Gróa's Top Nine Heathen Books
Because my "List of Recommended Heathen Reading" keeps
getting longer, I've put together a shorter list to in an effort to
help someone who is brand-new to all of this and doesn't know where
to start. Let's begin with the
Top Three Books for the Neophyte Heathen
Kevin Crossley-Holland, The Norse Myths: Gods of the Vikings.
Modern retelling of the Norse myths. Beautifully written and accurate.
Penguin; ISBN 0-14-00.6056-1.
Snorri Sturluson, Edda, translated by Anthony Faulkes. Written
by a 13th-century Icelander, this invaluable work contains much of the
surviving information about Norse mythology. Everyman's Library, J.M.
Dent & Sons Ltd: London; ISBN 0-460-87185-4.
The Poetic Edda, translated by Carolyne Larrington. A collection
of medieval poems about Germanic gods and heroes. Many of the poems are
thought to date from heathen times. Oxford University Press: Oxford; ISBN
0-19-282383-3.
These three books will give you the basics of Norse mythology. The additional
books below will give you a broader perspective on Germanic culture and
religion.
Six More Books
Beowulf. The great epic poem of the Anglo-Saxons. Any recent verse
translation (there are several) should be fine.
H.R. Ellis Davidson, Gods and Myths of the Viking Age. Written
by an eminent scholar, this book is a good introduction to the academic
perspective on Norse religion. [Was previously published as Gods and Myths
of Northern Europe.] Bell Publishing: New York; ISBN 0-517-336448.
R.I. Page, Chronicles of the Vikings: Records, Memorials and Myths.
This anthology of Viking-Age writings is the best single source I know
of for getting a feel for the Norse world-view. British Museum Press:
London; ISBN 0-7141-0564-3.
Rudolf Simek, Dictionary of Northern Mythology; translated by
Angela Hall. Detailed entries, with references, on all aspects of Germanic
religion. An indispensable reference work. D.S. Brewer: Woodbridge, Suffolk;
ISBN 0-85991-513-1.
Snorri Sturluson, Heimskringla: History of the Kings of Norway;
translated by Lee M. Hollander. This tome contains several sections that
reveal heathen practices or beliefs. University of Texas Press: Austin;
ISBN 0-292-73061-6.
Tacitus, The Agricola and the Germania, translated by H. Mattingly.
Best primary source for the beliefs of the early Germanic tribes. Penguin.