Rating: 
Summary: My favorite Book of Runes
Review: I have used this book for years and been very happy with it. My original copy is falling apart from years of use and I came to Amazon in hopes of finding a new copy.
While it is true that there may be more scholarly books written on the subject of Runes, for my purpose, which is helpful guidance, I find this book to be the best choice. It is accurate and easy to understand and has proven to be an invaluable tool for myself, my family and friends.
Rating: 
Summary: A poor choice
Review: This book is a poor choice if you want historically accurate information for several reasons. First, Ralph Blunn uses the blank rune. This is not historically accurate, and was invented in the 1980's. It is basically embodying the 'Outlook cloudy, try again' answer of the 'Mystical' Eight-ball. Second, Blunn uses other divination tools such as the I-Ching to aquire the meaning of the runes. While I am not casting aspersions upon the validity of this method, it is like getting 2nd-hand news. Things come out differently. Third, Blunn adds things into the definitions of runes which never were there (and yes we can know, to a limited extent, how runes were read years ago thanks to the preservation of knowledge by Germanic monks and other sources) such as adding that the essence of the rune Mannaz is water. That would be Laguz. Mannaz is representative of humanity. But I suppose Blunn feels perfectly justified in changing things, because he made up a completely different order for the runic alphabet. He rarely if ever uses the term 'futhark', and always refers to the futhark as 'the runic alphabet' or better yet the 'Viking runes'. May I point out that the runes were used throughout Northern Europe and not just in Finland where the Vikings originated. And as to one of the more recent reviews statement that says something to the effect of 'who cares if its not accurate as long as it works', I respond that you could probably do just as well drawing Srabble letters and ascribe meanings to them. If you use the runes, use them correctly. I suggest that you go to a great website www.sunnyway.com/runes if you want to find out real information regarding this matter. THe tip of the iceberg of ignorance being revealed, I will finish with this: while it is good that Blunn attempted to bring the runes back into society as a positive force, he should have done more research. Instead of buying this book or its sequel 'The Healing Runes', go to www.sunnyway.com/runes. There is a list of better books about the futhark there, as well as a wealth of links and information.
Rating: 
Summary: Don't Know Why Others Have Attacked This Set
Review: Most of the reviews I read on this were good and so I chose to ignore the two really bad reviews and I'm glad I did. They complained that he "made it all up" but I don't see that - I have another rune book by Thorsson and I cross checked the meanings - OK so Blum says that the Ice rune means Standstill and the human/man rune means self. Well, come on people, it doesn't take a rocket scientist to see the similarities between the two "different" meanings. If one is going to be so dogmatic and hard set in their ways and interpretations then they've got no business consulting an oracle anyway IMHO since they are never going to have the ability to see past their own beliefs to what the universe is trying to communicate to them.
A few more points about the "historical accuracy" of this set. First of all, if anyone thinks that they can know for certain how the ancients consulted the runes they are deluded or arrogant or both. Secondly, this is NOW, that was THEN and if we choose to modify the system to make it more accessable to our modern minds then I see no harm in it, especially since his modifications aren't really all that far off base. And lastly, but not least, the only truely important thing about ANY divinitory system or method is that it works, that it allows the user to access universal knowledge within themselves. It doesn't matter if the system is ancient, modern or a mix of the two. So get off your high horses before you fall and hurt yourselves.
In closing, I like and enjoy the set and the book. I'm quite certain that it, like the many other forms of divination I use, will work just fine. It (and the others) are simply a means of stimulating my intuition and my intuition doesn't give a dang about the "historical accuracy" of what stimulates it.
Rating:
Summary: Cannot say enough bad things about Blum.
Review: This book is easy to review. Blum, simply, made up his information. There is no blank Rune, one. His meanings have no basis in the poetry and ancient practice, two. He changes the Rune order that is established based on every historical source we have for the Runes. In short, if you are looking for a serious book on the Runes that is grounded in archaeology, history, and received wisdom in the Heathen tradition, keep looking.
Rating:
Summary: A Terrible, Terrible Book
Review: I love this Rune Stone Set. The Runes are in Red--which is appropriate--and they are easy to work with. The book is a great Reference Guide, for Beginners. I Also suggest : <ASIN: 0877286671> Technically, The Runes should be on Wood blocks or sticks, but this Rune Stone set works very well and is very easy to work-with. I could do without some of the Christian overtones of the Booklet that accompanies the set--because it is out of place, and not important to the subject--but, I think the author was trying to explain that the Runes work well when you are in-tune with Whatever God(dess) that you work with, and that a "Spiritual Path" (of some kind) is conducive and beneficial to tapping-into the Power of The Runes. This is certainly a great starter kit!
Rating:
Summary: SILLY AND INACCURATE
Review: I cannot recommend this text to anyone. It is rife with errors and idle speculation. Furthermore, the ceramic "rune stones" are of inferior quality (I've heard them disparagingly refered to as "Blum's mud cookies"). Do yourself a favor and pass this one by.
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