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Asatru for Beginners
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15 of 18 people found the following review helpful
on April 15, 2010
Format: Kindle Edition
A tip of the hat to Erin Lale for her most excellent book, "Asatru for Beginners".

In 94 pages, Lale boils down information that is digestible, direct, and clear to newcomers, those casually interested in Asatru, or those on the Northern Path who have friends or relatives with whom they'd like to share more about their path but may not be sure where or how to start. She combines a succinct FAQ section, a section on the Lore of Asatru (also known as Heathenism), a history of Asatru from Ginnungagap to the present, the Gods and Goddesses are covered, social, political, and moral/ethical questions are addressed, and she does it all carefully, succinctly, and thoroughly in a very brief space. Also provided are book, internet, magazine, and group resources.

"Asatru for Beginners" is a not substitute for reading the Lore or a substitute for reading more deeply in history, archaeology, runology, linguistics, metaphysics or philosophy. This is a first-rate primer that can put the reader on the road to finding more information for him/herself rather than (as many of us have had to do in the past) coming across books and, without any guide or pathfinder, hoping that they were neither New Age nor right wing.

That's exactly what this book is: a pathfinder.

This is truly a remarkable accomplishment, and a book that newcomers or the casually interested will find of immense value. I wish I had had access to this title five years ago; it would have saved me a great deal of time and money and confusion. If the Gods have called to you or if you're seeking Them, if you have a friend on the Northern Path and would like to know what it's all about, or if you're interested in one of the many polytheistic traditions now alive and well in the United States, England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Iceland, continental Europe, Australia, and other parts of the world, this is certainly a book to consult.

Amazon is offering the Kindle version of this title. This review is based on the paperback version of this title, which can be ordered from [...]

Many thanks, Erin Lale, and congratulations on a book that conveys so much so briefly.
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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
on February 27, 2014
Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase
For the curious and the new, Erin Lale's "Asatru For Beginners" is the place to start.

Erin Lale does not waste your time, talk down to you, or brandish jargon; but, I should stress this is an introduction, an overview, of Asatru, and not a comprehensive treatise. Lale addresses many common questions, the history of Asatru, common beliefs, and the state and goings-on of modern Asatru in general in a very accessible way with clear examples.

The Kindle formatted book is easy to read, though my edition does not include links in the table of contents, which is rather minor.

In my opinion, Erin Lale's "Asatru For Beginners" and Greg Shetler's "Living Asatru" are the two essential introductions to read for those new to, or curious about, Asatru and Heathenry before delving deeper into things like the Sagas and Eddas or, say, Tacitus; showing up to a blot; or signing up on Asatru Lore.
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9 of 11 people found the following review helpful
on June 10, 2011
Format: Paperback
This is a very interesting little book on Asatru. Erin Lale is a good writer, and her book is easy to follow. She has done a fine job of introducing the reader to her version of Asatru. I am glad Erin is very open about her Libertarian political views, and she openly combines her politics into her view of Asatru. Too many Asatru preach about keeping politics out of Asatru, while at the same time they promote a very dogmatic political view. Erin is refreshingly honest.

Erin Lale gives us an Asatru FAQs, a history of Asatru, an overview of the Gods and other beings, her Libertarian beliefs and morality, a section on rituals as well as magic.

All in all, a good little book.

Wyatt Kaldenberg, author of
Odinism: The Religion of Our Germanic
Ancestors In the Modern World,
Odinism: Inside the Belly of the Beast,
Odinism In The Age of Man,
as well as
Perceived Heathenism & Odinic Prayer
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
on January 25, 2013
Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase
Good info for first time delvers. It is a little skimpy. It was useful. I was a bit disappointed that it really didn't give me more than I could glean from the internet.
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
on December 26, 2012
Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase
I was expecting something more after reading this book. I feel the author could have spent more time and given us more information.
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
on May 29, 2014
Format: Kindle Edition
I'd been practicing for a couple years. I know the runes very well and still I found a lot of chew on in this book. It may be intended for beginners, but it is a solid book for a good foundation of practice.
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
on March 10, 2013
Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase
Formatting or more accurately the lack of formatting made reading this on my Kindle Fire more difficult than it needed to be.
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
on August 4, 2014
Format: Paperback
Very enjoyable read! :) I've started off as a Pagan, and than later discovered my path is more Lokean, however even after years of magickal study I somehow didn't even run across the term Asatru until about a year ago, and when I read up on it I tended to find the books hopelessly advanced or way to biased upon Odin or Thor, with little mention of anyone else. I wish I'd had this book when I first found the Heathen ways, there is a lot of excellent information here, lots of interesting details I never thought before and a lot of it was quite new to me. It's straightforward, simple and doesn't take any bias. I only wish it was longer and a bit more detail, as I am not craving more but as far as an intro I would say this is the best I've yet seen.
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5 of 6 people found the following review helpful
on February 11, 2011
Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
It was so easy to understand, I read it in one night. Excellent for beginners. I could read more books written by this author. My friend follows Asatru and I wanted to learn.
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
on January 5, 2013
Format: Paperback
Asatru For Beginners is a great staring point for those wanting to learn the heathen religion Asatru. Even if your not a beginner there is excellent information on every page. The Author Erin Lale gaves great answers in the Frequently asked Questions. She did her research for the chapter titled History, and her rituals are adapted for modern society.
Severed Ties
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