Textual Scholarship on Aryan Legend & Religion

Important, fascinating, useful. Pagan rituals and deities, masked holidays, Atlantis, Shambala, Hyperborea. What's left? Not much.

The authors do a wonderful job of leaving no stone unturned as they rifle through the existing scholarship, including both hot and lukewarm trails, spinoff cultures, and the connections that make a book like this tantalizing. Moreover, Odin's characteristics are not neglected, which turns out to be the rug that ties the room together.

Siman Vance does an outstanding job as narrator for this book, having somehow the perfect voice, tone and accent to pull it off without ever seeming to be mechanical or dry.

9 people found this helpful

Mostly fringe

I was expecting a more scientific and edifying exploration of concepts of “the north” in culture, literature, and music. Instead, this was a slog through fringe theories of lost civilizations, mysterious structures and neopagan beliefs. (Though I appreciated the fairly even handed review of how these threads link up to creepy neonazi, nationalist, and white supremacist groups in many nations today). Not recommended for the serious scholar or serious hobbyist of Norse and boreal cultures.

4 people found this helpful

Will be listening again

This book was an overview that wandered far and near. As a condensation of, and introduction to, Nordic mysticism and Nordic mythology (not a run down of the gods that we all pretty much know, but how they have ebbed and flowed in followers) a lot of ground was covered.

I found myself wishing I had taken notes of all of the various sources mentioned so that I could review them, thus my need to relisten to this book. Some sources seemed credible, others seemed to come out of fringe history. That said there wasn't a lot of value judgement placed on the sources, leaving it up to the listener to do their own research and form their own opinion.

What I really loved was the last chapter that covered the Nordic and "neoNordic" music and their influences starting with Led Zeppelin. Happily my very favorite band, Sigur Rós was mentioned. Other bands from the Faroe Islands, Germany, Scandinavia, and elsewhere have given me some new music to checkout.

Simon Vance is an excellent narrator. I pretty much always enjoy his reading.

4 people found this helpful

Here there be some serious crackpot ideas

In the first few chapters "collective" human memory and Atlantian myths are front and center. of you're a fan of Bigfoot, Area 51 stories, and legends of the Lochness Monster, this is probably right up your ally. If you're more into actual history, avoid this book.

3 people found this helpful

exciting

first i was unsure if I would like the subject matter. but this author commanded organization and put something ethereal into perspective. We covered geographic, ethnic, time sequences, and science. chapters were defined in ecopy and title (unlike other books 'title 1, chapter 2')
it's like a professor or instructor...they can make or break the student in presentation. ive got a new realm of interest in folklore and origin stories.

2 people found this helpful

Intricate, beautifully written, scholarly

Not at all what I was expecting from the cover, but fascinating and thoroughly researched. Beautifully read by Simon Vance. Would recommend for those who like deep dives. Can't wait to listen again as soon as I finish. And glad to have the whole Easter bunny/Easter egg thing cleared up.

2 people found this helpful

heathens, history, occult, and...pop culture?

McIntosh does a killer job exploring "The Mystic North!"
Folklore, myths, legends, facts, geography, culture, spiritualilty, from past to present day- he does a really great job summing up the birth, death and revival of all things "viking"

1 person found this helpful

The research he’s presenting doesn’t seem that great

Especially in terms of Greek myths, it seems like he needs more sources. It doesn’t seem very credible to me.

1 person found this helpful

Thoroughly enjoyed it. Enough for a shadow of a doubt.

The Hyperboreans are rife with potential as what would go down as the all-time, ultimate conspiracy of a proto-civilization that spread its influence throughout Europe and Asia and beyond. The parts about language, gods, and mythical stories offer enough evidence to at least make you wonder. And it was narrated very well. Now, I am a history major and teacher, so this is in no way the accepted theory, but it is an outlier with a modicum of evidence. It is entertaining regardless of its veracity. Enjoyed it!

Meh

It reds like an encyclopedia. Endless facts listed, it’s not a story. Interesting for reference and introduction to topics but not well suited to narration.