Modern Viking

In the autumn of 1911, an eye-watering mass of French citizens gathered around a churchyard in the heart of Rouen to celebrate the millennial anniversary of Normandy. A suspenseful hush fell over the congregation as a city official strode to the front of the crowd, placing his hands upon the large cloth draped over the mysterious statue. With a flick of his wrists, he unveiled an exquisite marble effigy of a handsome warrior. The statue was of none other than Rollo the Viking, father of the Duchy of Normandy.

Delving into the primary sources, Larson reveals the values, priorities, and goals of the Viking people and their gods. Norse Paganism, rooted in ancient practices and beliefs, thrives today, but not without adaptations. The difference between then and now is not a shift in core values. Instead, it is an evolution, acknowledging advances in science and social norms, to meet the needs of contemporary heathens. This book is a roadmap for how to live your best life based on the wisdom of Odin and others, as gleaned from myth and lore.