Very nice, understandably written introduction to Norse Paganism. Paxson's book covers a great deal of information in a short period of time. As an introduction to Asatru it does have all the essentials. I won't retread the points that most of reviewers have already covered.
Probably the most useful section of the book to me was, "Toasts, Boasts & Oaths". For those of you who are new to Norse Paganism, the section on , "Surviving Your First Heathen Event", is an absolute must read. Additionally the, "Asatru and Wicca", section drew some distinctions between the faiths and will give the novice some pat answers to often asked questions..
I rather liked the, "Heathen Holy Days", section and disagree with the reviewer who stated that they were "Wiccan with a few Asatru concepts grudgingly allowed". The most widely recognized days were marked with a Volknot while other celebrations & commemorations are so blatantly obvious that no explanation was needed, i.e., Leif Eriksson Day & Columbus Day etc. If these holidays were influenced by Wiccan thought then why is there no Norse version Samhaim?
All and all yet another good introductory book on Asatru/Heathenism. Enough detail to get you more interested but not bored. Consider "Essential Asatru" as the Cliff's Notes to "Our Troth vol. I & II". This book and Krasskova's "Exploring the Northern Tradition" compliment each other well and will point newcomers in the right general direction. After that they, (the newcomers), should be able to figure things out on their own.
In Frith,
Spence
"Sic gorgiamus allos subjectatos nunc"
M. Addams