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Michael P. Barnes
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Runes: a Handbook Illustrated Edition

by Michael P. Barnes (Author)
4.8 4.8 out of 5 stars 80 ratings
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Offers a full introduction to and survey of runes and runology: their history, how they were used, and their interpretation.

Runes, often considered magical symbols of mystery and power, are in fact an alphabetic form of writing. Derived from one or more Mediterranean prototypes, they were used by Germanic peoples to write different kinds of Germanic language, principally Anglo-Saxon and the various Scandinavian idioms, and were carved into stone, wood, bone, metal, and other hard surfaces; types of inscription range from memorials to the dead, through Christian prayers and everyday messages to crude graffiti. First reliably attested in the second century AD, runes were in due course supplanted by the roman alphabet, though in Anglo-Saxon England they continued in use until the early eleventh century, inScandinavia until the fifteenth (and later still in one or two outlying areas).
This book provides an accessible, general account of runes and runic writing from their inception to their final demise. It also covers modern uses of runes, and deals with such topics as encoded texts, rune names, how runic inscriptions were made, runological method, and the history of runic research. A final chapter explains where those keen to see runic inscriptions can most easily find them.

Professor MICHAEL P, BARNES is Emeritus Professor of Scandinavian Studies, University College London.
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Previous page
  1. ISBN-10
    1843837781
  2. ISBN-13
    978-1843837787
  3. Edition
    Illustrated
  4. Publisher
    Boydell Press
  5. Publication date
    September 20, 2012
  6. Language
    English
  7. Dimensions
    7 x 0.75 x 9.75 inches
  8. Print length
    256 pages
  9. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Review

A clear and authoritative textbook as well as an attractive, amply illustrated, and well-made artifact. It is written in an accessible style that nevertheless does not oversimplify. Michael Barnes has set a new standard, providing us with a clear and dedicated textbook for teaching the study of runes. ― STUDIES IN MEDIEVAL AND RENAISSANCE TEACHING

Barnes has succeeded in systematizing for students an elusive body of knowledge, and models...a careful, logical approach. ― MEDIEVAL REVIEW

Extremely welcome [and] likely to attract an international readership. The book covers essential aspects of runology and it provides us with a succinct research overview. ― NOWELE

An accessible and useful introduction to the topic. ― YEARS WORK IN ENGLISH STUDIES

Provides students with an introduction to the topic which is both accessible and erudite. It brings the reader up to date on current issues in the discipline and demonstrates the concern with methodological rigour for which its author is well known. ― HISTORY

Not only a handbook but a textbook for the study of runes. ― CHOICE

A prudently structured, lucidly written, and judiciously reasoned overview of a subject that has engendered much divisiveness among experts. [...] A first-rate contribution. ― ANGLIA

[An] immaculately produced book. [...] This book is both a pioneering textbook of runic studies and a reference resource on runes, thus serving the needs of students of language studies, medieval history and cultural matters, and the just plain curious. ― REFERENCE REVIEWS

Overall, the book is abundant in interesting material, well-written, and.is a rare reliable source on this often overdramatized aspect of our field. ― COMITATUS

An immaculately scholarly and notably rational introduction to runology. [It] tells the reader everything he or she needs to know about runes and how to study them. It will be invaluable to students. ― TIMES LITERARY SUPPLEMENT

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Boydell Press; Illustrated edition (September 20, 2012)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 256 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1843837781
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1843837787
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.27 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 7 x 0.75 x 9.75 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.8 4.8 out of 5 stars 80 ratings

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Michael P. Barnes

Michael P. Barnes

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Customer reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars
4.8 out of 5
80 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

John Hijatt
5.0 out of 5 stars Great information on runes!
Reviewed in the United States on July 8, 2023
Verified Purchase
It’s great to have this in a more affordable and accessible way. Great amount of historical information as well as not shutting the door in the magical and divinational use of runes today.

This information is arranged in good topical chapters and organized in easy to find layout.

A great resource for those wanting to get the “back story” of runes.
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Great knowledge
Reviewed in the United States on February 19, 2023
Verified Purchase
This book is a wonderful book about the historical Runes and the actual language it is. I have enjoyed learning more about them from this book and if you are a student of history this is a must in your library.
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J. Schwartz
5.0 out of 5 stars Very interesting
Reviewed in the United States on August 7, 2020
Verified Purchase
Great intro to tunes; historical not about magic.
6 people found this helpful
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Lee
5.0 out of 5 stars Just the Facts
Reviewed in the United States on May 23, 2014
Verified Purchase
Excellent overview for the english reader that knows no Old Norse . This is not New Age Heathenery . But what schollars have found out concerning the Runes , Includes an excellent bibliography . Recommended by Lee.
16 people found this helpful
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Scott H.
5.0 out of 5 stars Thanks
Reviewed in the United States on October 4, 2019
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Thanks
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Jean Blackwell
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in the United States on June 19, 2017
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My Husband loves his new book
One person found this helpful
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Jane T. Sibley
5.0 out of 5 stars A Runological "Must Have"
Reviewed in the United States on December 29, 2012
Michael Barnes is one of the stars in the modern runological world, and this book is witness to that fact. He is detailed, has solid documentation, and isn't one for speculative runological fiction or post-Victorian period imagination and occultism. "Just the facts, ma'm, just the facts". But he also explores the world wherein runes were used; the whys, how, when, where. I teach runology in medieval re-enactment "universities" (which are very informal indeed), and I now add this book to my reading list; the only other one on my list for years has been RI Page, "Runes: Reading the Past". It's a pricey book, but I parted with that $80 upon seeing who wrote it, and am so glad I did. If you are serious about rune use in period, this should be at the head of your "I want it!!!" list.
13 people found this helpful
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Frodi Ingsson
4.0 out of 5 stars An academic book with an artistic eye
Reviewed in the United States on May 28, 2017
For the academically inclined, Runes: A Handbook is for you. While Barnes acknowledges the Runes were used in spells and magical formulas he definitively rejects the belief that the Runes are “imbued with magic powers (8).

For the magically inclined reader, don’t let this deter you from picking up the book. Barnes does a spectacular job of laying out the historical contexts of the Runes from the scholarly world. Far better, I dare say, than Eliot or Page. Not only does he have more to work with, but his references are amazing.

Barnes does a superb job of offering academically sound information in bit size chapters. Rather than be overwhelmed with date, archeological finds, prevailing arguments and counter-arguments, he gives us the basic information with the necessary references to look up what suits our fancy.

Unlike other academic histories on Runes that tediously talk about one find after another, Barnes spends most of his effort on artistically breaking down how they were used. For instance, when he talks about Runestones he goes over the differences between regions, the artistic flare, ornamental and stylistic approaches, stone shapes and fashions, placement, formulas, and so on (66-91). I really got the feel that Rune carvings were not carbon copies of each other, but rather, unique creations all their own.

This is a great addition to every Rune Library. If you don’t want to fork over the money though, I still suggest you get an interlibrary loan. It’s worth the read.
*********
Check out my books
 Rune Yoga: Staða & Galdr
Rune Correspondences by Frodi Ingsson
21 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

Andy Jarnside
5.0 out of 5 stars Great book
Reviewed in Canada on December 7, 2023
Verified Purchase
Great for beginners. It explains the history of runes and taught me many things I did not know. I now have a basic understanding and can understand what I am looking at when I see runes now. Before they were just markings. Odin hanged himself for 9 days to gain the wisdom and ability to understand runes.
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Sebastián Aírton
4.0 out of 5 stars Recommended by experts, this book's a must-read if you want to learn about runes
Reviewed in Mexico on June 8, 2022
Verified Purchase
After years of wanting this book but not being willing to get it due to the somewhat overpriced hardcover version, the recent release of the softcover finally allowed me to get my hands on this book without hurting my wallet that much, I must say, the wait was worth it: the book contains so much information for the amount of pages it has, the details shared in every page are quite illustrative & instructive and the images found within the book just increase the overall quality of the aforementioned.

Now, the bad news: I gave the softcover four stars because the quality of the book's paper feels cheaper than what it should be: as I changed pages during my read-through, I remained careful because I feared that being slightly rough by accident could tear a piece of paper from the page I was handling, this might sound as an exaggeration but it's not, the paper is thin enough that you're able to distinguish the text from one page to the other.
Customer image
Sebastián Aírton
4.0 out of 5 stars Recommended by experts, this book's a must-read if you want to learn about runes
Reviewed in Mexico on June 8, 2022
After years of wanting this book but not being willing to get it due to the somewhat overpriced hardcover version, the recent release of the softcover finally allowed me to get my hands on this book without hurting my wallet that much, I must say, the wait was worth it: the book contains so much information for the amount of pages it has, the details shared in every page are quite illustrative & instructive and the images found within the book just increase the overall quality of the aforementioned.

Now, the bad news: I gave the softcover four stars because the quality of the book's paper feels cheaper than what it should be: as I changed pages during my read-through, I remained careful because I feared that being slightly rough by accident could tear a piece of paper from the page I was handling, this might sound as an exaggeration but it's not, the paper is thin enough that you're able to distinguish the text from one page to the other.
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Valhalla Martial Arts
5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 10, 2023
Verified Purchase
Great book, very informative and accurate.
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Ms Sara E. Bastin
5.0 out of 5 stars The book you need for runes
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 22, 2022
Verified Purchase
The most comprehensive book out there for Runes
One person found this helpful
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Kari Wille Rekdal
5.0 out of 5 stars Covers most of the important issues in the field
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 3, 2013
Verified Purchase
This is a very thorough, very knowledgeable book on the field of runes. Runes were used in Norway for about 1500 years, so they are a very important part of norse history.
2 people found this helpful
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