Pocket Havamal Olive Bray Translation Paperback – June 27, 2016

A great book of wisdom and thoughts for us to meditate on. It can be a little difficult to understand at times, if you don't know much about old world dialects, but leave your mind open to the words, and the meanings will come. Some of the wisdom is simple wisdom that serves more as a reminder. Some of the wisdom is simple wisdom that we tend to overlook. One such case, that I know I am guilty of doing is, 24. "The unwise man is awake all night,and ponders everything over; whenmorning comes he is weary in mind,and all is a burden as ever".The stanzas are all numbered, so it is easy to find bits of wisdom again. The words, although at times hard to understand as mentioned above, do tend to flow rather easily. You can go seamlessly from one stanza to the next, or read and focus on one stanza at a time.The physical book itself, is a little larger than I expected. It's not large by any means, and it does slip into my pocket easy enough. Not really a complaint, just a note. The print is clear and easy to read, with blank pages in the back for your own notes. Overall I would easily recommend this Havamal to anyone who, well, is anyone really. I've had a fascination with Norse mythology for a while, and recently decided it's time to get serious about learning about it. Even if you are not interested in Norse mythology, however, the Havamal is still a wonderful book to read, and for just 7 dollars, you are not taking a big risk with it.

I liked this translation and format because it was an easy to understand version. Translating from such an old language is always difficult, but making the text still acessable to modern lay readers is even more so. Many of the words of the Havamal still ring true today, and I'd recommend reading it to anyone with an interest in old Norse culture.

It is what it is.

I’ve never read any other translation but this was pretty easy to read and in a small handy format. I am pleased with it and it was an interesting read.

Was instructed to buy this variant by another TAC member and I have not be sorry. I have read other versions of the Pocket Havamal and this one, by far, is the most poetic and easy to understand. I recommend it to all Asatruars, whether new or old, this is a must. May Odin guide those in pursuit of knowledge. Skål brothers and sisters!

Wonderful translation! I think I'm going to buy several more copies of this have at the house. It fits in the pocket perfectly, so I can carry it around at work or wherever I go with definite ease.

Yup. Just what I needed to start out with. Even tho some might get lost in the difficulty of "old English speak", I enjoy the dance of words.Will definitely recommend this to other new comers.

I have a few translations of the Havana’s but this is one of my favorites. The size is perfect for carrying with me

For the price of this tiny book the print quality should be up to scratch, but this printing is missing whole letters, or parts of letters making it annoying to read. I assume this is the case with all copies or maybe I got the only duff one. The one star review is for the quality of the product, not for the wisdom that is undoubtedly to be found inside decently produced copies.