Runes: a Handbook

The internet is filled to the brim with shame books written by people with no background or knowledge of runes. Barnes is a legitimate academic runologist wit ha deep understanding of the subject. The book covers just about anything you could want to know about runes and their uses in history.

It’s great to have this in a more affordable and accessible way. Great amount of historical information as well as not shutting the door in the magical and divinational use of runes today.This information is arranged in good topical chapters and organized in easy to find layout.A great resource for those wanting to get the “back story” of runes.

This book is a wonderful book about the historical Runes and the actual language it is. I have enjoyed learning more about them from this book and if you are a student of history this is a must in your library.

Great intro to tunes; historical not about magic.

Excellent overview for the english reader that knows no Old Norse . This is not New Age Heathenery . But what schollars have found out concerning the Runes , Includes an excellent bibliography . Recommended by Lee.

Thanks

For the academically inclined, Runes: A Handbook is for you. While Barnes acknowledges the Runes were used in spells and magical formulas he definitively rejects the belief that the Runes are “imbued with magic powers (8).For the magically inclined reader, don’t let this deter you from picking up the book. Barnes does a spectacular job of laying out the historical contexts of the Runes from the scholarly world. Far better, I dare say, than Eliot or Page. Not only does he have more to work with, but his references are amazing.Barnes does a superb job of offering academically sound information in bit size chapters. Rather than be overwhelmed with date, archeological finds, prevailing arguments and counter-arguments, he gives us the basic information with the necessary references to look up what suits our fancy.Unlike other academic histories on Runes that tediously talk about one find after another, Barnes spends most of his effort on artistically breaking down how they were used. For instance, when he talks about Runestones he goes over the differences between regions, the artistic flare, ornamental and stylistic approaches, stone shapes and fashions, placement, formulas, and so on (66-91). I really got the feel that Rune carvings were not carbon copies of each other, but rather, unique creations all their own.This is a great addition to every Rune Library. If you don’t want to fork over the money though, I still suggest you get an interlibrary loan. It’s worth the read.*********Check out my booksRune Yoga: Staða & GaldrRune Correspondences by Frodi Ingsson

My Husband loves his new book