THOR — THE LORD OF THUNDER Mjölnir, Giants, and Battles in Norse Mythology

Thor is one of the most powerful and recognizable figures in Norse mythology, but his story extends far beyond the modern image of the warrior who wields Mjölnir and commands thunder. Son of Odin and Jörð, husband of Sif, and adversary of jötnar and cosmic creatures, Thor appears in the ancient sources as a force of protection, consecration, and defense of order. His adventures take him from his confrontations with Hrungnir and Geirröðr to the illusions of Útgarða-Loki, the theft of Mjölnir by þrymr, and the famous fishing expedition for Jörmungandr, culminating in Ragnarök, when he kills the Serpent of Miðgarðr and dies from his venom. Along the way, the book also explores his family, his magical objects, his relationship with Odin and Loki, the nature of the jötnar, and the religious role Thor played among the Scandinavian peoples. Beyond the myths, the book investigates the historical Thor through the Eddas, skaldic poetry, runic inscriptions, Mjölnir pendants, place names, and other archaeological evidence, always distinguishing what the sources genuinely allow us to say from modern interpretations. The book also follows the Christianization of Scandinavia, the god's survival in language and cultural memory, his parallels with other thunder deities, and his transformation into a global figure through literature, art, comics, cinema, television, video games, and music. The result is a broad portrait of Thor not merely as a god of strength, but as a guardian of boundaries and a symbol of power whose greatest meaning is found when it is used to protect.