Listen free for 30 days
Listen with offer
-
The Layman’s Havamal
- A Modern Interpretation of Viking Age Wisdom
- Narrated by: Paul Begadon
- Length: 5 hrs and 51 mins
Failed to add items
Add to basket failed.
Add to wishlist failed.
Remove from wishlist failed.
Adding to library failed
Follow podcast failed
Unfollow podcast failed
99p for the first 3 months
The Layman’s Havamal
Buy Now for £14.99
No valid payment method on file.
We are sorry. We are not allowed to sell this product with the selected payment method
Listeners also enjoyed...
Summary
This book is an exploration of the wisdom in the Viking Age poem "Havamal", specifically as it relates to the average person who isn't a scholar of Old Norse, or even an enthusiast of Viking culture. This book is for the layman, the average person who simply wants to improve their life using proven advice. The poem "Havamal" is earthy, cynical, stoic, and grim in its depiction of human life. Havamal means “The Words of the High One”. The poem's speaker is none other than Odin, King of the Gods, who has traveled the many worlds seeking power and suffered greatly in his quest. Through suffering, he has won great wisdom, which he shares with us in this poem. Though the speaker of "Havamal" is a god, it was actually composed by human poets during the Viking and Medieval Ages. Therefore, the text's advice is not lofty and ethereal, like some other gnomic literature, but very human.
This book will interest people who want to live well in the modern world. The advice given in the poem is specific. For example: Keep your eyes open when you enter a gathering, because there could be enemies inside. But the wisdom behind the words can be extracted out and applied to more general situations, which is what the author has done for each of "Havamal"’s 164 verses. The Layman’s Havamal contains an original rendering of the poem into English and a complete analysis of each verse as it relates to modern life, in a way which is sure to improve your standing in this slippery world.
More from the same
Narrator
What listeners say about The Layman’s Havamal
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Anonymous User
- 28-02-24
An excellent insight into an age old idea
Paul Begadon provides a fantastic insight into this beautifully written and read poem; he provides a keen insight from a modern viewpoint, while incorporating charming metaphors and some good humour in the read. Thoroughly recommended.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- boyd Saunders
- 30-03-23
Great book
I've read (or listened ) to a couple of versions of the havamal. Usually I'm driving in my car or chilling in the bath and have found that the stanzas leave me behind a little when they cause my brain to go off on a tangent thinking about the meaning of the words. This book was great because every few lines the author stops to consider the meaning. So a great book for someone who wants to digest the havamal in sections. My only criticism is the point where the author says that woden (I'm english) takes fallen warriors to his hall which is slightly incorrect. Tha valkyries are sent by freya and she gets first pick of half the warriors. Only the finest of warriors go with one eye. However this is a pedantic point and doesn't detract from an excellent book. Bravo author
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Sam w
- 05-01-22
Great listen
a great read of a great translation of ancient wisdom reimagined for modern life, it was very insightful.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- martin mcnair
- 27-02-23
Words all should know
As someone with an interest and some knowledge of the mythology, I found this book very interesting, and honestly believe the havamal or at least a modernized version like this one (or minimum the teachings/essence) of it should be thought in schools
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall4 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Marian Tardy
- 12-11-22
Great study material
Great study material and intresting Outlook on the havamal. but sounded lill robot like,... so lost me at some parts.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall4 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story4 out of 5 stars
- Sian cunliffe
- 04-11-22
A good interpretation….
This is a great interpretation of the Havamal….
Great to be able to translate into the modern day and apply it to your own life….
Don’t agree with EVERY interpretation of a few verses…but 95% I would describe as accurate..(from my own interpretation)
However, it is clear to listen to, and easily understood….
Thank you to the Author.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Chris Healey
- 11-01-23
Enjoyable insight
Paul does an excellent job in his book in bringing to life one of the best known ancient European texts. Clearly enthusiastic about the source material he’s able to draw something useful out of even the more cryptic passages. He passes on some solid, nuanced advice & the format of the audiobook is very much in keeping with the oral tradition it draws from. Thought provoking throughout.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall4 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- T dog
- 28-09-23
Easily understandable Havamal
This book is great if you are getting your head into the old ways. It is old text put into modern day understanding, it’s so interesting that it still fits today! The author is very knowledgeable and has a great way about how he comes across. Great work!
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!