Recommend me a book about Nordic Mythology

[Naku ist krig]

Titles like: "Dictionary of Northern Mythology" ;
"Norse Myths"
have been under my observation though i don´t know much of those books..

Go ahead, recommend a book. If consider that this a forum of Norse metal band is pretty sure that someone could something. Right?

np:Amon Amarth - Thousand Years Of Oppression

 

[Tyra]

There are lots of "dictionary" style books that list all the gods and tell some of the tales and their meaning to us, such as H.R Ellis Davidson's "Scandinavian Mythology", or Time Life's "Sagas of the Norsemen" and "Vikings: Raiders From the North". Most books like that, though, are written from a Christian perspective and views the faith as myth rather than religion (as in a religion that is no longer practised). My personal favourite is Alf Hendriksson's "Asken Yggdrasil", which is really a modern interpretation of the old myths, but it's only available in Swedish. If you really want to learn stuff, there are some terrific websites from those of us who still worship out there. Ofcourse, I am partial to my own felag, Irminsul Aettir (www.irminsul.org). You can find about everything you need to know there! Happy hunting!

 

[Tyra]

Oh, and ofcourse the best books you can get if you are really interested are the Havamal, the Eddas and the Voluspa if you can find them in whatever language you are in....

 

[Patric]

Yeah, I'd recommend anyone to read The Havamal eventhough it's not Myths per say...

 

[spaffe]

i've haven't read it myself but i've heard some postive stuff been said about a book called "The Masks of Odin: Wisdom of the Ancient Norse" anyone here who's read it?

or perhaps you could send an e-mail to some university where they study this kind of stuff and ask for some tips

 

[Naku ist krig]

Thanks for the advices, more serious hunt shall begin.

 

[AxeOfDarkness]

i have a book called "the ultimate encyclopedia of MYTHOLOGY"
it has alot of information on all the different mythologys celtic, norse etc....
it has alot of information on all the gods and stuff... not to bad.

 

[Belgar]

You guys don't know jack shit about viking mythology, any good viking should know that Hagar the Horrible is the perfect source of viking informations. I spoke to Johan and he confirmed his secret connection to Hagar, thruth and matter is, Hagar the Horrible should be every viking's mentor. Hagar is the Al Bundy of the viking age.

 

[Patric]

Dude Al Bundy is KING. Anyway, try to stay away from Wiccan books written by Feminist jocks as they've got a quite fucked view on the pre-Christian age and are very biased. A thing that annoys me is the fact that they claim that ALL Heathen religions, and that includes Asatru, was female-fronted and all Goddess worshipping. And that's just a wrong thing to say cause it was just the opposite actually, with the sexes being equally divided between the deities.

 

[spaffe]

well one thing to keep in mind when reading books about this subject is if someone uses the word "heathendom" then they've probably got a christian viewpoint; thus remember to take some facts and claims with a pinch of salt, or two



np: finntroll - försvinn du som lyser

 

[Sumerian]

Yes, definitely read the Havamal.
"Praise day at even, a wife when dead,
a weapon when tried, a maid when married,
ice when 'tis crossed, and ale when 'tis drunk. "
http://www.pitt.edu/~dash/havamal.html
Also search and read anything by Snorri Sturluson. He is more of a historian, but it is very interesting.

 

[deth2naturalice]

The Icelandic Sagas are an entertaining read, although not really about the norse mythology, just about the vikings. It has many cool stories about driking and dueling and deeds of honour and such...

 

[wintermetalsmith]

The Icelandic Sagas are definitely a thing that should be read by all men. I have read the saga of Laxadral, Egil's saga, and the Saga of Vatnsdal. I like the sagas of Laxadral and Egil the most.
Kjartan (From the saga of Laxadral) is a great man that all vikings should look up to.
If you do not know who Kjartan is, read the saga in full. I would not only recommend it, I would charge anyone to read it who has not.

jesse

 

[gcele]

Moahahah, I bought all teh sagas at Extra Speciel Low Price this spring, and indeed they are extremely captivating. All is evil and good.