A no-nonsense guide to the Younger Futhark, the native alphabet of the Viking Age Scandinavians When reading source material on Old Norse mythology, one encounters frequent mention of the runes, the unique and utterly fascinating alphabet of the Viking Age Scandinavians.

Bearing practical and mystical messages, thousands of Viking Age runic inscriptions are known to us today and new discoveries are frequent. This beautiful edition provides an accessible but scholarship-focused introduction to the topic, featuring numerous illustrations by artist Jacqui Alberts Lund (alongside incredible archival photographs), discussion from philologist Joseph S. Hopkins, and an original introduction from noted academic John Lindow.