First runebook I've been able to fully stomach. What makes it
different to me( in the interests of full disclosure I will admit she is practically my neighbor and I know and like her very much) is the style and tone with which it was written. Her book helpfully sums up much of the content of other authors material, then offers her take, UPG, what have you, though it holds some weight with me since she has been working with these things for quite a while and seems to have a sensible and balanced take. While I respect anyone who has the guts and whatever else it takes to write a book, many of the other famous rune books have turned me off a lot due more to stylistic and authorial tone issues than anything else. I'd take a trip down to a bookstore and spend a bit of time with several of them and see what you think before purchasing. Caveat emptor, as always. I'm a really skeptical and cranky person when it comes to metaphysical speculation of any sort, and I think that Diana did a great job of it by keeping a sense of humor and humility: not qualities usually associated with this genre. As I said, spend a bit of time with a few of them in the bookstore and make up your own mind, but I think you'll walk home with this one.

Sorry, Folks, same title, same author, same publisher - it must be the same book. Ms. Paxson holds an honored position in the Asatru Community. Unfortunately, in my opinion, this book does not reflect the standing in the Community that her previous works have earned her.

Bad Vibes greeted me when I first noticed this book on the store shelves. Thick, printed on cheap newsprint (the kind that smells) - the glued spine will not survive repeated use that such a book should be subject to if it is a good one. For the price, 'Taking Up the Runes' is already in trouble.

On the cover, under the Author's name it reads 'Author of Ancestors of Avalon'. Why do I care what a fiction writer thinks about using Runes in spells, rituals, divination and magic? The bibliography lists Ms Paxson's books of fiction - apparently nothing from her work in the Troth or onIdunna or Hrafnar were applicable to 'Taking Up the Runes'.

The Rune working/meanings are drawn mostly from books by other authors, some way out of print, others not. The Rune spells are more Wiccan than Runic. (Wiccan in that they rely on invoking the appropriate diety, verbalize the virtues of the Rune involved, reinforced by tokens related to the meaning of the Rune - actions paralleling the Rune, not directly working with it. Runic working would invoke the appropriate diety, the sound, shape, meaning, and number directly.)

If you teach Rune Working, this book will be a requirement, due to the author's credentials, not the content. Name sells this book, not knowledge.

Sorry Folks, Ms Paxson is a forerunner in the Germanic Tradition - she is capable of better work than this.