A history of the cult of the ancient Druids, exploring who they really were and what role they played in the Celtic world. The author's interpretation of the facts is based on both archaeological and etymological findings. Peter Berresford Ellis sifts through evidence and, with reference to the latest archaeological findings and the use of etymology, shows that the Druids have been subject to a swaythe of propaganda and myth-making through the centuries.
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"- 'Finally, a book that separates fact from mythology, telling us what we can and cannot know about the ancient Druids. This remarkable book by a leading historian of the Celts offers much for the academician as well as the general reader. Fascinating reading!' - Joseph A. King, author of Ireland to North America - 'Readable and well-researched... a useful guide...' - Count Nikolai Tolstoy, Times Higher Education Supplement
About the Author
Peter Berresford Ellis is the author of many books, including highly regarded works on Celtic history and culture. He is a Fellow of three Royal Societies in historical and antiquarian fields and the recipient of many awards and honours for his work.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
By Sontee
Format:Paperback
I was what you might refer to as a Druid virgin, i.e didn't know much about them at all. So I picked up this book with great interest and have enjoyed reading it. It is staggering the kind of similarities between the Druids and the Brahmins of India. There are also a whole lot of parallels between the socio-religious set up of the ancient Celts and the Ancient Hindus. I was staggered by the number of similarities. Was terribly disappointed though that the author got some of his Hindu mythological references wrong! Which has left me feeling if I can therefore believe the rest of the book...?!
11 of 12 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
This book gives a detailed and informative guide into how the ancient people, of ages long past, used to live with their 'religion' and why they practised it. It describes the everyday life and the rituals that the ancient people of the celtic race of Scotland, Ireland, England and Wales used to practice. It delves into the reasoning behind it, and why people might have believed what they did. If you're more interested in learning more about the Celts or the Druids, then this is the book to begin with.
13 of 17 people found the following review helpful
By TP
Format:Paperback
This book shines out as a factual rather than fanciful book on the druids:- their role in celtic society, where they stood during roman occupation, the bias of historical accounts, the immense ignorance and misunderstanding of modern accounts,
The writing is informative, well-written and enjoyable, with history, celtic/post-celtic stories and importantly - references.
The authour unfortunately has the completely blinkered perception that celts and hindus, druids and the brahmin caste are inextricably linked and devotes a few sentences on almost every page to convince you that they are two sides of the same coin. which, while there are similarities and they doubtless do share a common root, are obviously not the same.
He is also pro-celtic/pro-druid to an extent which on occasions seems to cloud his better-judgement (a bit like the hindu idea), which is a little dissapointing but thankfully rare. (woe-be-tied any druid-writer that's made a pro-roman comment in the last 100 years, they'll get a grilling somewhere in this book).
In an area flooded by new-age 'how-to-be-a-modern-day-druid' books this is refreshing and based on historical fact.
If you're after 'incantations', druidic magic or rituals involving white cloaks & sickles, this is the wrong book for you.
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Published 24 days ago by W. Ball
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Archaeology Student
I am currently studying Archaeology at college and chose this book to be part of my personal studies, it is a very useful book and gives a good insight into the subject matter,... Read more
Published on 3 Nov 2004
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