Terry G. Lacy brings both the perspective of an outsider and the familiar eye of a long-term resident to this delightful exploration of all facets of Iceland, past and present.

She conveys her story with a skillful interlacing of history, religion, politics, and culture to paint a vivid picture of the way Icelanders live today as members of a wealthy society still very dependent upon nature - from a reliance on its icy waters to support an international fishing industry to a watchful cohabitation with the volcanoes that both destroy villages and create new islands.

This is a book for all who have been charmed by reading the Norse sagas, for all those intrigued by the country that can claim the oldest existing democracy. It is an excellent introduction for anyone planning to visit Iceland and a delightful read for all those who do their exploration from the comfort of an armchair, as well as an opportunity for Icelanders to rediscover their country and its culture.