History: Fiction or Science? (Chronology, No. 1)

Book Description

Recorded history is a finely-woven magic fabric of intricate lies about events predating the sixteenth century. There is not a single piece of evidence that can be reliably and independently traced back earlier than the eleventh century. This book details events that are substantiated by hard facts and logic, and validated by new astronomical research and statistical analysis of ancient sources.

Customer Reviews:

Calculations are only as good as your numbers.......2007-08-03

Yes, we can all agree that mainstream history is nearly 100% BS due to politics, economics, ego, problems with dating techniques, and various conspiracies. Agreed. But, I've been researching the distinct possibility that human history (in terms of civilizations) are much more ancient than we've been told, so coming across this book was very interesting to me. I wondered how Fomenko could be wrong (if at all) because he is very persuasive in his presentations. Then it dawned on me. If at previous times in prehistory, due to the various catastrophies that are well documented (comets, asteroids, planetary disruptions, plasma discharge, pole reversals, etc) the Earth was in a different position in relation to the sun, different tilt on its axis, different orbit, different rotation (in terms of velocity and DIRECTION), and the continents were in different positions, then would this not cause the ancients to see the sky (constellations) differently? In other words, is Fomenko making erronious assumptions about the physics of the Earth in pre-history, which then corrupt his data with regards to dating the relevant astrology? The last event to seriously disrupt our planet occured roughly 3500 years ago, according to other good researchers, so is it possible Fomenko has been confused by this? The vastly different physics of our planet in the not so distant past may explain this confusion, which is not to say the "mainstream" version of history is correct; on the contrary. I am not an expert in these fields, but wanted to see if this idea could spark discussion.

Pants on fire?.......2007-07-19

Will people ever read before spamming? Yes, Jesuits could not rewrite world history alone, they had help. Anyway, Dr Prof Acad A.Fomenko does not point to jesuits as the driving force of world wide history manipulation in published volumes 1,2,3;, actually he barely mentions the poor devils. Check it with 'Search inside' feature, please. China is rarely mentioned either, in fact, Dr Fomenko is completely eurocentric. Right, his theory contradicts all mainstream schools of history, because in their actual state they are all built on blatantly erroneus chronology. You don't need a mysterious cabal (conspiracy) to falsify history, the falsification is its modus operandi. It is inherent to history(ians) to falsify (distort) events, as it is inherent to humans to boast as it is inherent to power (authority) to legimize itself by referrring to glorious past made to its own order. Dr Prof Fomenko and team have identified scores of instances of such manipulation in Russian, European, etc.. history, and delivered valid statistical proof thereof. His own 'reconstruction' is completely another story. Forget c14 as a valid method of dating. W.Libby has initially discovered a brilliant method of INDEPENDENT dating. Too bad, c14 method has become a joke after a forced marrige with dendrochronology with consensual chronological scale inbuilt. Radiocarbon method can't stand blind tests, but is so very productive as a rubberstamp.

Accepted History & Chronology Must Be Changed. .......2007-04-09

There is no doubt that history as most know it is a sham, & institution's version of History both University & Church is fradulent & inaccurate. Everything was established with an agenda, The real "Dark Ages" are now when we have access to incredible amounts of information past authorities & more important 'common folk' didn't have but our institutions & educators are slow to evolve because of what has ignorantly & arrogantly been taught for too long. This is on many subjects not just Chronology.

For anyone to question "Why would a Mathematician have anything credible to say of History?" The answer is from Dr. Fomenko's preface in the book: "It would be worthwhile to remind the reader that in the XVI-XVII century Chronology was considered to be a subdivision of Mathematics." These volumes could possibly be some of the most important works to date & should be read by everyone with an interest in History, especially professors & educators who have a duty to the public. I have read both books & must say that 'Chronology 1' has some very eye opening & revolutionary information. Even if these volumes are part true the implications are profound & opens the doors to further investigations & questions which must be done. I speak several different lanquages & must say the logic Dr. Fomenko uses with "inflection" of words & words being read from left to right in one region & right to left in another then written backwards, the removal of vowels & get down to basics of words, or different cities & locations having the same name etc. is correct. Vowel usage has always been optional & varied, actually complicating linquistics & study. The first thing one has to understand is that words never had a fixed spelling in history like we do now, the spelling of words was mutable & regional, as well as names & titles of people were vast, varied & changed, NOTHING WAS FIXED or understood linear. Matters of Life & Death as well as financial profiteering yesterday & today were & are made with ignorant, illogical & conspiratorial views of history & reality, it's time people get closer to the Truth & society collectively grow up.

Very Interesting.......2007-03-07

It is a good proposal and I believe it will mature into something even better in the future. I think it deserves to be read.

History as Science Fiction.......2007-01-10

Anatoly Fomenko has written a very intriguing book, full of pictures, charts, and computer 'proof' of his thesis: backwards of AD900 we don't really know what happened or when. Between AD900 and AD1600 there is more certainty, but there is still a lot of fuzzy ground, and things don't get reliable until we get past the 1600's where the printing press made it very difficult for the perpetrators of this timeline manipulation to change anything that had been committed to print. The Dark Ages did not happen. Books were burned for a reason. One organization has doubled the actual length of its existence by expanding the real chronology. Read why.

I had always wondered why Christ died about AD33 and yet men waited until the 11th century to form the Knights Templar, the Cathars, etc and go after the Holy Land by force. Why the 1000 year gap? Turns out there wasn't more than a 10-12 year gap and he proves it using astronomy. This also implies that the planet is not as old as we have been told, and current Christian and other creationist scientists are already championing that idea without being aware of Fomenko's book. The two groups, creationist scientists and the Russian mathematical analysts corroborate each other. Fascinating.

Of course, all this flies in the face of what we have been told traditionally is the 'proper' chronology of western civilization, and most readers will experience 'cognitive dissonance' in reading this book. It means that our history going backwards from AD1600 becomes progressively more incorrect and unreliable until it cannot be trusted at all... in the space of 700-800 years.

Naturally, the curious, open-minded reader will want to know WHO did this, WHY, and did any of the events we think of as really ancient ever happen?
Dr. Fomenko is a respected scientist/mathematician at Moscow State University who has already answered these questions to the satisfaction of his initially skeptical colleagues. Most of them are now believers, a few still refuse to believe (the usual diehards), and of course the western press has ignored Fomenko's work -- for obvious reasons when you read the book. The ones who perpetrated this chronology ruse have a lot to answer for. They are still with us. That's why this book is a well-kept secret.

I gave the book a 4-star rating because I was unable to check out some of his claims; those I checked were as he said. But if even 1/3 of his claims are true, this punches a big hole in what we think is our history, the meaning of western civilization, our educational process (for repeating the ruse as gospel), and the trustworthiness of the organization that perpetrated this ruse, well-intentioned or not.

This book relates to current research into a Young Earth paradigm, to John Keel's discoveries about our planet, and Fr Malachi Martin's insights (in his now out-of-print books). We are indeed sheep who are manipulated and kept ignorant -- for a reason. While knowing what these men have to say may be the "booby prize" (as in: 'what can you do with this knowledge?'), it will provide interesting reading. Didn't someone say: "...and the Truth will set you free."?? For you to judge if this book contains the truth.

History: Fiction or Science? Chronology 2 (Chronology)

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Check and see
Suprise! Suprise!
Prescient St Augustine?
Something of a disappointment
Romulus courts Helen, Paris founds Rome, Moses goes to Troy..

History: Fiction or Science? Chronology 2 (Chronology)
Anatoly T Fomenko
Manufacturer: Delamere Resources LLC
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 2913621066

Product Description

`History: Fiction or Science? Chronology 2` is the second volume of the most explosive and astounding tractate on history ever written - however, every theory it contains, no matter how unorthodox, is backed by rock solid scientific data. The book is easy and pleasant to read; it is well-illustrated, contains hundreds of charts, graphs and illustrations, copies of ancient manuscripts, and countless facts attesting to the falsity of the chronology used nowadays. You will be amazed to discover: - That the chronology universally accepted today and taken for granted is simply wrong; - That ALL methods of dating of ancient sources and artefacts known today are erroneous or non-exact; - That there is not a single document that could be reliably dated earlier than the XIth century; The Author refers to the Middle Ages as the Antiquity and proves mutual superimposition of the Second and the Third Roman Empire, both of which become identified as the respective kingdoms of Israel and Judah. Furthermore, he asserts that the famous reform of the Occidental Church in the XI century by Pope Gregory Hildebrand was the reflection of the XII century reforms of Byzantine emperor Andronicus who in his turn identifies with Jesus Christ. The Trojan war counted by Homer happened only as late as of the XIII century A.D. and the great poet actually lived in XIV century A.D. No stone in history of Antiquity is left unturned. Literally. This book is the beginning of a major correction to the chronology we live with.

Customer Reviews:

Check and see.......2007-06-21

I don't care what other people say of this book. Those affirmig it's fake, they hadn't ever read it. Or have some special reasons to do so. "Living is easy with eyes closed, misunderstanding all you see..." This book won't make you feel comfortable. It'll make you feel free. It'll make you feel you're "not the only one" to feel you'd been lied to for centuries.

Suprise! Suprise!.......2007-03-22

Here is a serie of books which turns "the whole world" upside down. I learned a lot of it and I hope that a new book from A.T. Fomenko will follow very quick. A absolute must for everybody who is interested in history or even a little bit from it.

Prescient St Augustine?.......2006-02-05

We can so far divide the New Chronology into the following three parts:

a) The verifiable theory that proves consensual chronology wrong with the aid of astronomy, statistics and mathematics;

b) The new chronology hypothesis based on a new understanding of known historical facts and the most likely logical explanation of the most obvious inconsistencies inherent in the official version of history;

c) The history conjectures, that is experimental historical reconstructions based on assumptions that the authors believe to make sense in the light of their research and linguistic parallels - void of ironclad factual support to date.

Fomenko's theory complies with the most rigid scientific standards as a whole:

It gives a coherent explanation of what we already know.

- It is consistent: independent lines of inquiry all lead to the same conclusion.

- The predictions it makes are confirmed empirically.

Fomenko goes by the following axioms:

- Chronology is the basis of history;

- Human evolution has always been linear, gradual and irreversible;

- The "cyclic" nature of human civilization is a myth, likewise all the gaps, duplicates, "dark ages" and "renaissances" that we know from consensual history;

- The accumulation of geographical knowledge as reflected in cartography is a gradual and irreversible process;

- The chronological distance between a given manuscript and the events described therein is proportional to the amount of distortions it contains;

- There is no "useless" information in authentic ancient sources.

Why the mainstream historians do not shower mathematician Academician Dr.Prof Fomenko with thanks and laurels?

The Russians:

Because Fomenko asserts that there was no such thing as the Tartar and Mongol invasion followed by three centuries of slavery, providing a formidable body of documental evidence to prove his assertion. The so-called "Tartars and Mongols" were the actual ancestors of the modern Russians, living in a bilingual state with Arabic spoken as freely as Russian. The ancient Russian state was governed by a double structure of civil and military authorities. The hordes were actually professional armies with a tradition of lifelong conscription (the recruitment being the so-called "blood tax"). Their "invasions" were punitive operations against the regions that attempted tax evasion. Fomenko proves that Russian history as we know it today is a blatant forgery concocted by a host of German scientists brought to Russia by the usurper dynasty of the Romanovs, whose ascension to the throne was the result of coup d'état, charged with the mission of making their reign look legitimate. Fomenko proves Ivan the Terrible to be a collation of four rulers, no less. They represented the two rival dynasties - the legitimate rulers and the ambitious upstarts. The winner took it all! Over some 30 years of controversy, Russian historians have made a most remarkable transition - they were initially accusing the young mathematician Fomenko of anticommunist dissident activity and attempts to deface the historical legacy of Soviet Russia; nowadays the middle-aged mathematician is accused of adhering to "pro-communist Russian nationalism" and defacing the proud historical legacy of Great Russia.

The Westerners:

Because Fomenko blows consensual Russian history to smithereens, successfully removing a crucial cornerstone from underneath the otherwise impeccable edifice of World History. Fomenko adds insult to injury, wiping out one by one the Ancient Rome (the foundation of Rome in Italy is dated to the XIV century A. D.), the Ancient Greece and its numerous poleis, which he identifies as the mediaeval crusader settlements on the territory of Greece, and the Ancient Egypt (the pyramids of Giza become dated to the XI-XV century A. D. and identified as the royal cemetery of the Global "Mongolian" Empire, no less). The civilization of the Ancient Egypt is irrefutably dated to the XII-XV century A. D. with the aid of the ancient Egyptian horoscopes cut in stone. He was the first one to decipher and date all such horoscopes, coming up with mediaeval dates in every case. English historians rage at the suggestion that the history of Ancient England was de facto a Byzantine import transplanted to the English soil by the fugitive Byzantine nobility. To reward the English historians who consider themselves the true scribes of World History, the cover of the present book portrays Tintoretto's Jesus Christ crucified on the Big Ben.

The Chinese:

Because Fomenko wipes out the Ancient History of China outright. No such thing. Full point. The compilation of the so-called Ancient Chinese History is reliably datable to the XVII-XVIII century only. It is perfectly recognizable as the Ancient European history, reworked and transcribed in hieroglyphs as yet another historical transplantation, this time performed on the Chinese soil by the loving Jesuit hands. The Chinese are the next in line to go berserk. Chinese history is inevitably bound to get both more ancient and more eventful, proportionally to the growing involvement of China in the world affairs. Chinese historians will keep on finding valid proof of prehistoric Chinese spaceflights until the Politburo orders them to shut up.

The Arabs:

Too bad. Islam with all its key figures is datable to XV-XVI century A. D. Arabic historians may find consolation in the crucial historical role of the Ottoman Empire in the XVI-XVII century. The trouble is that this empire was initially a Christian state, with Hagia Sophia identifiable as Temple of Solomon, according to Fomenko! We can only guess if the acquisition of Alexander the Great (a Macedonian and a Christian) as the founder of the Muslim World Empire will make Fomenko's theories more acceptable to the Arabic mainstream. He certainly does not spare any holy cows at all, claiming The Stone of Qa'Aba in Mecca to contain the lost Arch of the Covenant.

The Divinity:

Despite of reiterated statement that his theory is all about chronology and not Religion, Fomenko stirs up a whole condominium of wasp nests. His collection of anathemas, fatwa, and other condemnations from all parties concerned is already considerable. Little wonder, considering that the history of religions à la Fomenko looks as follows: the pre-Christian period (before the XI century and JC), Bacchic Christianity (XI-XII century, before and after JC), JC Christianity (XII-XVI century) and its subsequent mutations into Orthodox Christianity, the Catholicism, Islam, Buddhism, and so on.

According to Fomenko we know strictly NOTHING about the events that predate the X century A. D.

St Augustin was prescient when he spoke unto us: "be wary of mathematicians, particularly when they speak the truth."

Something of a disappointment.......2005-09-09

After having read the first volume of this expected series of 7 volumes I was triggered by the thesis of these authors that ancient Greek and Roman history did in fact take place in the Middle Ages. So I started studying medieval history of the Middle East - also known as Islamic history - to find out if the opponents of the ancient Greeks and Romans - the Acheamenid Persians, Sassanids, Scythians, Egyptians, etc. - also have their duplicates in medieval history. My search was disappointing: none of the many medieval Islamic dynasties seemed to correspond to the ancient middle eastern rulers.

However, I did find a close correspondence between Herodotus' Persian kings and medieval events:

- the defeat and capture of an Anatolian king - the Lydian Croesus - by the Persian conqueror Cyrus is identical to the defeat and capture of another Anatolian king - sultan Bayezid - by the Asian/Mongol conqueror Tamerlane;
- the Persian conquest of Egypt by the cruel tyrant Cambyses reds almost exactly as the Ottoman conquest of Egypt by Selim the Grim (note the nickname!);
- Darius the Lawgiver of the Persian Empire looks very much alike to Sulayman the Magnificent, the Lawgiver in Islamic history;
- Xerxes, whose main claim to fame is to be defeated by the Greeks at the naval battle of Salamis, looks like Selim II (the Sot) whose main claim to fame is to be defeated by a Spanish-Italian alliance at the naval battle of Lepanto.

I should have expected Fomenko et al. to arrive at similar conclusions, however, they claim that the Persian kings are the alter egos of the Angevin kings of Sicily whose biographies do not contain the exploits of the Persian kings.

The similiarities I indicate lead to the conclusion that Herodotus must have written his Histories at the close of the 16th century. But this is extremely late, given that Herodotus is "the Father of History", so therefore all other "ancient" histories must have been fabricated even later. Yet, the founders of modern chronology - Scaliger and Petavius - laid their foundations also at the close of the 16th century and had the full corpus of ancient histories already at their disposal.

It seems to me that Fomenko has to address these inconsistencies, maybe in the forthcoming 5 volumes?

Another critique of their book is that the correspondencies between different rulers are often based on a superficial comparison of the biographies; upon a more thorough comparison many details appear that do not correspond at all.

Finally, the authors rely heavily on the works of Gregorovius (1821-1891!!) - his medieval histories of Rome and Athens - as the source of medieval history; these works are - at least in the West - hoplessly outdated and have been superceded by more up-to-date works (for instance, Julius Norwich's trilogy on Byzantine history is not even cited).

Romulus courts Helen, Paris founds Rome, Moses goes to Troy.........2005-07-30

If you agree with Fomenko that Roman chronology is basically the foundation of the entire edifice of global chronology; you would also certainly agree that despite its numerous gaps and inconsistencies, Roman history is the best-documented field of ancient history, and thus a reference scale. But how well is the actual date of the Eternal City's foundation known?

Firstly, Rome is supposed to have been founded by the Trojans who had to flee after the fall of Troy. Some claim Rome to have been founded by Aeneas and Ulysses shortly after Troy had fallen; others are of the opinion that there was an entire dynasty that ruled for 500 years between the fall of Troy and the foundation of Rome.

Well, that's just an innocent 500 years long misunderstanding compared with what heretic Fomenko says, asserts, proves in his second volume: Second Roman Empire, Third Roman Empire, Biblical Kingdom of Israel, Biblical Kingdom of Judah, Holy Roman Empire are stories about basically same events, written from different points of view at different times. The underlying events have actually taken place during xii-xv cy. These histories have been written and perfected by multitude of highly talented humanist and clerical writers of xiii-xvi cy disguised as "ancients" with glorious names like Homer, Pluto, Thucydides etc..Chronology 2.0 beta..

Historians are kindly invited to report the bugs.

Celtic Christianity: A Sacred Tradition, a Vision of Hope

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The Celtic Christian Tradition.
Lots of History, But...
Celtic Christianity, A Sacred Tradition, a Vision of Hope.
3 in 1
An Adventure in Celtic Scholarship

Celtic Christianity: A Sacred Tradition, a Vision of Hope
Timothy J. Joyce
Manufacturer: Orbis Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 1570751765

Customer Reviews:

The Celtic Christian Tradition........2005-12-25

_Celtic Christianity: A Sacred Tradition, A Vision of Hope_ by Benedictine monk and Roman Catholic priest Timothy J. Joyce, published by Orbis Books, takes a profound look at one of the unique Christian traditions originating among the Celtic peoples. The author is of Irish ancestry and notes the unique contributions of this subtle race to spirituality and tradition. Although the book is marred by a leftist bias which overemphasizes the changes in the church which took place at the Second Vatican Council, it nevertheless provides an important survey of the spirituality arising from the Celtic peoples.

The author begins by discussing the ancient Celts, a pagan people who would later easily come to embrace Christianity. The Celts included peoples spread out all over Europe, including not only the British Isles (Scotland, Wales, and Ireland) but also the Continental mainland, ranging from France, Britanny, all the way to Switzerland and Eastern Europe. Indeed, the tribe of Gauls were of Celtic origin, and the adventures of this ancient people are well known and recorded in the writings of various Romans. The origins of the Celts remain a mystery and many have suggested that they may have originated in the East and migrated Westwards. The early Celts had a unique philosophical understanding emphasizing the sacredness of place, revealed in their ruins and sacred sites. In addition, the Celts were a warlike people, although they placed emphasis on spirituality and humility unlike other barbarian tribes. When Christianity came to the Celts, it was an easy conversion. The author relates tales of the saints Patrick, Bridgit, Brendan, Columcille, and Columban. Indeed, these early saints were capable of incorporating Christianity to such an extent that Christ could be referred to as the "Great Druid". Celtic Christianity emphasized nature and monasticism. Indeed, many of the Celtic saints were responsible for bringing monasticism to the British Isles. The relationship between the Celtic Church and Rome is more complicated. While the Celts always adhered strongly to such orthodox Christian beliefs as the existence of Purgatory and the truth of the Trinity, their church structure was somewhat different from the Roman Church. Nevertheless, the Celts sought to maintain unity with the pope at Rome, although they often remained somewhat critical of his personal faults. Following this discussion of the early Celtic Church and Celtic monasticism, the author turns his attention to the crises the Celtic Church underwent. The author discusses not only the changes that took place in the church during the Middle Ages, but the subsequent events of the Protestant Reformation and Cromwell's persecution which completed devastated the Irish. Finally, the author turns his attention to Ireland's "Darkest Hour". Here, he emphasizes the poverty of this nation and the results of famine. Many of the Irish became immigrants to the United States, Canada, or Australia, fleeing their land of woe. However, they preserved their Catholic spirituality as they went. This spirituality emphasized obedience to Rome, the Rosary, the adoration of Mary and the saints, prayer for the "poor souls" in Purgatory, and the Irish wake and funeral. However, with the rise of the modern age, new possibilities for spiritual growth remain for the Celtic peoples and in particular for the Irish. The author believes that Celtic spirituality offers a vision of hope for the Roman Catholic church in the contemporary period. It is unfortunate however that he places so much of an emphasis on the changes in the church that took place at the Second Vatican Council as opposed to traditional Catholic spirituality.

This book provides a thorough introduction to the spirituality of the Celtic peoples and to their profoundly Christian vision for the future. While the book is marred by a leftist denial of the traditional Catholic faith, it nevertheless makes some good points regarding the early Celts and the profound healing power of their spirituality for the modern age.

Lots of History, But..........2003-03-01

The cover blurb of this short book by an American Benedictine monk promises Celtic Spirituality "introduces a mysterious and extraordinary spiritual world (that) developed among the Celtic peoples sixteen centuries ago." Fr. Timothy's book tells something of pre-Christian and early-Christian Celtic social structure, customs and worldview and provides a few examples of Celtic prayers. But this book is primarily the HISTORY (i.e., names, dates, administrative structure) of Christian institutions in Celtic lands and not an exploration of Celtic Christian beliefs and practice or, more specifically, how those beliefs and practices shaped the Celtic people before they came under Norman and English domination.

Fr. Timothy emphasizes that Ireland was the only early-Christian culture in Western Europe never controlled by the Roman Empire. The Celtic Church, while strictly Trinitarian in belief, celebrated God's gifts of nature and humanity in a relatively non-legalistic manner. Then he recounts the history of the Roman church eventually dominating the native Irish, until the 1840s Potato Famine horror destroyed both the economy and any remaining traditional Celtic social structure and laid mid-Nineteenth Century legalistic, conservative, hierarchical Roman Catholicism over impoverished, dysfunctional Irish families. Fr. Timothy asserts the result, today's image of "Irish Catholic", is a foreign, inauthentic Irish Christianity far removed from its Celtic roots.

All of that may be true and interesting, but I finished the book still not knowing exactly what Celtic Christianity is and how, other than making pilgrimages to contemporary retreat centers scattered through Ireland and Britain, one might pursue modern day Celtic spirituality.

Although Ireland's lack of Roman domination is mentioned several times and Fr. Timothy mentions Eastern Orthodox Christianity in passing a couple of times, his Roman Catholic-centered world view never lets him, if you'll allow me a newly popular but already overused phrase, connect the dots. Since St. Patrick and his peers brought Christianity to the Celts at a time, around 400 AD, when all Christians were still "Orthodox" and other books demonstrate direct connections between the Celtic Church and the Eastern Christian monasteries of the Desert Fathers, it seems logical to conclude that Celtic Christianity was the local version of what still lives on as Eastern Orthodoxy.

There is a fairly long bibliography (virtually all for books published in the 1990s) and a list of organizations sponsoring Celtic retreats, revival, etc. (although not a single Internet address is provided). A few black and white photo reproductions are unremarkable.

I enjoyed reading Celtic Spirituality, and recommend it as a short history of Christian Church administration in Celtic cultures but feel one needs to look elsewhere to learn more about Celtic (Orthodox) Christianity itself.

Celtic Christianity, A Sacred Tradition, a Vision of Hope........2000-04-25

A gentle & interesting book for those exploring Celtic &/or Irish roots, & history. It provides valuable insights into understanding and recognising the Celtic traits and spirituality within us. A worthwhile read for Catholics, who, like myself, sometimes wonder! Definitely worth a second read (or more)!

3 in 1.......1999-12-05

Father Joyce has written a thoughtful and useful book. It is pure joy

An Adventure in Celtic Scholarship.......1999-12-03

The Rev. Joyce offers us a well-reasearched, and scholarly analysis of the elements and factors which define Celtic Christianity. The thorough history of Christian worship as it developed primarily in Ireland allows the reader to virtually travel through time to gain a full understanding of the psyche of the Irish people, and how this has influenced (and has been influenced by) the parallel rise of European Christianity.

The author's writing style makes the work a bit more difficult than it might otherwise need to be, however. Much of the factual work is related to the reader in a somewhat cold style, thus requiring the reader to persevere. The basic thesis of the work could be stated more clearly in the introductory chapter, rather than summarized in the end.

Overall, a sound, non-judgemental treatment of a subject which each Christian should understand in order to fully appreciate the rich history and diversity of the Church.

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The Best Introduction Ever

WOW!

Wow!

Part of my Journey

Out of the Mist....

The Mist-Filled Path: Celtic Wisdom for Exiles, Wanderers, and Seekers
Frank MacEowen
Manufacturer: New World Library
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 1577312112

Amazon.com

In this book, MacEowen, a teacher of the spiritual traditions of Scotland and Ireland, issues a call to readers longing to live a more authentic life to wake up from "the land of sleepwalkers." "Too many of us squander our lives," he writes, "filling our minds with a crazed habitual raciness that is hard to throw off." MacEowen's purpose is to show us how to break free of our unconscious habits to place our awareness where it matters, living from the perspective of our inner senses and informed by our souls. The "Mist" he speaks of is a metaphor for spirituality used by Celtic peoples. Drawing on his own personal experiences and myths and poems of the Celts and Druids, MacEowen introduces readers conditioned by modern Western society to a world of mystery and meaning that is ours to enter into at any time, were we only to become more aware of it.

Throughout the book, he also shares various exercises to help us further that awareness, and in the process he makes a compelling argument that the "good life" that all of us yearn for can only be found when we live each day with a sense of "wonderment and wakeful purpose" that is in tune with our divine birthright. With The Mist-Filled Path, MacEowen joins writers such as John O'Donahue (Anam Cara) and Caitlin Mathews (The Encyclopedia of Celtic Wisdom) in introducing readers to the ancient spiritual traditions of "the misty green isles" of Ireland and Scotland that gave meaning to their inhabitants for many centuries, and which still hold value for us here in the 21st century.

Book Description

In The Mist-Filled Path, Frank MacEowen, a preeminent teacher of Celtic spirituality, shows how embracing the indigenous wisdom of Scotland and Ireland can lead to healing and transcendence. Using his own travels and teachings along with Celtic stories and myths, he explores ancient traditions, eco-psychology, the ancient mother, altars and hearths, Oran Mor (the Great Song), contemplation, and mysticism. The book tells how to draw on ancestral roots to find a personal spirituality that also works for the greater good.

Customer Reviews:

The Best Introduction Ever.......2007-05-28

I bought this book as part of a course I am currently taking online. I didn't have time to read it so I thought I would wait for a free weekend to sit and do that. I started reading the book and immediately began a beautiful journey into myself.

This book is not something you just read, it has exercises which you really must stop and do. The exercises are simple and yet the results from these exercises are so complex. I learned more about myself and spirituality by reading this book than I did in the last 16 years of practicing Paganism.

This book is a great introduction to sprituality. The Author takes you through a journey of sharing, you don't just read about spirituality you also hear his story which makes the book personal and very touching. It is a totally MUST READ book.

WOW!.......2007-03-28

This book appeared at the right time and place with all the right words. A must-read for the spiritual seeker!

Wow!.......2007-03-15

Reading it now.....CAN'T put it down!
Although it is labeled "pagan" by another reviewer
I am reading it from a Christian's point of view and
I find much that's very Spiritual (with a capital S).
It may be genetic memory from my Celtic/Gaelic
ancestors!

Part of my Journey.......2007-02-12

There are clearly enough reviews here to allow a reader to get the essence of what MacEowen is doing in this work; I only will add some personal comments along the line of what a quietly important work this one is. He is firmly rooted in our contemporary industrial consumer culture, with a life line thrown to a wonderful and compelling past that can enrich our lives and feed our souls once we wake up to how hungry we are for an enriching spirituality that connects us to the earth, and our bodies and each other. I have felt this call to my Celtic heritage for most of my life, and feel grateful to have been introduced to this work by a friend. It has served to both deepen and expand my own jouorney.

Out of the Mist...........2006-08-28

This rare treat of a book explained so many things to me. If you have the second sense, if you hugged Oak trees as a child, if you wonder why you see things differently than most, check this book out.

Frank MacEowen bravely tells his own haunting biography: His tale of participating in the American Indian "Sun Dance" is guaranteed to leave you with goose bumps.

For all who yearn to be with nature, for those of Celtic Ancestry, for the Spirit searchers, and for anyone who just wants a great read, pick up a copy of this book.

Yearning for the Wind: Celtic Reflections on Nature and the Soul

Average customer rating:

charming collection
An absolutely wonderful little book
Sound advice
An Absolutely Inspiring Text That Gives Great Insight Into The Heart of Celtic Theology.
A journey to understand the wind and soul

Yearning for the Wind: Celtic Reflections on Nature and the Soul
Tom Cowan
Manufacturer: New World Library
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Shamanism | Earth-Based Religions | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 1577314115

Book Description

Throughout the ages, shamans and mystics have recognized that all created things share some level of consciousness, and that ordinary and nonordinary realities interact at some point. This book by a well-known Celtic American shaman explores those interactions and interconnected pathways, looking at the interdependence of our material life with our inner life and that of nature. Each chapter is a small window into the mysteries of nature and soul as they infuse daily life. Cowan draws on the teachings of medieval mystics, fairy legends, Celtic songs, present-day poets and seekers, Native American stories, and other traditions. From these strands he weaves a Celtic knot of spirit that is both beautiful and strong.

Customer Reviews:

charming collection.......2007-08-05

Delightful reading - and now we're taking turns reading it aloud to each other in the evening. A very positive book - just what we need right now.

An absolutely wonderful little book.......2007-06-01

This book is a true delight! Full of the light and magic of the world all around us, Tom Cowan's words are sure to make you think and to move your soul.

Sound advice.......2007-05-13

Tom Cowan's Celtic Reflections is a wonderful read. Every chapter contains pearls of wisdom. The book is also written in a way that builds on concepts presented earlier to make the point later in the book. The reflections draw on Celtic traditions and myth, as well as Cowan's personal life. His explanation of spirit and living "in the spirit" was particuarly poignant. I plan read sections again to try to pull out individual practices and meditations. Although they are presented in almost every chapter, I wish there had been a summary or methodology to the techniques that were presented. Overall, though, an excellent book worthy of reading and study, whether you are into Celtic traditions or simply want to experience another way look of seeing the world.

An Absolutely Inspiring Text That Gives Great Insight Into The Heart of Celtic Theology........2005-11-27

I found "Yearning for the Wind" to be an absolutely inspiring text that gives great insight into the heart of Celtic Theology. Of particular interest to me, and something I hold as a personal belief is the Celtic mystery tradition, going back to the time of Plato, that all created things share in the divine life of the Creator (pp. 56). I believe that the spirit of God is in each of us.

Some may ask how the spirit of the divine can be found in those who are not godly, yet we find this too explained in "Yearning for the Wind" and in Celtic Theology in general. In the text a story is related of two groups of sheep. One group being white and the other being black. From time to time one of the white sheep would wander over to the group of black sheep and would itself turn black. And, later a black sheep would wander into the white flock and would thereafter turn white. I took this to mean that we tend to take on the likeness of those with who we associate. So... when we associate with those lacking an abundance of the divine spirit we ourselves show a lack of this spirit too. Yet, the divine spirit that is in us will grow when given an environment that is nurturing to the spirit.

Along this same line however, we are never completely black, nor are we ever completely white. In "Yearning for the Wind" we see this reflected in the story of the tree, half of which is on fire, the flames blazing up to the top of tree; while the other half of the tree is green, leafy and beautiful. Although not explained in great detail I found the story of the burning tree to be similar to the Chinese theory of yin and yang. Each is the opposite of the other, yet yin flow into yang and yang flows into yin, and at the heart of each is the essence of its own opposite. In each person we can find the rage and flames of the burning half of the Celtic tree and at the same time we can find the shade, and leafy beauty of a tree in the fullness of its bloom.

I believe it is what we do with that that is found within each of us that dictates the course of our lives, and how brightly the spirit of the divine is reflected in us. In Celtic Theology we read the story of Dagda's harp, the music of which affected the soul of man. It is the music of sleep that brings us to that state beyond joy. The Buddhists call it `satori' and the Hindus call it `nirvana', but in each case it is simply realizing the spirit of the divine living within each of us. When we reach a state where we realize that inner divine spirit we can thereafter use that spirit to aid others ~ as with the Celtic songs of healing, which heal those who hear them as well as those who sing them.

We must not think however that Celtic Theology is all mystery and hidden spirit. Those of the Celtic faith are very much in tune with life in this world. We see this reflected in the reply of one of Finn MacCool's men when asked by St. Patrick what had sustained him before the `Gospels'. "The warrior-hunter answered `The truth in our hearts, the strength in our arms, and the promise on our lips'." This clearly summarizes the Celtic Moral Code: "To live from the deep inner knowledge of the heart and soul, to manifest it by physical action, and to be true to one's word." (pp. 83)

Although every religion attempts to offer a code or commandments to guide the moral lives of the faithful, I believe that this Celtic insight into morality says it best. For if a man follows the deep inner knowledge of his heart and soul, does he not draw upon the spirit of the divine that is within us all? And, by drawing upon this inner spirit of the divine a man's physical actions with be brave and right and strong. With strength of spirit, and strength of deed, our word will surely be honorable and true.

A journey to understand the wind and soul.......2005-02-21

Tom Cowan's Yearning of the Wind: Celtic Reflections on Nature is truly wonderful. I imagine that I will reread sections of this book time and time again--each time taking something different with me, each time seeing it from a different perspective. His writing is easy. Flowing from word to word and thought to thought, he takes you on a journey of the soul. It's deceptively simplistic and easy to read--but the depth is tremendous. In a few pages, his words convey universal meanings that strike a chord deep within me.

Cowan writes "Live courageously even though circumstances frighten you. Push through fear, knowing that ultimately nothing can harm your soul."

Wise words from an eloquent man.

The Druids: Priests of the Ancient Celts (Contributions to the Study of Religion)

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The Druids: Priests of the Ancient Celts (Contributions to the Study of Religion)
Paul R. Lonigan
Manufacturer: Greenwood Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Druidism | Earth-Based Religions | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books

Celtic | Earth-Based Religions | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books

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Book Description

This comprehensive study of the Druids offers a fresh look at the enigmatic and often controversial question of the role of these priests in Celtic society. The religion of Druidism is examined as an inheritance of Indo-European tradition, with intriguing analogies made between Irish and Roman cultic practices. The author identifies the functions of the ancient priests, providing an inventory of their duties and services. Druids are also defined in terms of their connections with other branches of Eurasian mysticism. This study will be of particular interest to scholars of Irish culture, Celtic culture, and comparative religion.

The Druid Source Book: From Earliest Times to the Present Day

Average customer rating:

An informative study
Well presented book
Outdated Scholarship, Misleading Information

The Druid Source Book: From Earliest Times to the Present Day

Manufacturer: Blandford Pr
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Druidism | Earth-Based Religions | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books

Celtic | Earth-Based Religions | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books

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Bonewits's Essential Guide to Druidism

ASIN: 0713725729

From the Publisher

There have been many questions surrounding druidism, yet no one place to look for answers-- until now! Journey through a world of sacred springs and holy wells, stone circles and majestic mountains; the beauty of the natural world was the inspiration for the druids. Read classical accounts from Julius Caesar, then examine the druidic revival in the 18th and 19th centuries, with its essays on everything from moral doctrines to charts and magic. Learn what the sacred geometry of megalithic sights has to do with cosmology. Unveil the secrets of druidic initiation ceremonies and priesthood. These historical stories and essays will dispel some of the wilder theories still circulating, but also prove fertile soil upon which a fascination with the mystical world of druidism will grow and flourish.

Customer Reviews:

An informative study.......2005-06-23

Much work has gone into this study and it deserves to be read. Some reviewers have faulted this book because it draws on 'dated' sources - but, the author explains why he has chosen those sources. They may be 'dated' but that could be seen as a virtue, rather than a drawback. Quite rightly, one reviewer has noted that - traditionally, the key elements of Druidic teaching have been transmitted orally. Thus, whatever may be found in written sources, needs to be fleshed out with reference to the oral tradition. The sources Matthews has drawn on were put together by people able to assess that side of the tradition, far more accurately than than we are today. Druidic Studies suffer from a twofold bane - the speculations of Neo-Druids - who, for want of an informed background, have almost been forced to re-invent the tradition, introducing arbitrary notions of their own. Then we have the sceptical voice of modern scholarship (e.g. Stuart Piggot, who devotes his time and energy to de-bunking Druidism). For the most part, the material Matthews has put together avoids these extremes.Hence the interest of this book.

Well presented book.......2003-04-08

I believe the previous review is somewhat "misguided" in representing this interesting book. Yes, it does contain "outdated" and "antiquarian" sources, but the author/editor clearly states why he is using these sources and leaves it up to the reader to dwell on what is said but more importantly what is NOT being said to draw their own conclusions if there are to be any. Since there is no written source(s) from the actual time of the Druids (as far as we "know" it was all oral, passed from teacher to student), all we have to go by is what has been written or passed down, but this information and more is already in all of us if we wish to see. No book can really tell you anything absolute about any subject matter, but it can be a guide.
I would recommend this as well as any book by the author of the Foreward, Philip Carr-Gomm, and his late mentor, Ross Nichols.

Outdated Scholarship, Misleading Information.......2002-04-07

John Matthews presents this as a source book for those wishing to be druids today. He gives the impression that this book will give you accurate information about what the druids were like. However, what he has collected is a number of essays and excerpts that tell you what antiquarians and occultists from the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries *thought* druids were like. The scholarship is outdated, though it may be of interest to those studying the druidic revival as a sociological or historical event. If you are interested in learning what is truly known about the druids, rather than an imaginative depiction, I recommend Piggott's _The Druids_ or Miranda Green's _World of the Druids_. Those books provide all the essential information and direct you to other sources for further reading. For an insightful study of the image of druids through the ages, see Leslie Ellen Jones' _Druid, Shaman, Priest._

The Complete Idiot's Guide to Celtic Wisdom (The Complete Idiot's Guide)

Average customer rating:

Gift
Indespensible
Nifty Introduction to the Celtic World
Very Comprehensive
The book I've been waiting for...

The Complete Idiot's Guide to Celtic Wisdom (The Complete Idiot's Guide)
Carl McColman
Manufacturer: Alpha
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 0028644174
Release Date: 2003-05-06

Book Description

A comprehensive look at Irish, Scottish, Welsh, and continental Celtic traditions, both Pagan and Christian, this guide includes the Celtic approach to shamanism, fairies, Wicca, neopaganism, magic, and Druidism. It draws a map for today's Celtic quest, with the way of the pilgrim, honor of one's ancestors, and the language and culture. Exploring the Celtic universe-gods and goddesses, mythic heroes and warriors, wonderworkers, underworlds, and otherworlds-this manual also covers legends such as King Arthur, Merlin, and the Quest for the Holy Grail.

Customer Reviews:

Gift.......2007-06-10

My wife and I gave this book as a gift to her dear friend and she loves it.
She is very happy with the content and the set up of the book. It gives little side notes and she is finding , although she know quite a bit about the subject , some new tidbits to further explore.

Indespensible.......2005-11-04

I quite honestly bought this book on a lark but found it to be jam packed with useful information. I still have copies of his "Living the Celtic Life" as well as others copied in my day planner. Full of mythology, practice, and, yes, wisdom, I truly recommend this book to absolutely anyone with an interest in Celtic wisdom streams.

Nifty Introduction to the Celtic World.......2004-03-24

I've always been intrigued by Irish and Welsh culture, not just a lot of famous Irish blessings which I enjoy but also their music (some of my favorite musical artists are Irish and even Welsh in origin). When I found out about this book, I was further intrigued and was very pleased by what I read. This book takes a great overall look at the great amount of information known about "Celtic lore." The book's chapters cover topics like the history of the Celts, the "otherworld," information about bards, ovates, and druids, Irish & Welsh mythology, "Celtic Christianity," revering your ancestors, "befriending the good people," and a lot more. Reading this book brought up some emotion for me in that I felt reading through it I was being transported "back home" in a way, which probably is no surprise given my Celtic heritage.

The book is an excellent introduction to all things Celtic. Anyone like me who has an interest in Celtic lore will definitely enjoy this book and it will likely leave the reader wanting to know much more. In fact the author includes a great number of related book titles throughout the book and at the book's end for that very reason. I'm looking forward now to doing more reading and studying of the Celtic world thanks to this book.

Very Comprehensive.......2003-12-05

This is a great start to research in the topics of Celtic wisdom and mythology, as well as Wicca, Grail lore, and more. It is very readable, and well laid out. The sidebars are more interesting that some other Idiot's Guides I have read.

A great investment for your mythology or occult library!

The book I've been waiting for..........2003-09-03

Carl McColman has successfully done the improbable - he has synthesized the pith of Celtic Spirituality in all its branches into one volume. Often I find Celtic spirituality texts to be poorly researched and too far out. Not so in this one - a gold mine of cultural gems. Presented in a clear and straight forward manner, this book speaks to me on many levels. Buy it for its clean review of Celtic history, wisely conveyed versions of traditional myths, and gentle guidance along your own personal path. A real find for the novice or advanced seeker alike.

Kindling the Celtic Spirit: Ancient Traditions to Illumine Your Life Through the Seasons

Average customer rating:

Still Don't Know How She Did It
Not what I expected.
Celtic Sprit
A lovely book
Kindling the Celtic Spirit in 2006

Kindling the Celtic Spirit: Ancient Traditions to Illumine Your Life Through the Seasons
Mara Freeman
Manufacturer: HarperOne
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Folklore & Mythology | Social Sciences | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books

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Celtic | Earth-Based Religions | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books

ASIN: 006251685X
Release Date: 2000-12-26

Amazon.com

For over 2,000 years, oppressors and natural disasters have worked against the Celts, threatening to obliterate the ancient tribe's language, traditions, and spirituality. "Yet in the past 30 years or so, many willing minds and hands have undertaken the task of rekindling the guttering flame of the Celtic spirit," writes author Mara Freeman in Kindling the Celtic Spirit. Freeman is, in fact, one of those maintaining the fire, having spent 35 years studying Celtic traditions and assembling this well-written and organized tribute. Following the format of the Celtic calendar, Freeman shares the stories, recipes, spells, and Gaelic expressions that go with each of the monthly festivals and celebrations. The February chapter celebrates the Festival of Brigit (the goddess who represents the bride or young maiden). October pays tribute to the Festival of Samhain (the celebration that marks the beginning of winter and may have been the Celtic New Year). She recounts the origins of Samhain Eve, or "Mischief Night," which Americans celebrate by trick-or-treating. She teaches magical spells, tells a spine-chilling spooky story, and shows readers how to carve turnip lanterns, using a large rutabaga.

Although she writes about faeries, tree spirits, and other mythological creatures, Freeman narrates with confidence and maturity, so that readers feel as though they are sitting with a learned scholar. The elegant pen-and-ink illustrations by Linda Carol Risso capture the humble pagan origins while respecting the sophistication of Celtic design. The upshot is a beautifully crafted book with plenty of substance for those who like immersing themselves in this enchanting, age-old tribe. --Gail Hudson

Book Description

In this beautiful treasury of sacred wisdom, Mara Freeman shares the rich legacy of the Celts -- the festivals, gods and goddesses, saints, faeries, music, poetry, and storytelling that anchor this magical tradition. Discover myths, rituals, recipes, and crafts for every month of theyear. Honor Saint Brigit with a prayer in February, or ensure a merry start to May with a bowl of frothy syllabub. Come together with friends and neighbors to celebrate community in the high days of August, then learn to weave a solstice wreath in snowy December.

Traditional blessings, ancient lore, and guided meditations inspire you to reconnect with the rhythms of the natural world, and view the sacred as an integral part of every day. Rediscover the wisdom and healing power of nature, and cultivate and honor your soul as you would the earth. Let the spirit of the ancient Celts enchant you in every season, year after year.

Customer Reviews:

Still Don't Know How She Did It.......2007-08-02

I received this book as a gift from my husband at the Winter Solstice in 2005, and finally am reviewing it. It has taken me this long because I don't quite know how to express the depth of my passion about this book. Everytime I open it, I feel I have a veritable one-volume library of Celtic lore. That's what I meant by I don't know how she did it! I've been on the Celtic path for over thirty years, and she not only puts in my favorite poems, she surprises me on every other page. Also, the recipes and activities that are at the end of each month serve to deepen the connection to the lore. Don't miss the Watercress soup from the House of Light Chapter for July, it's delicious! I honestly feel that years from now, I will still be discovering new treasures in this library.
Linda Carol Risso's illustrations are just the icing on a magical cake, clearly a fortuitous creative pairing.

Not what I expected. .......2007-07-08

It's kind of tricky to figure out what our ancestors really believed thanks to Christianity. This book really shows what I mean. I didn't see any of the "New agey fluff" that one reviewer wrote. I was excited to get the book only to be disappointed upon purchasing it. The cover is still one of the few things I enjoy about this book. It is honestly not pagan at all and never will.

Celtic Sprit.......2007-01-16

A wonderful book purchased for my son for Christmas. Couldn't help but read some of it myself before I wrapped it.

A lovely book.......2006-06-15

I love this book! I bought it right after it arrived in my local bookstore, so I've had the opportunity to use it a lot. The poetry and prayers are inspiring, and the snippets of Celtic animal and plant lore have frequently sent me in search of more information. I love the meditations, was very happy to have found the meditation cd (although I do wish the cd had all of the meditations from the book included on it, and not just selected ones.)Highly recommended!

Kindling the Celtic Spirit in 2006.......2006-03-11

In times when everything is a buzz and you are riding life instead of living it... this author reminds us to tap inside and look out instead of living from the outside in. I enjoyed this book so much that I have the sense to let things wiz by if they are not as important and my center of happiness and peace. I sleep better that way instead of letting the day run through me, I go through the day. Hope you find the same.

Average customer rating:

Non Fiction
food for thought
Enigmatic
Misses both the general reader and the historian
A good introduction to the Druidic controversies

The Druids
Peter Berresford Ellis
Manufacturer: Eerdmans Pub Co
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Ancient | History | Subjects | Books

General | World | History | Subjects | Books

Ancient | Europe | History | Subjects | Books

Druidism | Earth-Based Religions | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 0802837980

Customer Reviews:

Non Fiction.......2007-09-03

Beresford Ellis has written an introduction to Druid society and culture. It is not overly long, and reasonably accessible, I think. It looks at clearing up the misconceptions (or Asterix caricatures :) :) ). For those interested in learning something about this group of people, this book is certainly worth a look.

food for thought.......2004-07-21

Ellis's writing style can be a bit frustrating for the pagan reader, but as a student of history I found this book most enjoyable. The author's theories about the similarities between Celtic and Indian culture are, if nothing else, intriguing. I feel that the material was presented in the manner intended: as a sampling of the evidence that will hopefully inspire others to do the research for themselves. As a Celtic reconstructionist pagan, I personally share his views on "new agers" claiming to follow a Celtic path. A triumphant book that delivers us from the New Age dregs of revisionist religion to at least a plausible level of ancient custom.

Enigmatic.......2003-05-28

Who were the Druids? This group, surrounded by legend and folklore for millenia, continues to fascinate moderns, perhaps because of the enigmatic character of their identity. Probably most of the popular images of Druids -- of being tree worshippers, of being itinerant poets and prophets, of being priests who practiced human sacrifice and built strange structures such as Stonehenge -- are generally misperceptions, perhaps even deliberate 'character assassination' attempts by the victorious political and religious authorities that moved into Druid areas. Indeed, the bulk of Classical information on the Druids comes from anti-Druid writings of the Romans.

`By the time the Celts themselves came to commit their knowledge to writing, they had become Christianised and, not surprisingly, the Druids continued to get "a bad Press". Their portrayal remains an extremely biased one.'

In this very readable book on The Druids, Peter Berresford Ellis presents an examination of the archaeological, etymological and historical evidence to give an account of the identity and importance of the Druids in early Celtic societies.

`The Druids emerge as the intellectual caste of ancient Celtic society. They were the doctors, the lawyers, the ambassadors, the advisors to kings. They also had a religious function.'

One historical fact that is often overlooked is that the early Celtic 'empire' was as expansive as the Roman Empire, stretching from Britain and Ireland in the northwest, through Gaul and central Europe north of the Alps, stretching as far as Turkey to the east, and also extending down into Iberia. The Celtic language group includes influences on all major European languages as well. However, the Celtic empire had no imperium, no central structure or organisation, but was rather a loose confederation, in which the Druids, as the intellectuals, helped to keep a cohesion of social life if not political and economic life.

The Druids operated largely without writing, following the tradition of many early peoples by using an oral tradition of learning and history. Thus the earliest appearances of the Druids come from Greek and Roman writings. The Druids were seen as a philosophising, priestly caste, also somewhat of a civil authority. Indeed, both Julius Caesar and Cicero mention the Druids in their writings, and one Druid ambassador even addressed the Roman Senate in search of an alliance against the barbarian Germanic tribes (Caesar, however, with intent to conquer Gaul, persuaded the Senate to support the Germans so as to facilitate the conquest of Gaul -- of course, shortly thereafter the Germans became the enemies of Rome, and would remain so for the most part for the rest of Roman history).

Ellis examines the Druids from many vantage points, looking at the writings about the Druids by both insiders (Celts) and outsiders. Ellis also examines the religion, rituals, and wisdom of the Druids, which includes subchapters on schools, books, philosophy, law, history, poetry, music, medical knowledge, art, astronomy and astrology, and mysticism.

Ellis argues in his final chapter that the Druids never truly disappeared. As a social class, rather than as a narrowly-defined group of wizards and priests, the Druids as an intelligensia remained under a new classification, but this social strata was slowly destroyed by the nations who conquered the Celts and made strides to assimilate or eliminate the Celtic peoples. Ellis traces the literary/historical chain of events that led to the identification of the Druids as a small subset of this intelligensia, mostly those dealing with religion and the arts, most commonly associated with secret rites or witchcraft, which is present in today's thinking about the Druids.

`Celtic and Druidic "truth" of every description -- from "arcane knowledge", "karmic destiny", "the true path", to "mystic awareness" -- are solicited in the commercial deluge of New Age philosophies. The Druids and the Celts were there when our seventeenth and eighteenth century ancestors sought "Romanticism" as a counter-balance to the "Age of Reason" and industrialisation. It is not surprising that they are still being reinvented at this time because, in our sad and sorry contemporary world, people still want a quick fix on spirituality.'

This is a fascinating and highly readable text on the history of the Druids, and the history of the way the Druids have been portrayed (and misrepresented).

Misses both the general reader and the historian.......2001-07-24

To defend his lack of academic documentation in the book, Peter Berresford Ellis claims he writes for the "general reader," not the historian. I'll leave it to the other reviewers to explain how Ellis's book disappoints historians, but as a general reader I feel qualified to say it disappoints me. Here's why:

1) The book's writing style is a lengthy listing of names and places with minimal transition or elaboration to string them together meaningfully. For a general reader, Ellis makes a fascinating subject tedious to follow.

2) Some of the arguments Ellis makes are weakly supported and, frankly, appear unobjective. In a tone that crosses to sarcasm, he attacks several sources as pro-Roman (i.e. untrustworthy) without explaining his evidence thoroughly.

A good introduction to the Druidic controversies.......2000-12-17

Peter Berresford Ellis is a popular historian, not an academic historian. The primary difference between popular and academic historians is that they write for different audiences. Ellis' work has been criticized for lacking the kind of detailed references that a peer-reviewed book or article would include. The reader must guess where the citations and allusions may be researched and accept the citations and translations as accurate.

Hence, you're not likely to find many historians recommending an Ellis book to their students. But students who have read Ellis will have a very clear idea of what materials to look for. And he does a very good job of challenging long-standing interpretations which have always been flimsy or weak at best. Unfortunately for him, the science of historical analysis requires accountability and Ellis refuses to be accountable. He takes his case to the popular audience and hopes to influence the broader imagination.

That's all well and good, but some of his research has been challenged and Ellis has had to make at least one major retraction in his career. He is a Celto-centric writer and people of Celtic heritage should be glad to know there is still a dedicated flag-waver around. But in the end, no matter how well he writes, no matter how thorough his research, Ellis must be regarded only as a popular historian. In that respect, he is one of the finest popular historians I've had the pleasure to read.

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