Introductory material

[Útrám]

Could anyone recommend some literature that serves as a comprehensive introduction to the basics of Germanic paganism? I'm looking for something of a neutral and objective tone, not peculiar to a particular sect, and of course not esoterica written in figurative language(like the Prose Edda). Even in the google age, I can't seem to find anything decent.

[Brännvin]

Have you read Saxo Grammaticus (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saxo_Grammaticus)?

His manner of presentation of Scandinavian mithology is more objective and less emotional, than Snorri Sturluson..

[Psychonaut]

The best single source that I can think of that is both scholarly and objective would be Myths and Symbols in Pagan Europe (http://www.amazon.com/Myths-Symbols-Pagan-Europe-Scandinavian/product-reviews/0815624417/ref=cm_cr_dp_hist_2?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=0&filterBy=addTwoStar) by H.R. Ellis Davidson. Davidson was one of the preeminent scholars on Germanic and Celtic religions, and nearly all of her works are classics in the field. She's probably the best source on what our ancestors actually believed and did.