2 cm
There is, in this age of
expanding international communication, special cause
to disseminate knowledge of one's land and nation to
the widest possible audience. The appearance of this
remarkable book is a crucial step in reaching this
global audience.
The book is a comprehensive
gold mine of learning and data on Icelandic society,
and its history and multi-faceted development, with
emphasis placed on the fifty-two years that have
passed since the establishment of the Republic of
Iceland in 1944. A wealth of colour photographs, maps
and graphs adorn the book and clarify its informative
content. The book also contains an all-embracing
statistical supplement, a list of all the country's
major institutions and companies, an index and a
bibliography of books in various languages which deal
with Iceland.
ICELAND - The Republic is an
invaluable body of information on all things connected
with modern Iceland, a book that even Icelanders will
find of great use. Published by The Central Bank of
Iceland; distributed by Iceland Review.
Books in translation from
Vaka-Helgafell
Halldór Laxness:
Under the Glacier
A novel by Nobel-Prize winner Halldór
Laxness
A novel originally published in
1968 by Halldór Laxness.
A youthful emissary of the Bishop
of Iceland travels to the beautiful and mysterious
district of Snćfellsnes, locally known as "Under the
Glacier", to investigate the affairs of the parish and its
enigmatic pastor. The story is the young man's report to
the bishop on the extraordinary events taking place at the
foot of Snćfellsjökull glacier, and the remarkable
characters he encounters in the course of his
investigations.
English translation by Magnús
Magnússon.
The Bread of Life
A story by Nobel-Prize winner Halldór
Laxness
A hard-cover, large-size
story by Halldór Laxness.
This story is one of the gems
in Laxness' collection. A dependable young servant
girl loses her way on the heathlands of the country
parish where she has lived all her life. Like many of
Laxness' characters, she is a person who believes in
and remains true to herself in a world being
fragmented by modern tastes and values. Her individual
struggle is set against the background of a farming
community that simply will not change and give way to
the new age.
Illustrated by Snorri Sveinn
Fridriksson.
Children's books:
Dimmalimm
A children's story by Gudmundur
Thorsteinsson
Few if any Icelandic
children's books have enjoyed as much popularity over
the past decades as the adventure story of the little
princess Dimmalimm.
It was in 1921 that artist
Gudmundur Thorsteinsson wrote the adventure and
painted the pictures for his little niece, who then
lived in Barcelona, Spain. At that time he was thirty
years of age, and travelling on a steamship from
Denmark to Italy.
Gudmundur, generally known
under his nickname Muggur, was an ackowledged painter
though his career was short-lived. Born in 1891, he
died in 1924. The story of Dimmalimm is among the most
precious treasures that he left behind.
Avaliable in English, German
and Danish.
A Giant Love Story
A children's story by Gudrún
Helgadóttir, illustrated by Brian Pilkington
A Giant Love Story is one of
Iceland's most popular children's books. It was first
published in 1981 and has since been translated into
several other languages. It is a story filled with
love, compassion, and humor that relates to children
all over the world.
Sagas:
Njál's saga
A hardbound edition of the most famous
of the Icelandic sagas
Njáls saga is the best known
of the Icelandic sagas. It is vast in scope, rich in
characterization, and intensely dramatic. It is one of
the greatest works of medieval European literature,
and also one of the world's great stories.
This special hardbound
edition was published to commemorate 50 years of
Iceland's sovereignty. The translation is by Magnús
Magnússon and Hermann Pálsson.
Prices available upon
request
Please call/fax or email to:
Postal Address: Icelandic
Horse Acres
4301 South Chapman Road
Greenacres, Washington 99016 USA
Icelandic Horse Acres Phone (509) 924-8112
Icelandic Horse Acres Fax (509) 927-3414
Icelandic Horse Acres e-mail :
info@icelandichorse.com
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