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Rating: 
Summary: A "must read" for the practitioner of Anglo-Saxon Heathenry.
Review: "Hammer of the Gods" is an outstanding book reflecting the true spirit of the Angles, Saxons, and Jutes. Though similar to their Norse cousins, here we are given an in-depth look at the tradition through the eyes of the ancient `Anglo-Saxons'.
Herein one finds a description of the Gods of the pantheon of the people: such as Woden, Thor, Frigga, and Heimdall.
We read of the Holy Tides - Yule, Eostre, Litha (Midsummer), Harvest, and Winterfylleth, etc.
We read of the Rites of Life, with ceremonies for birth, name giving, blot, symbel, oath, wedding, and funeral.
Learn of the Runes, runic meditation and divination, and how to make a runic talisman.
The author, Swain Wodening, has done excellence research, combined with 20+ years practical experience in Anglo-Saxon Heathenry, to produce a book that is a "must read" for anyone with an interest in these things.
Rating: 
Summary: More of the same old...
Review: After reading this I scratched my head and wondered..there is absolutley nothing here that I havent read somewhere else.Much of it seems to be based on two sources which have been questioned on their authenticity.
The first is the well and the tree by Paul Bauchatz .. the other is "Garman Lord".
Swain wodening seems to be adept at following the example by of the previous two authors I mentioned.That is, he can squeeze a square in a circle and say it fits.There are some serious flaws in his research -mainly the relaince on the notion of sacral kingship- History has preserved many of our cultural traditions.Its not to hard to look at folk culture and see the answers.The Old gods may be gone-but many of the concepts have remained.
The "Theodisc" movement and much of Heathenry has failed to grasp this.Instead writers such as Wodening seem helbent on "reviving" a fantasy ideology and in some cases making things up to fit into his case.
overall Poor scholarship... more akin to David Koresh and his interpetation of the bible then an actual scholars.Heathenry will continue to be a fringe cult of SCA rejects, D & D freaks and Neo Nazis as long as works like this are routinely accpted as authentic.
Rating:
Summary: Literary Criticism or 'book-size' envy?
Review: For the record, which criticism of Bauschatz might this person be referring to? I am not currently aware of any, though I can offhand think of several academic works that reference his work on numerous occasions as generally accepted (North,Richard "Wyrd and weard ealuscearen in Beowulf" [1992]; Glosecki, "Shamanism and Old English Poetry" [1989]; etc.) There is no post Bauscatz criticism and the LAST criticism of the conceptions underlying Bauscatz theories was Dorothy Whitlock who asserted (now here is a theory related to Wyrd that has been challanged and disregarded!) that Wyrd was a Christian literary abstraction. Another thing that this person has missed is that Swain's book is introductory in nature and does not claim to be anything else. Also, the utter rejection of Anglian sacral kingship; I wonder what this is based upon? The Koresh reference makes me think that this might be more a personal reaction to something rather than an informed literary one. I mean, please, D. H. Green anyone? Perhaps you might care to join us on one of the Ealdrihts group serves and enlighten us with your perceptions of the lore and it's interpretation by fascists and gamer geeks.....
Rating:
Summary: very good book
Review: I, Michael L. Rayborn, did NOT write that reveiw below. Despite my known interest in the reavers of Northumbria (which is where my ancestors came from), I am not the only person in the Heathen movement that is interested in that. I do NOT agree with what the reveiwer wrote below as I have always enjoyed Swain Wodenings works and direct everyone interested in the Anglo Saxon Way to his website www.ealdriht.org . All of his works are very researched and I would not even dream of detracting anyone from them. Bottom line.
I highly recommend this book.
Rating:
Summary: A thorough resource for modern Heathens
Review: In Hammer of the Gods, Swain Wodening explores and explaines the practices of modern Heathenry. Anglo-Saxon heathenry is the main focus, however this book is also a valuable resource to Asatruar, and Theodish Heathens. The Thews and Virtues of Heathenry are well explained, and refrences given from the lore and historical sources in many relevant pasages. The focus on the Thewes and Virtues is important in the practice of Heathenry, as well as proper behavior within group settings in honoring of our Gods.The Gods and Goddesses are well explained, refrences are quoted to give background to how each God and Goddess was viewed historically, and how one would apply approaches in modern day life. Good explinations of the celebrations and ceremonies which accompany the Holy Tides of the year, and Blots to individual Deities are well presented. A newcomer to the ways of Heathenry would do well to purchace this book as a guide in thier practice, as would someone who has been Heathen for many years find information of good use and insight. Blot, Husel, Symbel, Oaths, Boasts, setting of Sacred Space, use of ritual tools, and the Runes are also thoroughly explained. Hammer of the Gods also includes information about modern Heathen Movements and Societies, which is helpful for newcomers in finding information which will speed them on thier journey of learning and study of the Gods and Goddesses. The complete bibliography in the back is also a good source for starting your own library of sources for learning. In all, Swain Wodening has brought us an important work avalible to all on the practice of Heathenry. Much more than just a basic book, or only specailised in one or two areas like most now avalible, Hammer of the Gods is one of the most thorough works on the market today about the practices, beliefs, and application of the ancient ways.
Rating:
Summary: One for the bookshelf
Review: One of the few truly excellent books written on the subject in many years! It covers more than the basics of germanic and anglo-saxon religion. With many books out of print on germanic religion. I would urge buying this one and keeping it!
Rating: 
Summary: Good work
Review: Swain has produced a good work. I wish he had access to a good editor. Maybe for the next printing? Still, worth the read.
Rating:
Summary: One of the Best Works Out There
Review: Swain Wodening has done a supreme effort with "Hammer of the Gods." It is the only work I have read that gives an indepth look into Heathen beliefs in Wyrd, the sacred, the holy, and many other concepts. Not only does it give a look into Germanic Heathen beliefs that one normally would not see, but he also covers many rites not readily available such as weddings, namings, and even sauna rites, and altar dedications. Finally, the section on Þeodisc Geleafa, while I had hoped for more detail, is still quite informative. BTW, while I understand early printings had typographical errors, i could only find one in mine (which is a fairly recent printing).
Rating:
Summary: One of the Best Works Out There
Review: There is a man called Swain Wodening. He is an Aetheling in the Angelseaxisce Ealdriht. Here is a name almost everyone, who participates in the greater Heathen community, has heard of. His reputation almost always includes words such as Anglo Saxon Heathen, the cofounder of the Angelseaxisce Ealdriht, Heathen community builder, father, husband and Anglo Saxon lore master. He has written several booklet's and uncountable essays on Heathenry. They are always grounded in our lore and never in fantasy land. The one thing that has been missing in his works on Heathenry is a complete, easily readable, applicable to today's life and yet never dumbed down book on Anglo Saxon Heathenry. Until now, that is. Swain has finally had his book about modern Anglo Saxon Heathenry, called Hammer of the Gods, published. This book has been long awaited by the Heathen community and is being sold by Booksurge and Amazon.com. It is a book which is very reasonably priced and is affordable to those on a thrifty budget. After reading the book you will find it is more than worth the $19.99 it is listed as. It is a meaty 243 pages including an index and appendix. If you are new to Heathenry and need a good solid basic book on Heathenry or Asatru, here it is. While it is Anglo Saxon, it is certainly applicable to Asatru as well. If you are an old hand, this is still definitely for you. It delves into the Anglo Saxon realm of Heathenry and will look into subjects not usually seen in a basic book. It has pages on Heathen virtues and thews such as boldness, courage, troth and hospitality. It goes into each of these and many other virtues bringing them to life. Swain has himself shown courage in his book by touching upon such important subjects as the Sacred and the Holy as well as Frith, Innersgarth and Spae. These are subjects most other basic books are too worried about explaining to touch, yet they are so important to understanding Heathenry that Swain has tackled them and presented them to us in clear succinct terms. Also included in Hammer of the Gods is a written timeline of Anglo Saxon Heathenry, past and present, as well as a comprehensive list of some of our major Gods and Goddesses. He explains our worldview and other wights that inhabit those worlds. Holy days are not ignored and as he explains the dates and reasons behind the Holy days, he includes folk customs and traditions that surround these days. If you have never performed Blot, he gives an outline of what an Anglo Saxon Heathen would set the day up to be like. Including the Holy days timeline are the rites of Blot, Husel and Symble. Swain even approaches a good solid basic look at the runes and their use as well as other rites that may be used for life events such as weddings and naming ceremonies for new born Heathens. All in all, this book truly belongs on every Asatruar's, and especially Anglo Saxon Heathen's, library shelf. If you only buy one book on Heathenry this year, this is it. Swain Wodening's Hammer of the Gods. Information on the Angelseaxisce Ealdriht can be found here at http://ealdriht.org/
Wassail! Ron Branga Eþelæceres/Othala Acres
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