Before You Begin

Before you begin.

In Myths of the Rhine, X.-B. Saintine follows the river from its Alpine source toward the Dutch canals, gathering histories, local traditions, and accounts of gods and spirits along the way. The sixteen chapters move from Druids and sacred trees to the northern creation story, the gods of Walhalla, water spirits, household beings, giants, dwarfs, and fairies. The Rhine provides a path through the book’s changing subjects.

Saintine wrote in the nineteenth century, when writers often compared religions and peoples through speculative histories. Read those comparisons as part of his period and argument; they are not a guide to current historical or religious scholarship. The book also shifts between travel, anecdote, legend, and the author’s own reflections, so its voice is part of the reading.

This illustrated edition pairs the complete English text with portraits, world and relationship plates, narrative scenes, and a recap for each chapter. The recaps follow the chapter sequence and appear only after the relevant reading unit. The English translation is by M. Schele de Vere, with illustrations by Gustave Doré. Begin at the river’s source and follow Saintine’s journey downstream.