| |||||||||||||||
 Trade In this Item for up to £0.25
Get an extra £5 when you trade in books worth £10 or more until June 30, 2012. Trade in Merlin: The Prophet and His History for an Amazon.co.uk gift card of up to £0.25, which you can then spend on millions of items across the site. Trade-in values may vary (terms apply). Find more products eligible for trade-in.
|
Frequently Bought Together
Product details
|
More About the Author
Product Description
Product Description
Merlin, seer and wonder-worker at King Arthur's court, makes his debut in the highly inventive 'History of the Kings of Britain' written during the 1130s by an author known to posterity as Geoffrey of Monmouth. One of the most influential books of the Middle Ages, it planted Arthur himself in European minds. As for Merlin, he seems to be wholly a creation of Geoffrey's active brain. Or was he? This new book by the leading Arthurian scholar of today offers a succession of surprises. The Merlin of legend was born to be a magician. He was 'immaculately' conceived and was able to interpret dreams and utter prophecies. Even his fate was imbued with magic. Like Arthur, he acquired immortality and sleeps on Bardsey Island, in a subterranean chamber with nine companions. Geoffrey Ashe reveals the man behind the myth, establishing beyond doubt the historicity of a Welsh prophet called Myrddin Emrys. Despite his 'supernatural' status it is Merlin, of all the great characters of the Arthurian world, who has the strongest claims to having existed.
Tags Customers Associate with This Product(What's this?)Click on a tag to find related items, discussions, and people.
|
Sell a Digital Version of This Book in the Kindle Store
If you are a publisher or author and hold the digital rights to a book, you can sell a digital version of it in our Kindle Store.
Learn more
What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
When Geoffrey Ashe is the author, I know I can rely upon my attention being grabbed and held, and that from the first page to the last I will be absorbed by his amazing ability to conjure images of a world long gone. This book doesn't fail, and I am delighted with it...except for one thing. It doesn't have an index. This is all very well if you only want a book to read read from cover to cover and then put aside until the next time you feel like reading it. However, if, like me, you like to dip into it for specific things, an index is essential.
If it weren't for this niggle, I wouldn't hesitate to give five stars, but an index is important to me.
If it weren't for this niggle, I wouldn't hesitate to give five stars, but an index is important to me.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Merlin is an important figure in the mythology and literature of Britain - and indeed Europe. But we have few facts about his life.
If you want a matter-of-fact but short exposition of the main literary sources of the Merlin legend - this is a good place to start. If you want to know whether Merlin the enchanter really existed, you will always be disappointed. Such questions will probably never be answered.
Geoffrey Ashe is an acknowledged authority and writes in an accessible style. One minor quibble - much of it is told in the present tense. There are times when you are unsure whether you are reading yet another tall story, or real archeological evidence.
Probably the former, as the latter is almost completely absent (sadly).
If you want a matter-of-fact but short exposition of the main literary sources of the Merlin legend - this is a good place to start. If you want to know whether Merlin the enchanter really existed, you will always be disappointed. Such questions will probably never be answered.
Geoffrey Ashe is an acknowledged authority and writes in an accessible style. One minor quibble - much of it is told in the present tense. There are times when you are unsure whether you are reading yet another tall story, or real archeological evidence.
Probably the former, as the latter is almost completely absent (sadly).
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
1 review
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Making a lengend real
28 Jun 2008
Format:Hardcover
I picked this up as part of a research project on Arthurian legends. Ashe is one of the foremost authorities on the subject, and his writings are entertaining and very approachable.
This book is set against the backdrop of Geoffrey of Monmouth's The History of the Kings of Britain. Ashe traces Merlin's appearance in Geoffrey's work, and then takes the reader through historical records of secular and non-secular writings. Through it all, Ashe builds a case for the existence of Merlin (though not the magical being our current era has come to adopt) as a real person (or persons).
Though a little academic (familiarity with the works of Wace, The Pearl Poet, and French lore is a plus, but not absolutely necessary)this book is entertaining enough for it to be a good primer for those looking for the history behind the legend.
This book is set against the backdrop of Geoffrey of Monmouth's The History of the Kings of Britain. Ashe traces Merlin's appearance in Geoffrey's work, and then takes the reader through historical records of secular and non-secular writings. Through it all, Ashe builds a case for the existence of Merlin (though not the magical being our current era has come to adopt) as a real person (or persons).
Though a little academic (familiarity with the works of Wace, The Pearl Poet, and French lore is a plus, but not absolutely necessary)this book is entertaining enough for it to be a good primer for those looking for the history behind the legend.
Was this review helpful?
Let us know
Customer Discussions
|
This product's forum
Active discussions in related forums
Search Customer Discussions
|
Related forums
|
Listmania!
|
|
Look for similar items by category
- Books > History > Britain & Ireland
- Books > History > Cultural History
- Books > History > World History > 501-1500
- Books > Mind, Body & Spirit > Mythology > Folklore
- Books > Poetry, Drama & Criticism > History & Criticism
- Books > Society, Politics & Philosophy > Social Sciences > Anthropology > Customs & Folklore > Folklore
Look for similar items by subject
Feedback
- Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
- I am the Author, and I want to comment on my book.
- I am the Publisher, and I want to comment on this book.
|
