The Wanderer's Havamal

I love The Wanderer's Havamal. It provides a fascinating glimpse into the ethics of Vikings. Crawford's translation is crystal clear and his introduction is helpful in providing a foundation for understanding the poem.It almost reads like a sort of Viking book of scripture, laying out what a man should and shouldn't do. But the reader soon realizes that it never seems to be saying "you need to do this or that because regardless of the consequences to you it's the intrinsically moral action," it's more hard nosed than that. The Havamal told its readers what its author (or authors) thought would be beneficial to them in a very hard headed and practical way. One stanza provides advice on how to attack your enemy so you can take his stuff, another tells you how to milk a friendship for your own benefit when you don't actually trust the friend. Other stanzas include advice that a modern liberal reader can agree with. The mix is interesting. This book was written for people who had a very different culture, but are still recognizable in many ways.I also enjoyed The Cowboy's Havamal included at the end of the book. This poem puts the ideas of the Havamal into the language of Crawford's cowboy grandfather. It's funny how tweaking the language a bit makes the sometimes alien ideas included in the Old Norse Havamal seem more relatable.

I adore Professor Jackson Crawford. He is a language professor who teaches Old Norse and the Scandinavian languages. He personally went to the original documents and translated the sagas and Eddas himself and explains the way the words were used at the time. He is respectful and when he realizes after further study, he was in error in an earlier translation, he corrects it in a later one. (He did a correction in this book about a line in one of his translations in one of his previous books). To me, it shows he is a true educator, a true scholar. His true intention is instruction and knowledge for the students and not his ego, which only heightens my respect for him (which is pretty hard).I absolutely adore at the back of the book he does the "Cowboy Havamal"> His grandfather June Crawford used to give him advice similar to that of Odin's Words in the Havamal. Jackson would read the Havamal and hear it in his Grandfather's voice. He set his Grandfather's advice in order and style of the Havamal. It is delightful and shows the words of the Allfather are just as applicable today as they were in the Viking age accommodating for the changes in society (Sword/spear for guns). You can go to his youtube channel there are two versions of Jackson reading the Cowboy Havamal, my preference is the one in a Pony Express station.Once you have this book, you can go to Jackson Crawford's Youtube channel and chose the different youtube videos and listen to him read the Havamal and other parts of the sagas and Eddas in old Norse, discuss the culture and deepen your understanding of the culture, religion. It doesn't hurt that his voice is like melted chocolate either, I can listen to it for hours.

I don’t write very many reviews but this book just forced my hand! I highly recommend this for anyone who wishes to take a deep dive in the Havamal.

I am very new to Norse writing and the Icelandic sagas and Edda. I find this book fascinating. Well written by an expert ( I have read his other two books). And I love the English on one side It’s how I read Beowulf too. Thanks.

Perfect, EXACTLY what I was looking for. Old Norse with English translation next to it, paper is great quality, everything about this version is outstanding.

While all of Crawford's translations are superbly readable and poetic, this particular work will likely stand the test of time because of the brilliant introductory material and the parallel texts that allow the reader without a deep knowledge of Old Norse to dip his toes into that language. I remember being captivated for weeks on end by a parallel text of Beowulf in Anglo Saxon and in modern English. This is doing the same. Bravo! Can't wait for the next translation--I own them all.

I bought the book for students who were working on a Norse project and struggling to find readable translations online. This translation is beautiful and really readable for a modern audience. I'd especially recommend buying this volume if you know any young people who are interested in Norse myth or Vikings. The side-by-side old Norse and modern English is also really nicely formatted. I particularly liked The Cowboy Havamal: the poem reimagined as if Odin, its speaker, were a grizzled old cowboy. Having lived my entire life in the west, I can attest to the accuracy of the voice, and I found it delightful.

it's very easy to read (it has both the translated and untranslated on each page) and all it talks about is how to become a wise and well-versed person in the world and in the home. At the back of the book is a TL;DR version called "The Cowboy's Havamal", which reiterates the main points from the book but in a slightly more modern sense. All in all, i highly recommend this book to anyone and everyone, especially those (like myself) who are of the Asatru faith and want to get started.

Verse 38.Keep her guns close (Vikings, guns?)I don't care what they say, there ain't no tellin'when when there'll be call for 'em.An armed man has a shot.We are talking about Iceland not a trashy western.From his weapons on open land no man should step one place away; for it can't be known for certain, out on the road, when a man might have need of his spear.What no cowboy gun or agent orange?

Excellently written, excellently presented and superbly put together. I'll keep this handy for the rest of my life. Laws aren't always on your side but, common sense and the Vikings always will be haha. Superb book, thank you to the author!

Absolute must for fans of Scandinavian history and poetry, author is one of best ever specialists in the field. Great read!

Really good read, and the translation notes add a good insight.

Excellent love this book! Prompt delivery and great service