Does anyone have this book by Sue Brunning? I am looking to add it to my collection and was wondering what everyone's thoughts on it were? Is it worth it? I do have Records already and have The Sword, Form and Thought on order currently.

Thanks for asking this. I have no useful insights but am also interested in the responses. I've enjoyed some of her commentary on British Museum videos.

I went ahead and ordered the book today. I did some research online and found out some information that pushed me to order it.
Once it is in and I have had a chance to read through the book I will post my thoughts on it.
In the meantime, if anyone else gets it please feel free to chime in with your thoughts.

Scott,
Any follow up to this? How do you like the book? I'm curious about it. Thanks!

Me too!

Hello Chad and J.D. I have leafed through the book a few times since I received it. Unfortunately life hit hard and I have not had a chance to look at it for months. I just pulled it off the bookshelf after seeing your questions. I am not good at writing reviews, so please bear with me.

In addition to the introduction it is broken down in to 4 chapters, a very nice appendix with all of the swords and images in the book. This includes date, location as we as the key source.

The four chapters are Image, Archaeology, Text, and 'Living' Swords.

What I have read so far is well done and I do think that this book is worth it if yo are interested in how Anglo-Saxons looked at swords as well as examples. Now that life has settled down somewhat I will be moving this to the top of my read next pile.

If anyone has any questions I will be glad to try and answer to the best of my ability.

I have the book but didn't read much of it yet.

The book isn't very big (a bit over 200 pages) and it doesn't intend to be a catalogue of the body Anglo-Saxon swords.
Just saying, if you were looking for a overview of Anglo-Saxon swords (I was) you'll be a bit disappointed.

Instead, it looks at various aspects of these swords from a historical and archeological perspective.
From what I've read so far, it does a pretty good job at that.

Sue Brunning's ideas on wear patterns on sword hilts and how that may indicate how those swords (with often quite short and tiny grips) were held is very interesting and quite ground breaking.

The book itself is attractive and well-made although it could have benefitted from colour photos. Instead they are all greyscale, which is I think a pity, especially for the frequently lavishly decorated late Migration Age swords.

All in all I recommend buying the book, but I would not call it an absolute must-have.