What is Reddit's opinion of The Poetic Edda (Oxford World's Classics Hardback Collection)?
From 3.5 billion Reddit comments

By popularity on Reddit, this product is:

#85 in Literary Criticism & Theory books

#11 in Norse & Icelandic Sagas books

8 reviews of this product found across Reddit:

Thanks so much! This is all uber useful. I know what I'll be reading this evening! So that's your personal blog, of sorts?

This is the copy of the Poetic Edda I was looking at. I'm not sure if that one is the "revised" edition.

it is worth bearing in mind that the havamal shouldnt be taken as a perfect piece or perfect rules to follow - a lot of it is (understandably) outdated and theres a considerable amount of awful things written about women in there. its best taken as helpful suggestions and not mandatory commandments you should unquestioningly live by. parts of it are definitely more helpful and applicable than others.

i have this copy of the poetic edda and its beautiful.

Honourable is subjective from culture to culture. Nothing in the original source material implies that only good people go to Valhalla.

The criteria for being brought to Valhǫll was being a deadly warrior. It's a common misconception and false equation with Christian heaven, that only "good" people get there. And that's a pretty anti-source material take. Judging by the internal logic of known Norse Mythology, there are probably plenty or murderers, rapers, and all around evil people there. You're a deadly warrior and a Nazi? I don't see a reason why Odin would object.

This Valhǫll = heaven opinion reads to me as Christians masquerading in a Marvel Comics/Pseudo-shamanistic/tribal aesthetic.

> How could someone go to Valhalla in these modern days?

This isn't a question for this subreddit, which is for discussion of Norse and Viking history, mythology, language, art and culture, so it's been removed. This is more of a modern new age spiritual question, so I suggest trying a more suitable subreddit for an answer like that. As I said, we have source material from history that tells us what kind of people were chosen, and I don't see why the criteria would change. All Odin cares about are collecting killers, he doesn't seem to care about anything else. He also isn't rewarding them, he doesn't care about his warriors, he only cares about surviving Ragnarok, which he is doomed to die in.

> I'm still not very well educated and i'm trying to do my research and learn more about this and the 9 realms in general.

The original source material doesn't say that there are only 9 realms in Norse mythology, and there's no canonical set of 9. Although the phrase "9 realms" pops up in the sagas and eddas, it never lists any specific 9. Norse mythology is riddled with widespread misconceptions like this.

If you have a really basic level understanding of Norse mythology a light place to begin could be Neil Gaiman's book, Norse Mythology. Especially his self-narrated audiobook. This book is an adaptation aimed at a younger audience (which of course doesn't mean that adults can't enjoy it), but it is a combination of stories from different sources, so it's not "accurate" in that sense. The book is very abridged, and not an exhaustive resource. Gaiman makes no claims on its historical accuracy, and fully accepts that the mistakes in the books are his and his alone, of which there are several factual mistakes and embellishments which will give you the wrong picture of the original source material.

Again, Neil Gaiman's purpose with this book isn't to stay completely true to the sources, and his book is very upfront about that, but if you're unfamiliar with the medieval sources, it will definitely cause a load of misunderstandings. It's good for entertainment, but less suited for learning. But if you're aware of that while you read it I think it can be a good stepping stone to reading the more accurate versions of the stories within.

If you want to start with a more accurate version of the Prose Edda, this is a good and free translation.

I would also start by looking at the r/Norse Reading list and other resources.

Here's some suggestions based on books most of the subreddit have read and recommend.

Carolyne Larrington's translation of the The Poetic Edda (An untitled collection of Old Norse anonymous poems, which is distinct from the Prose Edda written by Snorri Sturluson, another book you should read).
The Vikings: Third Edition by Else Roesdahl.
An Early Meal - A Viking Age Cookbook & Culinary Odyssey - (A combination of a textbook on Viking Age culinary practices and mouthwatering recipes based on archaeological finds and experimental archaeology).
Heimskringla History of the Kings of Norway by Snorri Sturluson
Anders Winroth’s The Conversion of Scandinavia: Vikings, Merchants, and Missionaries in the Remaking of Northern Europe

> Where can I find legitimate sources for symbols used by ancient Vikings

You can check out these two resources for traditional Norse and Germanic artwork.

Mimisbrunnr (A blog dedicated to developments in ancient Germanic studies.)
The Anatomy of Viking Art by Jonas Lau Markussen (Covering all the stylistic periods of Viking Age art, breaking down each style to its basic components in an easy to understand and straightforward manner.)

-And if you speak these three magic spells, our bot will provide you with more knowledge. This is a compilation of citations and sources on various subjects related to Old Norse Language, runes, and mythology.

"Automod! How do I start learning Old Norse?"

"Automod! How do I start learning about runes?"

"Automod! How do I start learning about Norse mythology?"

I would start by looking at the r/Norse Reading list and other resources.

For a light and poetic introduction to Norse myths I recommend Neil Gaiman's Norse Mythology. Especially his self-narrated audiobook. Be aware that this book is a combination of stories from different sources. It's abridged, and not an exhaustive resource. And Gaiman makes no claims on its historical accuracy, and fully accepts that the mistakes in the books are his and his alone. It is a retelling. But it's very entertaining, and can give you a good stepping stone to reading the more accurate versions of the stories within.

Carolyne Larrington's translation of the The Poetic Edda (An untitled collection of Old Norse anonymous poems, which is distinct from the Prose Edda written by Snorri Sturluson, another book you should read).
Mimisbrunnr (A blog dedicated to developments in ancient Germanic studies).
The Anatomy of Viking Art by Jonas Lau Markussen (Covering all the stylistic periods of Viking Age art, breaking down each style to its basic components in an easy to understand and straightforward manner).
Dr. Jackson Crawford (Real expertise in Norse language and myth, free of both ivory tower elitism and the agendas of self-appointed gurus).
The Welsh Viking (A PhD researcher, actor, and historical reenactor).

"Automod! How do I start learning Old Norse?"

"Automod! How do I start learning about runes?"

"Automod! How do I start learning about Norse mythology?"

And I'm only saying it like that because of our discussion on Flowers. I would just reevaluate your reading list, it's throwing up lots of red flags. There are so many good and trustworthy sources out there, you just have to find them. The other problem is that we know a fraction about Norse culture compared to so many other cultures. So much did not survive, or was never even chronicled. I like to say that picking this medieval historical culture to be interested in is like the worst option available, since we know the least about it compared to cultures like the Romans, Greeks, Egyptians etc.

Along with the general r/Norse Reading list and other resources, this is some stuff I recommend. I'm by no means an expert on anything, everything I've said has come from people I've learned from. I don't even study these subjects formally, like some other members of our Moderator team, and many other frequent contributors.

Carolyne Larrington's translation of the The Poetic Edda (An untitled collection of Old Norse anonymous poems, which is distinct from the Prose Edda written by Snorri Sturluson, another book you should read).
Heimskringla History of the Kings of Norway by Snorri Sturluson
An Early Meal - A Viking Age Cookbook & Culinary Odyssey - (A combination of a textbook on Viking Age culinary practices and mouthwatering recipes based on archaeological finds and experimental archaeology).
Mimisbrunnr (A blog dedicated to developments in ancient Germanic studies).
The Anatomy of Viking Art by Jonas Lau Markussen (Covering all the stylistic periods of Viking Age art, breaking down each style to its basic components in an easy to understand and straightforward manner).
Dr. Jackson Crawford (Real expertise in Norse language and myth, free of both ivory tower elitism and the agendas of self-appointed gurus).
The Welsh Viking (A PhD researcher, actor, and historical reenactor).
Kings and Generals is also quite good for military breakdowns.

"Automod! How do I start learning Old Norse?"

"Automod! How do I start learning about runes?"

"Automod! How do I start learning about Norse mythology?"

> I’ve been trying to study old Norse history, mythology, runes, religion and the more modern Ásatru

Just be aware, we are a history subreddit for discussion of Norse and Viking history, mythology, language, art and culture. We do not allow discussion of modern religious topics here.

> Rule 4. No modern religious topics. r/Norse is a sub for historical discussion. We ask that you post threads about modern religious practices in appropriate subs like r/heathenry, r/pagan etc.

> Why is it so hard to find easily obtained, straightforward, and accurate information online?

Here are some popular, trustworthy and accurate links and resources to start looking into-

r/Norse Reading list and other resources
The Poetic Edda by Carolyne Larrington (An untitled collection of Old Norse anonymous poems, which is distinct from the Prose Edda written by Snorri Sturluson, another book you should read).
Heimskringla History of the Kings of Norway by Snorri Sturluson
An Early Meal - A Viking Age Cookbook & Culinary Odyssey - (A combination of a textbook on Viking Age culinary practices and mouthwatering recipes based on archaeological finds and experimental archaeology).
Mimisbrunnr (A blog dedicated to developments in ancient Germanic studies).
The Anatomy of Viking Art by Jonas Lau Markussen (Covering all the stylistic periods of Viking Age art, breaking down each style to its basic components in an easy to understand and straightforward manner).
Jackson Crawford (Real expertise in Norse language and myth, free of both ivory tower elitism and the agendas of self-appointed gurus).
The Welsh Viking (A PhD researcher, actor, and historical reenactor).
Kings and Generals is also quite good.