Reading the Past

by R.I. Page

Book Overview

In Orkney, Shetland and the Scottish Islands, in Ireland, the Isle of Man and above all in Scandinavia, travelers still come upon great memorial stones, inscribed with the curious angular alphabet... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0520061144
• ISBN13: 9780520061149
• Release Date: June 1987
• Publisher: University of California Press
• Length: 64 Pages
• Weight: 0.43 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.2" x 6.7" x 9.5"

Customer Reviews

Quick & Dirty! No Fluff Allowed!

Runes, by R. I. Page A much needed and delightful deep breath of dank, musty & scholarly air! Amid the reek of incense, scented candles and personal conversations with the Gods, this book stands far above most of the books on Runes that are currently available. While a rather short work, Professor Page's no nonsense mastery of Runic history and characteristics is very refreshing. While I disagree with some of the Authors views on the mystic side of Runeology, his superior knowledge of runic history and interpretation cannot be dismissed or ignored. All and all a very informative, concise and historical look at the Runes. A must for anyone interested in Norse History, Mythology or Religion. I highly recommend it. In Frith, Spence the Elder "Sic gorgiamus allos subjectatos nunc" M. Addams

Essential Reading

For anyone interested in the runes for any reason, this book is invaluable. Although it has no esoteric focus, it does contain many important historical facts that will help you to recognise when the more popular authors are making it up, which is more often than you might think. Unfortunately, Page's books tend to be avoided by those interested in the esoteric side of the runes, merely because he does not subscribe to the more speculative theories of rune magic. This is a great shame, and would-be "rune-masters" do not do themselves any favours by shunning the painstaking research and detailed knowledge that Page has to offer. Surely, we are better off building on a sound footing of verified fact than starting off our studies from the shaky speculations of New-Age Gurus & cultists. Once you know the basic facts, speculate for yourself, you will then be just as qualified as any esoteric "authority" on runes. Page's books should be an indispensable part of any serious runic library. Sweyn Plowright author of The Rune Primer

No New-Age malarky here

While Page is a runic scholar and an historian, not a believer in the metaphysical aspects of runes, if you are serious about runelore you must have this in your collection. Only one who understands the historical, cultural and mythological background to the runes can be a true rune-master.

A "must" for anyone interested in runes!

Raymond Ian Page is one of the world's great runologists. Here, in an inexpensive book, he has done a superlative job of presenting a thumbnail history of runes. *This is Not New Age Material*!!! Therefore, I recommend this book especially to any New Ager "Out There", so that you can see what was historical reality and fact about these fascinating characters. Were I to teach a college/university course on runes, this would be a required textbook!