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.

13 of 13 found the following review helpful:

A Work to Be Remembered  Mar 22, 2004

Most people that are familiar with Swain Wodening know him from his work with the Troth or the Ealdriht and his countless articles in Asatru and Germanic Heathen magazines and on the web. This is his first full length book, but you would not know it. While the book is specificly on Anglo-Saxon Heathenry, it is general enough to be used by anyone interested in truly authentic Germanic Heathen practice.

Each section is written in easy to read language with the familiar Old Norse terms, known to most Germanic Heathens, along side the Anglo-Saxon terms he uses for most of the book. Add to this frequent examples taken from the Eddas, rune poems, Icelandic sagas, and other works, and you have the book easiest for the modern novice in Germanic Heathenry to understand to come out in years.

He covers in depth, the concept of Wyrd, a topic rarely touched on in books about Germanic Heathenry as well as the virtues, gods, runes, and rites. His chapters on the rites of Heathenry are in depth, and each rite is carefully outlined.

Well researched, nearly all of this book comes from Germanic Heathen lore. "Hammer of the Gods" is not only for Anglo-Saxon Heathens, but anyone wishing to practice Asatru or any other form of Germanic Heathenry.

PS In the latest printing, of which my replacement copy is, all the typos have been edited out!!!

8 of 8 found the following review helpful:

One for the bookshelf  Jun 22, 2004
By dale overman
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!

7 of 7 found the following review helpful:

Good work  May 21, 2004

Swain has produced a good work. I wish he had access to a good editor. Maybe for the next printing? Still, worth the read.

12 of 14 found the following review helpful:

One of the Best Works Out There  May 27, 2004

It is pretty apparent that American Reiver has not read this book, or if so, did not pay much attention to the details of it. It is true, Mr. Wodening draws on Paul Bauchatz's work, but then Professor Bauchatz is a recognized academic whose research has not been greatly questioned. Indeed, it is now the accepted work on Wyrd by not just the modern Heathen community, but much of the academic community as well. There are its detractors, but there is with nearly every academic study.

As for drawing on Garman Lord, one only need to look at how Mr. Wodening views sacral kingship as opposed to how Mr. Lord does, and they will quickly realize that the views held by these two men on this topic are quite different. Mr. Lord tried to take the comitatus structure and run amok with it by addiing in divine right. Mr. Wodening's idea seems more family based with the sacral king being a much weaker figure, and secondary to the folk themselves. But then Mr. Wodening hardly even touches on the topic of sacral kingship, indeed his focus seems to be on worship of the Gods and the rites that accompany being Heathen. And his information on the Gods and the rites seems drawn directly from the lore, and if not that from existing scholarly opinion.

Another point, American Reiver seems to miss though is Mr. Wodening in his book does draw on surviving folklore. Much of the information on the holy tides seems to have been drawn from surviving practices. Anyone that has done any folklore studies can spot where Mr. Wodening got his ideas on the holy tides (not to mention in other parts of his book). Such things as Mummer's Plays come directly from surviving custom.

What Mr. Wodening did not base on modern folklore has been drawn from the elder sources themselves. Mr. Wodening makes extensive use of quoting passages of the lore. Unless one believes Mr. Wodening wrote some of the sagas or Eddas, one certainly cannot accuse him of making things up. There are few books out there with as many quotes. Indeed, it would seem American Reiver in his review is the only one here guilty of poor scholarship. One should at least read a book before reviewing it.

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