Rating: 
Summary: Edred Thorsson is *the* definitive Rune Master.
Review: An absolute must have for anyone serious into the study of Runic Magick! Edred may be dry, and scholary, but that is what is needed for serious study of the runes. Any book by Thorsson is highly recommended. If you can tolerate his arrogance, then you too can learn from the master, I have, and this is one of the first books I give to my students who are serious about the runes. Leave Ralph Blum for the airy-fairy, all-is-light, I-don't-care-what-the-facts-are, no-nothings.
Rating: 
Summary: A price must be paid for wisdom....
Review: An excellent book of rune lore and interpretation. My only criticm is that it doesn't emphacise the one central fact of rune reading: you have to pay a price for the gift. Odin hung upon the great world tree Yggdrasill , a sacrifice of himself, to himself, before he was shown the runes. It is one thing to merely read this and quite another to really grasp it. Have you hung suspended with your branches entwined in heaven and your roots deep in hell? What price have you paid for wisdom? Odin gave an eye. Odin sacrificed his warriorhood and manhood by initiation into the deep seidr-magic. What price have you paid? How are you connected to the great hidden currents that rule the runes?
Are you called to offer all for the gift, or are you playing a game?
Rating:
Summary: Thorsson is one of the best authors of Runic study.
Review: Edred Thorsson doesn't create an aire of mystery and "can't touch" like so many others have. And he keeps his facts straight from one book to the other. Giving a concise history and explaination of the Runes, from their earliest uses and possible uses to the Third Reich in his other book, Rune Might. Definately, if you are interested in studying the Runes and don't want the flotsum of someone who doesn't have all the facts, then by all means, read his books. They give you practical understanding that goes beyond surface information
Rating:
Summary: Serious and scholarly book
Review: Edred Thorsson is one of the foremost experts I know in rune magic. His book is scholarly and very well fundamented. His knowledge and understanding of Norse and Germanic languages, mythology and cosmology is made clear in this book, which deals mainly with runic archetypes and runic talismans. In this book you will find interesting and profound rituals/meditations to attune yourself to the runic archetypes and memes. THIS BOOK DOES NOT INCLUDE DIVINATION TECHNIQUES, which I find a positive point, just as a good book on astrology should not include 'general' horoscopes.
Rating: 
Summary: A richness of facts neatly lined up, a poverty of humility..
Review: Fascinating book. Reminds me a bit of the people who write about native american religion without actually taking the time to talk to some natives.
Rating:
Summary: no BS
Review: I love the fact that the author does not fall into the trap that many other authors do regarding the runes, that is, trying to please the "fluff-bunnies" of the pagan community. He presents this ancient practice in the context of the time and culture in which it was practiced, namely the periods immediately before, during, and after the Viking/Germanic expansions in a time of brave warriors, powerful kings, and wise, holy people. The runic system is designed for people who want to take control of their lives and the forces around them to do so. You will not find "peace, love, and vegetarianism" in this work. You will find self confidence, personal power, and conectedness to all things in the multiverse. Is that what you want? Then buy this book.
Rating:
Summary: A good foundation for runic study
Review: This book is a classic of runeology and an excellent primer for those interrested in rune magic. The translations and meanings are on target. The exercises are good, and explinations of rune magic make it understandable.However, Edred Thorsson has a rather dry, dull writing style that does make the good content difficult to follow at times, and it drags.
Rating:
Summary: THE KEY TO WHAT'S BEHIND THE FIRST DOOR
Review: This book is REQUIRED READING for those who would dare seek true knowledge of the runes. Other books purporting to reveal the mysteries of the runes are best left to the New Agers -- this is the real deal. Be advised that even though this "introductory" text is "for beginners," it is only for those who truely wish to KNOW. There is no mass-market fluff here! Although I am not entirely in agreement with the teachings of Mister Flowers (Thorsson) and the Rune-Guild, this is, by far, the best book I've seen on the subject matter . . . better even than "Thorsson's" later books for more advanced studies. He has written a number of books on the runes, and, even though I have a working knowledge of runelore myself, a few of them were difficult to read. Fortunately, "Futhark" is not one of them. The only real criticism I have is that, personally, I find the concept of "runic postures" rather silly. Visualize them, carve them, stain them with your blood -- but don't go striking a pose! Aside from that, this was an excellent book, and I recommend it highly.
Rating:
Summary: THE KEY TO WHAT'S BEHIND THE FIRST DOOR
Review: This book is REQUIRED READING for those who would dare seek true knowledge of the runes. Other books purporting to reveal the mysteries of the runes are best left to the New Agers -- this is the real deal. Be advised that even though this "introductory" text is "for beginners," it is only for those who truely wish to KNOW. There is no mass-market fluff here! Although I am not entirely in agreement with the teachings of Mister Flowers (Thorsson) and the Rune-Guild, this is, by far, the best book I've seen on the subject matter . . . better even than "Thorsson's" later books for more advanced studies. He has written a number of books on the runes, and, even though I have a working knowledge of runelore myself, a few of them were difficult to read. Fortunately, "Futhark" is not one of them. The only real criticism I have is that, personally, I find the concept of "runic postures" rather silly. Visualize them, carve them, stain them with your blood -- but don't go striking a pose! Aside from that, this was an excellent book, and I recommend it highly.
Rating:
Summary: A Must Have for any serious study of the Runes
Review: This is one of the best books written about the runes. It is a most own book!
|
