History and Lore

by Kveldúlf Hagan Gundarsson

Our Troth is the single most comprehensive book available on the reborn religion of Heathenry -- the pre-Christian religion of the Germanic peoples. First published in 1993 but out of print for years, Our Troth is back in print, featuring updates and additions from its original compiler, Kveldulf Gundarsson, and from many other Heathen writers, all edited by well-known author Diana L. Paxson. Volume 1 covers the history and lore of Heathen religion, from its deepest Stone Age roots to its flowering today, with information on the Gods, Goddesses, and other beings that receive honor and worship, and the ethics of being Heathen.

Genres: Religion, History, Spirituality, Paganism, Nonfiction, Mythology

584 pages, Paperback

First published April 27, 2006

Reviews

[Wilhelmina · Rating 2 out of 5]

Take everything with a grain of salt. It's useful from a Heathen perspective, but far from perfect. Also the writing quality varied- sometimes it was entertaining and other times it felt like I was never going to finish the chapter.

[Neil · Rating 1 out of 5]

Nonsense.

[Rob Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this is a good introduction to what Asatru is all about and what is commonly believed in this community. The authors have done an impressive amount of their homework about various gods, goddesses, and the historical background of where Asatru came from. It also effectively debunks the notion that there is anything inherently racist about this religion, explaining that white supremacists who display old heathen symbols are seriously distorting the old religion and do not speak for the community as a whole - even though there is a little sloppy scholarship where the book seriously downplays or steers around the fact that the Nazis actually did have a great fascination with all manner of occult or supernatural practices. This is something that has been documented by historical researchers who dig deeper than most are inclined to like Jim Marrs, Peter Levenda and Joseph Farrell. But again, that is no reflection on the well intentioned people who are drawn to any of those spiritual practices in general.

[Todd Keyser · Rating 3 out of 5]

The better of the two volumes as this one leans more to the scholarly side and less conjecture and unsupported opinions.

[david stenberg · Rating 2 out of 5]

I purchased and read the entire series. Very disappointing. While there was a plethora of accurate information, and some neat Old Norse charms, etc. it's just this weird, watered down, re-constructionist version of the old religion. Definitely worth a read, but not something to base a potent religious system on.

[Tim Peters · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wer sich hierzulande dem Thema moderne heidnische Religion oder „Ásatrú“ nähern möchte, hat es nicht leicht, geeignete Literatur zu finden. Die spärlichen akademischen Veröffentlichungen sind dem Laien eher schwer zugänglich und zeichnen oft ein verzerrtes Bild des Neuheidentums. Unter den Publikationen aus neuheidnischen Kreisen selbst findet man neben reichlich wunschträumerischer Esoterik zwar auch die eine oder andere Perle - aber ein wirklich umfassendes Grundlagenwerk lag bis dato nicht vor.

Für den anglo-amerikanischen Raum haben Kveldúlf Gundarsson und die Organisation The Troth mit der Herausgabe von „Our Troth“ hier unschätzbare Pionierarbeit geleistet. Ohne das Rad neu zu erfinden, hat Kurt Oertel als konkurrenzloser Kenner der Materie sich des Materials angenommen und es akribisch übersetzt, auf den neuesten Stand gebracht und, nicht zuletzt, an die hiesigen Verhältnisse angepasst.

Entstanden ist dabei ein optisch ansprechender Band, der inhaltlich so umfassend ist wie kein zweites Werk mit diesem speziellen Themenschwerpunkt. Der Bogen reicht dabei von den theoretischen Grundlagen – Archäologie, Geschichte, Mythologie – über die Wiederkehr heidnisch-religiöser Vorstellungen in der Neuzeit, bis hin zu einer Darstellung der aktuellen Situation des gelebten Heidentums international und insbesondere im deutschsprachigen Raum.

Hier finden Neugierige ohne jegliches Vorwissen ebenso wie lange praktizierende Ásatrú-Anhänger einen reichen Quell an Information. Der Text ist allgemein für jedermann verständlich, aber auch Angehörige der akademischen Zunft müssen die Lektüre nicht scheuen, steht er doch auf sicheren quellenkundlichen Füßen. „Ásatrú: Die Rückkehr der Götter“ ist damit zweifelsohne das lang ersehnte Standardwerk in Sachen neues Heidentum, an dem sich alle bisherigen und künftigen artverwandten Veröffentlichungen werden messen lassen müssen und das auf jeden Fall in keiner heidnischen Büchersammlung fehlen darf.

Falls sie wirklich jemals fort waren – dieses Buch beweist: Die alten Götter sind zurück!

[Siegbald TheReader · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book basically consists of two parts:
The first part is EXCELLENT work of historical background, and separated chapters of Gods/Deities/creatures the people of the Norse believed in. If it would be only this part, I would have given it 5 starts.

Then the second part of the book I mostly skipped...They basically tell you how you HAVE TO be a practitioner, according to them.
Without having any historical records of the rituals, assemblies, etc, they should be more carefull claiming what and how you HAVE TO do.

[Äsruþr Cyneaþsson · Rating 3 out of 5]

An amazing compilation of academic studies of Norse/Heathen mythology and revivalist religion. The text covers everything that either the newcomer to Heathenry or the well-verse and seasoned Asatruar may ever wish or need to know.

The assessment of the myths, symbolism and deities compiled here is likely to be the most well balanced and academically accurate that you are liable to find in any library.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

The absolute best book on Asatru out there! History, interpretations of the gods in modern times (with evidence from sources), and a wealth of information. If you or someone in your life is interested in the path of Asatru, this book - and it's second volume, 'Living the Troth' - is a fantastic and extremely helpful addition to your library.

[Candee Wadsworth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great background to Asatru. Very in depth