The Layman’s Havamal

A Modern Interpretation of Viking Age Wisdom

By: Paul Begadon

Narrated by: Paul Begadon

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.

©2021 Paul Begadon (P)2021 Paul Begadon

Good take

Who would have known ancient poems could be so useful. The author uses a popular translation to give tin his own take on the poems words. It really provides modern context.

Great interpretation easy to assimilate

I truly enjoyed this book. The messages were clear and relatable. The layman interpretation to modern times was great will re-listen.

Truly the best rendition of the Havamal I've seen

For about twenty years i've been studying Asatrue and norse culture. In that time I have struggled finding a version of the half a mile that is true to the original as possible and doesn't push forward Either an anarchist or neo nazi tendency tendency. I love how the author uses multiple texts and religions throughout the world to compare The Hobbit miles words with other cultures. I think it fills it out and makes it easier to understand and relate it to everyone rather than dividing it from everyone the words of odin. Aren't meant to be exclusive? It's supposed to be inclusive for everyone to help all of us gain wisdom and insight into the world. And II feel that this version has done the best job. I give my sincere thanks to the author for this wonderful rendition of the hollow very much.

loved it!

I loved this so much! it has helped me understand in a much easier way than other books. I recommend to listen to this.

The way the Arthur simplifies the verses into modern day tech for breeders to be more comparable each verse

the book was very well written and easy to understand
the knowledge of the Arthur is absolutely amazing
I very much enjoyed being able to understand each verse in a way that makes sense