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Exploring the World
Exploring the World of the Druids
A book that is difficult to classify - a popular introduction to the history of Druidism whose scope necessitates a brief study, yet it is thoroughly up-to-date incorporating new ideas and research. Ten chapters look at the archaeology of the druids, celtic practices, the classical literature, sacrifices, prophecy, female druids in celtic society, sacred places and priests, druids in Irish mythology, the 18th and 19th century revivals, and modern beliefs. The bibliography is accompanied by a directory of modern druid organizations.
192 pages, Hardcover
First published June 1, 1997
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
July 17, 2023
I found this to be an informative book on what ancient sources have to say about Druids (such sources are few and far between) as well as about the cultural context for these sources. The author's archaeology expertise is clear in the book's emphasis on the remains of monuments and artifacts. I appreciate the inclusion of a wide range of images, a thorough index, and a substantial 'further reading' list. Unfortunately, the last section on contemporary Druids is not so great -- contemporary Druidry and its relationship to other traditions/paths is vastly oversimplified and some of the information is incorrect (for instance, the Wiccan Rede is characterized as a central principle of "modern paganism" rather than Wicca in particular, and witchcraft and Wicca are conflated). Wicca and Druidry are linked together in this final chapter, but with no reference to the relationship between Nichols and Gardner which seems a rather important historical context to omit when discussing these paths sharing 'the wheel of the year.'
August 28, 2014
Good overview of what is known about druids…actually known, not speculated over.
Very little is known though…and most of that from hostile sources (I’m looking at you Rome!). The rest of the knowledge is from archaeological sources and therefore subject to interpretation.
The quality of the illustrations throughout is fairly mixed, but that’s a minor point. Otherwise a very good book and an antidote to some of the more neo-druid pish that’s out there.
Very little is known though…and most of that from hostile sources (I’m looking at you Rome!). The rest of the knowledge is from archaeological sources and therefore subject to interpretation.
The quality of the illustrations throughout is fairly mixed, but that’s a minor point. Otherwise a very good book and an antidote to some of the more neo-druid pish that’s out there.
July 17, 2008
This is a comprehensive, copiously illustrated volume that is sufficiently academically rigorous for the well-informed layperson, but straightforward and sufficiently full of eye candy for the neophyte. Green covers what we actually know about the Druids (not a lot, really), their place in myth and legend, and the Neo-Pagan Druidic movement.
February 1, 2016
This was an OK history book. Uses more archeology evidence that I usually like in a history book. Excellent pictures of Druidical items. Recommended
July 15, 2017
This was a very informative, it not also still an ambiguous book. The book attempts to discern the origins and purpose of the Druids. What initially makes the book ambiguous is that the Druids and Celts are almost intertwined; it seems that the Druids were the learned/priestly part of the Celtic society, while the Celts are the general (and largely European) masses. Yet, this inference is not conclusive, nor defined in the book.
Moreover, the geographical lines in Europe that we know today, as well as historically, does and does not strictly deliniate strictly unique Celtic, let alone Druidic distinctions; both populations were widespread in Europe. While there are cultural differences among French (Gaul), English, German and Irish Celts, the veneration of the nature and the supernatural world are common among all. However, a crucial problem in studying and evidencing anything of the Druids and/or the Celts is that the Greek/Roman accounts, as well as the archeological evidence are both ambiguous, and therefore, inconclusive. The Greek/Roman prejudices show both favor and aversion to the Celts, and subsequently, the Druids. The Celts and the Druids also did not keep written records as their traditions were passed on verbally, and in the Druids case (and this comes from the classical writers), via a lengthily apprenticeship. The archeological ‘evidence’ is also not conclusive one way or the other: the goods buried with a body could be that of royal or class veneration; not reflective of Druidic purpose. Even the human sacrifice evidence is not totally conclusive, though it is believed that these sacrifices are for the favor and appeasement of the Celtic gods.
Therefore, there must be a balance in what one studies about the Celts and subsequently, the Druids. I was particularly disturbed by the various means and murder for human sacrifices, as it prompted me to question the nature of the god who would demand human (and slaughter) sacrifice for appeasement. Broadly, when one studies human cultures, there is a measure of this type of sacrifice.
Chapter 7 goes into the sacred areas for the Druids, which reinforces the veneration and connection, with nature and the supernatural. Nature and the supernatural are not separate, which later in European history, creates the clash between Christianity and the Celts, and again, subsequently, with the Druids.
Ironically (in chapter 9), when the Druids are revived, via European interest, there is a romantic connection between Europeans and the Druids, in that the Druidic religion was assumed to have a direct connection to early Christian religion, where there wasn’t one. Again, some of the classic authors felt that the Celtic ways and religion were more barbaric than, and inferior to, their own. Historically and ironically, Rome was later conquered by Christianity. Yet, the classic authors and later, Christianity respectively felt their respective religions, was better/superior to the religions each encountered, and both respectively tried to conquer the minds and religions of those they encountered. Nevertheless, interested Europeans had as much inconclusive information on the Celts and Druids that we have today. So the revival was not based on anything substantive.
Chapter 8 goes into the influence of the Druids’ purpose and powers in Irish myth. This chapter goes into some structure in terms of Druids power in maintaining the natural balance in relation to the secular Irish world as well as the Druid power toward prophecy. It provides the flavor as well as the inexplicable tie of the Irish worldview between nature and the supernatural worlds.
The final chapter, 10, goes in to the common beliefs between Wicca and the Druids (in what today’s Druids believe are its basic tenets) with their respective, yet common objective (respect and balance of nature). Wicca has a female orientation; the Druids have the male sun god with the female earth goddess. Both return to the balance between nature and the supernatural, with mankind’s respect of that balance. However, the Druids are mostly male (with different structures between three Orders of Druids) in hierarchy, with one having female membership. The Druids in relation to Stonehenge is very interesting as there is no conclusive evidence that Stonehenge is tied to the Druids; the Druids of today feel there is a sacredness of the structure to its rituals. However, the English feel it imperative to protect the structure from vandalism (which is has suffered) and therefore, restrict the Druids to the structure to minimize its deterioration. This creates a conflict in the Druids’ freedom to worship as it chooses.
Finally, the book does provide the reader with contacts for membership and more information on the Druids.
So one comes away with a ‘current’ and fluid sense of who the Druids were/are today, even if the historic and therefore, concrete view/structure, culture is still, ambiguous.
Moreover, the geographical lines in Europe that we know today, as well as historically, does and does not strictly deliniate strictly unique Celtic, let alone Druidic distinctions; both populations were widespread in Europe. While there are cultural differences among French (Gaul), English, German and Irish Celts, the veneration of the nature and the supernatural world are common among all. However, a crucial problem in studying and evidencing anything of the Druids and/or the Celts is that the Greek/Roman accounts, as well as the archeological evidence are both ambiguous, and therefore, inconclusive. The Greek/Roman prejudices show both favor and aversion to the Celts, and subsequently, the Druids. The Celts and the Druids also did not keep written records as their traditions were passed on verbally, and in the Druids case (and this comes from the classical writers), via a lengthily apprenticeship. The archeological ‘evidence’ is also not conclusive one way or the other: the goods buried with a body could be that of royal or class veneration; not reflective of Druidic purpose. Even the human sacrifice evidence is not totally conclusive, though it is believed that these sacrifices are for the favor and appeasement of the Celtic gods.
Therefore, there must be a balance in what one studies about the Celts and subsequently, the Druids. I was particularly disturbed by the various means and murder for human sacrifices, as it prompted me to question the nature of the god who would demand human (and slaughter) sacrifice for appeasement. Broadly, when one studies human cultures, there is a measure of this type of sacrifice.
Chapter 7 goes into the sacred areas for the Druids, which reinforces the veneration and connection, with nature and the supernatural. Nature and the supernatural are not separate, which later in European history, creates the clash between Christianity and the Celts, and again, subsequently, with the Druids.
Ironically (in chapter 9), when the Druids are revived, via European interest, there is a romantic connection between Europeans and the Druids, in that the Druidic religion was assumed to have a direct connection to early Christian religion, where there wasn’t one. Again, some of the classic authors felt that the Celtic ways and religion were more barbaric than, and inferior to, their own. Historically and ironically, Rome was later conquered by Christianity. Yet, the classic authors and later, Christianity respectively felt their respective religions, was better/superior to the religions each encountered, and both respectively tried to conquer the minds and religions of those they encountered. Nevertheless, interested Europeans had as much inconclusive information on the Celts and Druids that we have today. So the revival was not based on anything substantive.
Chapter 8 goes into the influence of the Druids’ purpose and powers in Irish myth. This chapter goes into some structure in terms of Druids power in maintaining the natural balance in relation to the secular Irish world as well as the Druid power toward prophecy. It provides the flavor as well as the inexplicable tie of the Irish worldview between nature and the supernatural worlds.
The final chapter, 10, goes in to the common beliefs between Wicca and the Druids (in what today’s Druids believe are its basic tenets) with their respective, yet common objective (respect and balance of nature). Wicca has a female orientation; the Druids have the male sun god with the female earth goddess. Both return to the balance between nature and the supernatural, with mankind’s respect of that balance. However, the Druids are mostly male (with different structures between three Orders of Druids) in hierarchy, with one having female membership. The Druids in relation to Stonehenge is very interesting as there is no conclusive evidence that Stonehenge is tied to the Druids; the Druids of today feel there is a sacredness of the structure to its rituals. However, the English feel it imperative to protect the structure from vandalism (which is has suffered) and therefore, restrict the Druids to the structure to minimize its deterioration. This creates a conflict in the Druids’ freedom to worship as it chooses.
Finally, the book does provide the reader with contacts for membership and more information on the Druids.
So one comes away with a ‘current’ and fluid sense of who the Druids were/are today, even if the historic and therefore, concrete view/structure, culture is still, ambiguous.
September 8, 2019
This book does not necessarily tell you everything you ever wanted to know about the Druids.
Actually, there seems to be little hard evidence about them to find out. It does, however, attempt to present as much as possible of what evidence there is. There are vast numbers of pictures included of archaeological artifacts from the late Bronze Age and early Iron Age areas thought to have been inhabited by the Celts, the people with whom the Druids are associated. There are also artists renderings of how people in later eras viewed the Druids.
The main sources of information we have about the Druids are classical authors such as Caesar, Pliny, and Strabo, and mythic cycles, mostly Irish and Welsh, written down in the medieval period, supposedly from earlier oral traditions. Before they encountered the Greeks and Romans the Celts were pretty much non-literate. Caesar mentions that the Druids did not like to have any of their religious lore written down; he speculates that this was to keep it a secret from those who were not initiated and to encourage the memories of those who were.
Caesar is one of the most important classical sources concerning the Druids, probably owing to his long residence in Gaul during the Gallic wars and his friendship with the Druid and ruler Divitiacus. He seems to have understood Divitiacus’ position as both religious leader and political leader especially well, as it seemed analogous to his own position as Pontifex Maximus and later Dictator in Rome.
All the classical writers mentioned human sacrifice in connection with the Druids, and there seems to be quite a bit of archaeological evidence to support this idea. The classical writers don’t fault them for their animal sacrifices, but they do look down on the human sacrifices, as these had been mostly abandoned by Roman times (executions as punishment are, of course, another matter).
Lots of other areas of Druidism, including the gods they likely worshiped, the role of priestesses, their role as judges or arbitrators, the yearly cycle of their festivals, and the places they worshiped are covered in the book. The author is careful to point out the role that prejudice and conjecture have played in our understanding of the Druids. There seem to be very few solid indisputable facts on the ground here.
There is a very nice section on the mythic cycles of Ireland and Wales included. It explains some of the roots of such concepts as the Tuatha Dé Dannan, and the Morrigan and Badbh that have shown up in some of the fantasy stories I have been reading lately.
At the end of the book are a couple of sections on more modern Druids, including a few people from the seventeenth century on who fancied themselves Druids and attempted to bring their religion back. Some of these were poets and artists, including the eccentric William Blake. Another of these men was apparently the first to connect the Druids to Stonehenge. However, whatever the Druids did to or at Stonehenge, they can’t have been its original builders, as it dates to a much earlier time.
The last chapter gives an overview of Druids in the twentieth century, along with a list of some of the largest Druid groups practicing today. Most of these groups have evidently dropped the human sacrifice element from their practice. At the back of the book, there is information on how to contact these groups in cases you want to become a Druid yourself.
This was a library book.
Actually, there seems to be little hard evidence about them to find out. It does, however, attempt to present as much as possible of what evidence there is. There are vast numbers of pictures included of archaeological artifacts from the late Bronze Age and early Iron Age areas thought to have been inhabited by the Celts, the people with whom the Druids are associated. There are also artists renderings of how people in later eras viewed the Druids.
The main sources of information we have about the Druids are classical authors such as Caesar, Pliny, and Strabo, and mythic cycles, mostly Irish and Welsh, written down in the medieval period, supposedly from earlier oral traditions. Before they encountered the Greeks and Romans the Celts were pretty much non-literate. Caesar mentions that the Druids did not like to have any of their religious lore written down; he speculates that this was to keep it a secret from those who were not initiated and to encourage the memories of those who were.
Caesar is one of the most important classical sources concerning the Druids, probably owing to his long residence in Gaul during the Gallic wars and his friendship with the Druid and ruler Divitiacus. He seems to have understood Divitiacus’ position as both religious leader and political leader especially well, as it seemed analogous to his own position as Pontifex Maximus and later Dictator in Rome.
All the classical writers mentioned human sacrifice in connection with the Druids, and there seems to be quite a bit of archaeological evidence to support this idea. The classical writers don’t fault them for their animal sacrifices, but they do look down on the human sacrifices, as these had been mostly abandoned by Roman times (executions as punishment are, of course, another matter).
Lots of other areas of Druidism, including the gods they likely worshiped, the role of priestesses, their role as judges or arbitrators, the yearly cycle of their festivals, and the places they worshiped are covered in the book. The author is careful to point out the role that prejudice and conjecture have played in our understanding of the Druids. There seem to be very few solid indisputable facts on the ground here.
There is a very nice section on the mythic cycles of Ireland and Wales included. It explains some of the roots of such concepts as the Tuatha Dé Dannan, and the Morrigan and Badbh that have shown up in some of the fantasy stories I have been reading lately.
At the end of the book are a couple of sections on more modern Druids, including a few people from the seventeenth century on who fancied themselves Druids and attempted to bring their religion back. Some of these were poets and artists, including the eccentric William Blake. Another of these men was apparently the first to connect the Druids to Stonehenge. However, whatever the Druids did to or at Stonehenge, they can’t have been its original builders, as it dates to a much earlier time.
The last chapter gives an overview of Druids in the twentieth century, along with a list of some of the largest Druid groups practicing today. Most of these groups have evidently dropped the human sacrifice element from their practice. At the back of the book, there is information on how to contact these groups in cases you want to become a Druid yourself.
This was a library book.
April 12, 2021
I picked up this book as a reference for my Irish background which I was researching. I was very surprised to find that my picture of Druids, in the Merlin & Dumbledore mold, was not based in any factual knowledge. It was interesting to find that my vision of them was influenced by the romanticised stories of 18th century writers who were taken with the idea of the "noble savage" & from there constructed an fantasy of these early people & their early religion that endures today.
In reality, most of what we know about Druids is gathered from artifacts & classical writers whose sources are questioned. The Druids believed that memorization of rituals & beliefs was important & therefore wrote little. I am as repulsed by their human sacrifices & shocked by the viciousness of their methods as were the Romans & the Greeks. I learned a lot about Druids from this book, and my Druid Irish fantasy has been crushed. (Stonehenge was not built by Druids! Sob!)
In reality, most of what we know about Druids is gathered from artifacts & classical writers whose sources are questioned. The Druids believed that memorization of rituals & beliefs was important & therefore wrote little. I am as repulsed by their human sacrifices & shocked by the viciousness of their methods as were the Romans & the Greeks. I learned a lot about Druids from this book, and my Druid Irish fantasy has been crushed. (Stonehenge was not built by Druids! Sob!)
January 3, 2024
"Exploring the World of the Druids" by Miranda J. Green covers druids from the first known writings. Green also covers modern Druidry up to the 90s. Some of the information isn't up to date, but it does give a well-rounded explanation of the life of a druid, both then and now. I am reviewing this from that time rather than from today.
I loved the illustrations and pictures. I also loved how the book had chronological charts, written in a proper and orderly fashion, as well as excellent resources for further reading. Though the book isn't extensive, the amount of material covered in such a condensed version is outstanding.
I recommend this book to get an overall idea of what it means to be a Druid, both in antiquity and semi-modern. It is not a completely accurate resource for the modern druid, but for its time, it is excellent.
I loved the illustrations and pictures. I also loved how the book had chronological charts, written in a proper and orderly fashion, as well as excellent resources for further reading. Though the book isn't extensive, the amount of material covered in such a condensed version is outstanding.
I recommend this book to get an overall idea of what it means to be a Druid, both in antiquity and semi-modern. It is not a completely accurate resource for the modern druid, but for its time, it is excellent.
November 16, 2019
I thought that this would be a quick easy read because of the many photos and illustrations. Actually it is incredibly dry. There is zero interpretation of anything, zero opinions, zero conjecture. It is all just dry facts. For the early period where little is known except for Cesar's writings it is mostly just an archaeological history. Even the modern period is just statement after statement. I imagine that this was the author's intention- only what is demonstrably known from first hand writings and archaeological evidence.
It is hard to believe that I could find a subject that fascinates me so boring but so it is.
It is hard to believe that I could find a subject that fascinates me so boring but so it is.
September 28, 2017
This is like a Doring-Kindersley travel guide - lots of pictures, not so much text. The book is organized well enough, if repetitive, but the bottom line is that from Classical authors, Irish and Welsh legends written in the Middle Ages (but containing story elements likely composed much earlier), and the archaeological record, we just don't know much about pre-Christian or pre-Roman Celtic culture, let alone who druids were or what precisely their function was in society. So if all you've read about them comes from Asterix, you're not going to glean much more here.
August 30, 2020
back in the pre-internet days (published in 1997), books like this provided simple introductions to a variety of interesting topics. it's hard to come to any real conclusions due to lack of actual source texts, but the subject is interesting. this book ends with a chapter on modern druid orders, out of curiosity and to see what still exists, I'm almost motivated enough to look them up. +1 for all the gory descriptions of human sacrifice.
October 9, 2017
Informative, but really served to point out how little we know about pre-Roman history in Europe. Most of our knowledge is inferred from archeological evidence and a few Roman historians, including Julius Ceasar himself.
June 13, 2018
Druids are not sugarcoated or romanticized in this book, and the author even addresses past romantic writings and fantasies of druids. However, she does not include druid references in modern pop-culture. I also enjoyed the last chapter, which covers the druid orders of today.
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March 6, 2022I didn't read it all the way through but read chunks of interest
would not have read it alone in the house at night if I had known the amount of pages dedicated to human sacrifice and the over use of the word "horrific"
would not have read it alone in the house at night if I had known the amount of pages dedicated to human sacrifice and the over use of the word "horrific"
August 4, 2019
a fine introduction, but I do wish it went a bit more into everyday life details.
June 3, 2021
I think the information on modern Druidism needs to be updated but otherwise a rather informative book.
June 21, 2022
An interesting overview to accompany my exploration of modern druidry.
December 16, 2014
This book examines Druidism in both ancient and modern times. A most interesting point, which is not made until near the end of the book, is that the modern traditions have very little to do with the ancient. In fact, during the romantic movement of the 18th century, antiquarians such as John Ogilvie, John Aubrey, and William Stuckeley revived the long-dead Druid tradition by completely recreating it, assigning it new rituals and prayers that became new standards of practice. Modern Druids claimed (Druid) ancestry dating back to ancient times, when in fact no bloodlines could be traced to those times. Most amazingly, the ancient Druids had nothing to do with Stonehenge and other stone circles. Yet, when the faith was reinvented, strong attachment was made to ancient stone circles. Modern Druids sometimes clash with authorities about performing rituals in such circles, claiming the right to religious freedom, despite the fact that their ancient tradition was not associated in any way with the circles.
The ancient Druids are explored through citing and evaluating ancient writing, and through examining archeological artifacts. There are many pictures and illustrations (with commentary) and a time line, which add visual interest and context. Ancient roles of Druids in religion, government, philosophy, and poetry are discussed. Customs and rituals such as casting crafted objects and bones of animals and humans into lakes and bogs is speculated upon. Female Druids and sacred places such as Bath are discussed. As this book recreates ancient history through actual evidence, there are gaps in the information. The reader sometimes needs to link stories together for him/herself, which makes the book somewhat challenging to read and understand.
By contrast, the modern (since the 19th century) Druid world is explained in a more flowing, easy to read manner. It is also illustrated with photos and artwork. History has fewer gaps during this era, so the story flows more easily for the reader. It would have added interest to be informed of the contrast between ancient and modern Druids at the beginning of the book. This contrast could have set up an interesting counterpoint right from the beginning.
Students of Druidism will like this book. Anyone who enjoys a pictorial approach to history and/or presentation of evidence with little speculation will appreciate it. It is a somewhat scholarly volume, not everyone will want to read it cover to cover. Plenty can be gleaned from the illustrations, captions, and sidebars. Also, the sections are clearly defined, in case a reader wants to focus upon certain aspects of Druidism.
The ancient Druids are explored through citing and evaluating ancient writing, and through examining archeological artifacts. There are many pictures and illustrations (with commentary) and a time line, which add visual interest and context. Ancient roles of Druids in religion, government, philosophy, and poetry are discussed. Customs and rituals such as casting crafted objects and bones of animals and humans into lakes and bogs is speculated upon. Female Druids and sacred places such as Bath are discussed. As this book recreates ancient history through actual evidence, there are gaps in the information. The reader sometimes needs to link stories together for him/herself, which makes the book somewhat challenging to read and understand.
By contrast, the modern (since the 19th century) Druid world is explained in a more flowing, easy to read manner. It is also illustrated with photos and artwork. History has fewer gaps during this era, so the story flows more easily for the reader. It would have added interest to be informed of the contrast between ancient and modern Druids at the beginning of the book. This contrast could have set up an interesting counterpoint right from the beginning.
Students of Druidism will like this book. Anyone who enjoys a pictorial approach to history and/or presentation of evidence with little speculation will appreciate it. It is a somewhat scholarly volume, not everyone will want to read it cover to cover. Plenty can be gleaned from the illustrations, captions, and sidebars. Also, the sections are clearly defined, in case a reader wants to focus upon certain aspects of Druidism.
April 27, 2009
This book is one of my favorite beginner books on the Druids. It tells the truth about the Druids without romanticism. It gives the descriptions available from the classical writers and tells you why they said what they did. It talks about the possibility of human sacrifices that a lot of books just won't talk about.
The book is well researched and documented. It is written in simple language and makes for an interesting read. There are a lot of pictures in it to corroborate the text and it is beautifully organized to give you a nice flow.
The author gives archeological evidence which she then corroborates with evidence from vernacular texts and the classical writers. She gives information on further reading which is always a good idea for someone like me who just wants MORE.
The only drawback is that it is intended for the beginner, some one who is looking for more in depth information are better off getting more specialized books.
The book is well researched and documented. It is written in simple language and makes for an interesting read. There are a lot of pictures in it to corroborate the text and it is beautifully organized to give you a nice flow.
The author gives archeological evidence which she then corroborates with evidence from vernacular texts and the classical writers. She gives information on further reading which is always a good idea for someone like me who just wants MORE.
The only drawback is that it is intended for the beginner, some one who is looking for more in depth information are better off getting more specialized books.
October 22, 2015
This book is very comprehensive in the historical documents by Greek philosophers and Roman authorities and the archaeology of the Druids and Celts. Certainly this is an eye-opener if you think Druids are adventurous sorcerers with nature empathy and Celts are the Irish of antiquity--an unfortunate stereotype that I, as a gamer, had fallen into. Miranda Green addresses a little bit of all topics and supports her composition with a myriad of quotes from Pliny the Elder, Cicero, Julius Caesar, Strabo and more, meanwhile half of the layout is possessed by ink art work and selected photos of archaeological finds. To the Druidic theme of circles connecting different lives, Green started with antiquity and concluded with modern Druids who wish to no revive the ancient pagan religion but adapt it to the stage of evolution our society currently holds.
June 1, 2007
This is a literary and archeological overview of what is actually known about the Druids role in early (think a couple of centuries straddling 'year zero') Celtic society, which isn't a heck of a lot. It's actually a bit refreshing in its straightforwardness, and even traces the the contemporary romanticization and rise of Druidic societies from the 18th century to present day. A neat trick, given the evidence that the real druids had a penchant for violent sacrifice. And Stonehenge? Not Druidic, despite the contemporary culties who claim its sacred space.
With lots of pics and illustrations of artifacts, this is either a coffee-table book for ancient Euro-history nerds or brain candy for academics.
With lots of pics and illustrations of artifacts, this is either a coffee-table book for ancient Euro-history nerds or brain candy for academics.
July 13, 2012
This was well written and has lots of graphics to interest the reader. Its not meant to be a reference work but the bibliography lists many authoritative works that are reference works should one need to delve deeper into the topic of Druids and Druidry. Like many cults, the early Druids seem to be particularly barbaric; later Druids seem to be reluctant to share the how-to's of their wisdom; but its really quite difficult to know this particular group of individuals since they had no written language.
July 30, 2011
Forget about the thinner volumes stuffed with mystical whimsy and photographs of Stonehenge and dark forest glades. This is probably the most comprehensive , academically rigorous and readable survey of what is known and supposed about the Druids, from ancient to modern times. What's more, there are lots of images - the artefacts, the sources and the myth that now sticks the topic like half masticated toffee.
November 4, 2016
It was a good read - a bit redundant at times but that is how history can be, many things criss-crossing over themselves. One thing became clear to me - no one really knows much about the druids, and the accounts are based on limited historical accounts that very well may have been sensationalized to make the indigenous Druids unpopular. This happens all the times when history is written by the so-called "conquerors".
July 30, 2013
A well presented overview of the Druids backed up with by both Roman written records and archaelogical evidence from all over the Celtic world. A fascinating insight into the belief systems, rituals and practices of the Druids with a whole host of illustrations and photographs to help the imagination.
July 16, 2016
An easy read, set out like a kid's Eyewitness book with illustrations on every page and information boxes. It examines the evidence, written and archaeological, in a balanced and accessible manner. It even addresses the Druid renaissance (or reinvention depending on your viewpoint) of the 18th century and its progression into the 1990s. A good overview.
October 14, 2010
It was alot of information to absorb but I now know alot more than what I did about the history of the Druids. It wasn't too easy of a read yet, the artwork was well placed. I thought the illustrations were the best part of the book.
March 18, 2012
This is the best book I've come across that introduces Druids and Druidism. There's a nice balance between text and pictures and just about every subject that pertains to the people and religion is covered.
December 17, 2016
A detailed, interesting look at ancient druids using the very limited information we have on them. A great final section on modern druidry. This includes a awkward mention of shamans, who recite, and I quote, "mumbo-jumbo." Ouch.
May 22, 2009
I learned about the druids, who they were, what they believed and how important they were to the Celtic people. I thought she did a good job providing a great overview of the Druids.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews