Vikings Bók: The Poetic Edda

Well written, great book for those in the Asatru faith!

This book opened my eyes to the original meanings of the words "Pagan" and "Heathen." I learned that those terms have morphed over the centuries into something derogatory, but they didn't start out that way. It reminds me of the definition of "ignorance"--to be ignorant is not an insult, unless you choose to remain that way! I struggled with understanding some of this book (reason for four stars instead of five), but I also found so much wealth and wisdom that is still appropriate today. Some of the words of wisdom are now hanging on my office wall! It's worth the read and might enrich your life, as it has mine. Those who eagerly embrace a challenge for a worthy reward will like, and even treasure, this collection of life's wisdom and guidance. If it's too easy, it's probably not worth the effort. Thanks, Wolf!

The Poetic Edda is a collection of story fragments in verse form, including many of the stories and characters that turn up in more popular and familiar mythological tales. As fragments, these stories are not always coherent or easy to digest, and the translator for this edition of these verses, Olive Bray, did a fine job of keeping the feel of ancient Scandinavian people and their lives, while making the stories readable and understandable. The editor, Wolf Wickham, does an equally good job of annotating and otherwise facilitating so that readers unfamiliar with Norse mythology can understand these stories. As a new edition of a fascinating piece of world literature, this is a great book.In addition, this book provides at least a partial introduction to a new development called the Northern Way, something with which the editor Wolf Wickham is involved. Anyone interested in comparative religion will find Wickham's introduction and glossary sections quite interesting, not just as resources for understanding the Poetic Edda, but as a glimpse at a religious perspective that is trying to push back against Christian dominance in Northern Europe. These segments of Wickham's book make his glossary a bit less useful as a glossary, since many of his entries are soaked in Wickham's agenda of promoting the Northern Way against established religion, but while this very blatant agenda erodes somewhat the usefulness of Wickham's supplementary segments of this book, as far as supporting the Poetic Edda itself, they add some interest of their own.I gave this book a 4 out of 5 stars, because the notes and supplementary material really were not all that helpful for making the primary text more readable, though for academic or research purposes they might be still useful. The primary text, based primarily on Olive Bray's translation, would have gotten a 5, but a primary text like this one does need a good introduction, notes and a glossary, and these supplementary texts were good, but not helpful enough for the casual reader to easily enjoy the primary text.

Fantastic thank you so much. Some beautiful guidance in this crazy world. A good way to really hear the ancestors.

A must for the library of anyone interested in the Heathen movement and Teutonic spirituality. A modern take on the Olive Bray translation that includes new features that enhance the original.

Excellent book about the Vikings

A slightly different translation of the Poetic Edda. A very interesting and well thought out book. I would definitely recommed this to my fellow Heathens. Non of us should have just one copy of the Eddas, but this is one version I am definitely happy to have on my bookshelf.