Helpful Score: 4
"The Druids" penetrates the veil of fiction and folklore by painting a compelling picture of a central aspect of Celtic society that has been shrouded in mystery for centuries. The author's insights are extremely fresh, based on impeccable scholarship, and presented in an engaging style certain to interest readers from all backgrounds.
Helpful Score: 4
Very detailed and interesting reading.
Helpful Score: 3
This book was well-researched and informative. There is a lot regarding history and folk-tales from what is a hard subject to find the truth in since there was not a lot of written documentation as to who the druids actually were in the past. When the researched information may or may not be correct (from older sources who were biased in one way or another) the author makes a note to let the reader know. There is much in the way of keeping the druid research broad in this book, as it also deals with the neo-druids of today.
It's interesting also, because I recognize a lot of the events, whether they are historical or mythological, that have inspired many of the fantasy writers of today. I'm also sure I made a hash of many of the names in this book because my pronunciation of Gaelic is awful and I didn't take the time to Google the correct pronunciations as I read.
It's interesting also, because I recognize a lot of the events, whether they are historical or mythological, that have inspired many of the fantasy writers of today. I'm also sure I made a hash of many of the names in this book because my pronunciation of Gaelic is awful and I didn't take the time to Google the correct pronunciations as I read.
This book was well-researched and informative. There is a lot regarding history and folk-tales from what is a hard subject to find the truth in since there was not a lot of written documentation as to who the druids actually were in the past. When the researched information may or may not be correct (from older sources who were biased in one way or another) the author makes a note to let the reader know. There is much in the way of keeping the druid research broad in this book, as it also deals with the neo-druids of today.
It's interesting also, because I recognize a lot of the events, whether they are historical or mythological, that have inspired many of the fantasy writers of today. I'm also sure I made a hash of many of the names in this book because my pronunciation of Gaelic is awful and I didn't take the time to Google the correct pronunciations as I read.
It's interesting also, because I recognize a lot of the events, whether they are historical or mythological, that have inspired many of the fantasy writers of today. I'm also sure I made a hash of many of the names in this book because my pronunciation of Gaelic is awful and I didn't take the time to Google the correct pronunciations as I read.
Wonderful book from a Celtic historian. Ellis is a terrific writer of both history & fiction. He also has the "Sister Fidelma" series about a very educated nun in 7th century Ireland.
This book has the real historical info. on Druids, not the fantasy or Hollywood version. But it is as easily read as a novel. Fast & interesting read.
This book has the real historical info. on Druids, not the fantasy or Hollywood version. But it is as easily read as a novel. Fast & interesting read.
