Iceland is one of the most unique and fascinating countries in the world. A visually stunning island full of glaciers, volcanoes, lava fields and snow-capped mountains, the homeland of Bjork now boasts a thriving pop-music scene, its capital, Reykjavik, recently acquiring a reputation for being one of the most painfully hip locales in Europe. Once perceived as cold, isolated outpost, Iceland is now one of the continent's most desirable travel destinations. Set principally in Reykjavik, Waking Up In Iceland is a detailed guide to not only the music scene but also the city and country in general, providing advice on where to stay, places to visit for the musically minded and where to find guided tours for those essential day trips out.
A guide to Iceland's rich literary heritage - from Norse witches to contemporary crime fiction. Iceland is an island of multiple identities in constant flux, just like its unruly, volcanic ground. Shaped as much by storytelling as it is by tectonic activity, Iceland's literary heritage is one of Europe's richest – and most ancient. Iceland: A Literary Guide for Travellers takes the literary-minded traveller (either in person or in an armchair) on a vivid and illuminating journey. It follows Iceland's many stories that have been passed down through the generations: told and retold by sheep farmers, psalm-writers, travelling reverends, independence fighters, scholars and hedonists. From the captivating Norse myths, which continue to inspire contemporary authors such as A. S. Byatt, to gripping Scandinavian crime fiction and Game of Thrones, via Jules Verne and J. R. R. Tolkien, W. H. Auden and Seamus Heaney, Iceland's influence has spread far beyond its frozen shores. Peopled by Norse maidens and witches, elves and outlaws, and taking the reader and traveller from Reykjavik and the Bay of Smokes to the remote Westfjords and desolate highlands, this is an enthralling portrait of the Land of Ice and Fire.
The field of memory studies has long been preoccupied with the manner in which events from the past are commemorated, forgotten, re-fashioned, or worked through on both the individual and collective level. Yet in an age when various modes of artistic and cultural commemoration have begun to overlap with and respond to one another, the dynamics of cultural remembering and forgetting become bound up in an increasingly elaborate network of representations that operate both within and outside temporal, cultural, and national borders. As publicly circulating texts that straddle the line between cultural artifact and artistic object, both musical and literary works, both individually and often in conjunction with one another, help shape cultural memories and individual experiences of those events. Troping their cultural milieux through specific aesthetic and social forms, genres, and modes of dissemination, music and literature become part of a growing global panoply of raw materials upon which we might begin to pose questions regarding the way we remember, the consequences of sharing and passing on those memories, and the aesthetic and cultural pressures attendant upon the circulation and interpretation of texts that (re-)sound the past.
During the past three decades, Iceland has attained a strong presence in the world through its musical culture, with images of the nation being packaged and shipped out in melodies, harmonies, and rhythms. What 'Iceland' means for people, both at home and abroad, is conditioned by music and its ability to animate notions of nature and nationality. In six chapters that range from discussions of indie rock ballads to 'Nordic noir' television music, Dissonant Landscapes describes the capacity of musical expression to transform ideas about nature and nationality on the northern edges of Europe.
A beautifully written memoir of a family’s year living in Reykjavik, Iceland that “captures the fierce beauty of the Arctic landscape”—from the acclaimed author of Ghost Wall (Booklist). Sarah Moss had a childhood dream of moving to Iceland, sustained by a wild summer there when she was nineteen. In 2009, she saw an advertisement for a job at the University of Iceland and applied on a whim, despite having two young children and a comfortable life in Kent, England. The resulting adventure was shaped by Iceland’s economic collapse, which halved the value of her salary; by the eruption of the volcano Eyjafjallajokull; and by a collection of new friends, including a poet who saw the only bombs fall on Iceland in 1943; a woman who speaks to elves; and a chef who guided Sarah’s family around the intricacies of Icelandic cuisine. Moss explored hillsides of boiling mud and volcanic craters and learned to drive like an Icelander on the unsurfaced roads that link remote farms and fishing villages in the far north. She watched the northern lights and the comings and goings of migratory birds, and as the weeks and months went by, she and her family learned new ways to live. Names for the Sea is her compelling and very funny account of living in a country poised on the edge of Europe, where modernization clashes with living folklore.
South Africa's best-known adventurer Riaan Manser takes on his toughest – and coldest - challenge ever, to kayak around Iceland accompanied by Dan Skinstad, who suffers from mild cerebral palsy. Confronted by icy seas, raging winter storms and logistical nightmares, the two adventurers overcome daunting obstacles, including coming to terms with how to work together as a team. Around Iceland on Inspiration is a story about courage, friendship, determination and inspiration. It captures the true spirit of adventure and the stark beauty of Iceland. Around Iceland on Inspiration is Riaan's story behind the controversial TV series aired in 2012 and is set to become another best-seller.
Icelandic Folk Magic: Witchcraft of the North is Albert Bjorn’s second book. Drawing on the same friendly and engaging style of his first book, Icelandic Plant Magic: Folk Herbalism of the North, Albert offers us an extensive grimoire of folk magical practices based on the Icelandic landscape. Incorporating elements of myth and lore, along with his own tried and true magical techniques, Icelandic Folk Magic will add a highly workable system of operative charms, spells, and formulas to your practice. This book is being offered in two editions: a hardcover edition with a protective dust jacket and a red foil stamp on a black cover and spine, and an unlimited paperback with glossy laminate.
MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR TIME ON EARTH Discover Iceland with this comprehensive, entertaining, 'tell it like it is' Rough Guide, packed with exhaustive practical information and our experts' honest independent recommendations. Whether you plan to party in Reykjavik, bathe in the Blue Lagoon or hike the Laugavegur trail, The Rough Guide to Iceland will show you the perfect places to explore, sleep, eat, drink and shop along the way. Features of The Rough Guide to Iceland: Detailed regional coverage: provides in-depth practical information for every step of every kind of trip, from intrepid off-the-beaten-track adventures, to chilled-out breaks in popular tourist areas. Regions covered include: Reykjavik, southwestern Iceland, the west coast, the West Fjords, northwest Iceland, Mývatn and the northeast, eastern and southeast Iceland, and the Interior. Honest independent reviews: written with Rough Guides' trademark blend of humour, honesty and expertise, and recommendations you can truly trust, our writers will help you get the most from your trip to Iceland. Meticulous mapping: always full colour, with clear numbered, colour-coded keys. Navigate Reykajavik, the west coast and many more locations without needing to get online. Fabulous full-colour photography: features a richness of inspirational colour photography, including Iceland's stunning national parks and the awe-inspiring Northern Lights. Things not to miss: Rough Guides' rundown of Reykjavik, Akureyri, and rural Iceland's best sights and top experiences. Itineraries: carefully planned routes will help you organise your trip, and inspire and inform your on-the-road experiences. Basics section: packed with essential pre-departure information including getting there, getting around, accommodation, food and drink, health, the media, festivals, sports and outdoor activities, culture and etiquette, shopping and more. Background information: comprehensive Contexts chapter provides fascinating insights into Iceland, with coverage of history, religion, ethnic groups, environment, wildlife and books, plus a handy language section and glossary. You might also be interested in... Pocket Rough Guide Reykjavik Rough Guide to Canada About Rough Guides: Rough Guides have been inspiring travellers for over 35 years, with over 30 million copies sold. Synonymous with practical travel tips, quality writing and a trustworthy 'tell it like it is' ethos, the Rough Guides' list includes more than 260 travel guides to 120+ destinations, gift-books and phrasebooks.
In the space of a few days, one of the world’s richest and most egalitarian nations, Iceland, toppled into financial chaos and sunk into an economic, ethical, moral and identity crisis. The vast empire built by Iceland’s young entrepreneurs, the “new Vikings”—who had propelled the country to the top of wealth, equality and happiness charts—collapsed under the combined effect of the failure of its banks and astronomical debt (more than ten times the country’s gross domestic product). Iceland became, in the midst of the global economic crisis, an icon of disaster that troubles all Western countries seeking to understand how the Scandinavian model could collapse so suddenly. In this book, Daniel Chartier traces, through thousands of articles appearing in the foreign press, the fascinating reversal of Iceland’s image during the crisis. Citizens of a country now humiliated, Icelanders must deal with a number of significant issues including the quest for wealth, sovereignty, ethics, responsibility, gender and the limits of neoliberalism.
