Icelandic Runes: A Brief History

by Teresa Drofn Freysdottir Njardvik

Before Latin writing systems and literary culture were introduced to the Nordic hemisphere, runes were widely used for writing. Their first appearance dates back to the 2nd century A.D. and their use stretches all the way up to the 1900s in some areas. In Iceland runes were used from the settlement age to the mid-19th century on special occasions. Iceland developed its own specific runic system, which has remained in use throughout the ages. This book offers the common reader a short overview that traces the runes' history and development, as well as their usage and cultural merits.

59 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 2018

Reviews

[Manuel Jiménez · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5. Un buen libro donde se nos da una pincelada sobre el uso histórico de las runas y los diferentes alfabetos que existen, si peca de algo es de falta de profundización en los temas.

[Christopher Fuchs · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very basic, tourist-level quick look at ancient, medieval, and modern runes. Good illustrations. Needs editing for repetitiveness and incomplete sentences.

[Charlie · Rating 3 out of 5]

It’s definitely an intro book for runes and their history & purpose in Iceland, but the book suffers from swim major editorial misses (grammar, punctuation, duplicate pages, etc.)

Otherwise, a meat, quick read to spark further study.

[One Foot in Iceland · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting intro but some text missing which was frustrating.

[Halldor Ari · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very quick read, some errors in sentences which should have been picked up before publishing. Not a bad insight for a quick insight to runes in Iceland

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brief but informative.