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Oct 7, 2008 16:14:44 GMT -1
Post by Tegernacus on Oct 7, 2008 16:14:44 GMT -1
Since this came up in an unrelated thread, I thought it would be more useful to the general population if it had a discussion of it's own. Anne Ross isn't a great source. She's fixated on the idea of a pan-Celtic society, which is now an outdated mode of thought. Some of her books are still quite useful, especially Pagan Celtic Britain - but it's best used for the sources rather than for her dodgy conclusions. and: Barry Cunliffe's little book is rrrubbish. So for people coming to Brython, who are maybe looking for some recommended authors... who would you recommend then? Prof Green? Pryor?
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Oct 7, 2008 17:29:02 GMT -1
Post by Sìle on Oct 7, 2008 17:29:02 GMT -1
Barry Cunliffe's little book is rrrubbish. Really? I found his book rather informative and have moved on to the expanded version. So for people coming to Brython, who are maybe looking for some recommended authors... who would you recommend then? Prof Green? Pryor? I don't think you will get much concensus on that one. I've heard all of the authors mentioned in your post slated, at one point or another, by students/professors of history. I don't think historians/archaeologists can ever agree on what's what as, for as far as I can tell, they can only speculate based on what little evidence is available across what is becoming a broad spectrum of studies ~ history, archaeology, DNA testing, languages, literature, etc. Even so, I am still reading " Pagan Celtic Britain" by Ross (which appears to be a rather long list of archaeological finds; and " Britain BC" by Pryor and I will also read Green's books. I figure, if I keep reading I may be able to discern the incorrect information for myself and get a better overview. Thus, I would be inclined to recommend them all.
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Oct 7, 2008 17:58:38 GMT -1
Post by dreamguardian on Oct 7, 2008 17:58:38 GMT -1
I personally prefer the work of Miranda Green. What do oyou all think?
Rob
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Oct 7, 2008 18:14:00 GMT -1
Post by arth_frown on Oct 7, 2008 18:14:00 GMT -1
I personally prefer the work of Miranda Green. What do oyou all think? Rob I vote Green. ;D
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Oct 7, 2008 18:17:30 GMT -1
Post by dreamguardian on Oct 7, 2008 18:17:30 GMT -1
I personally prefer the work of Miranda Green. What do oyou all think? Rob I vote Green. ;D In more ways than one, I guess!
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Oct 7, 2008 18:18:05 GMT -1
Post by Adam on Oct 7, 2008 18:18:05 GMT -1
Thanks Tegernacus, nice move for those of us without the academic nouse to perhaps distinguish between the different antipersonnel weapons in this particular minefield.
One of my strategies for taking book recommendations in a subject that I cannot hope to build the acumen necessary to be confident in my own judgements is to pay particular attention to people who otherwise appear to talk sense... there appears to be an unusual concentration here... so I'm interested in the outcomes, even if they conflict... ;D I've had two votes for Miranda Green now, so thanks Rob and Arth
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Oct 7, 2008 18:48:22 GMT -1
Post by redraven on Oct 7, 2008 18:48:22 GMT -1
Hutton's book "The Druids" should be compulsory reading to ground yourself in what actually is recorded in history about that particular subject, and although some may not like his style, his conclusions do standup, IMHO. There are various other authors I like, though not strictly Brythonic material, (which is a relatively new subject, is it not? and therefore limited at this time) and I am finding a lot that applies equally to Brythonic study though it is not intended for it. Does this list also include fiction writers who make a decent fist in attempting to weave a tale using a basis in fact?
RR
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Oct 7, 2008 19:10:29 GMT -1
Post by Sìle on Oct 7, 2008 19:10:29 GMT -1
Does this list also include fiction writers who make a decent fist in attempting to weave a tale using a basis in fact? Perhaps you could start a separate thread? Just to make things easier for the newcomers.
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Oct 7, 2008 20:04:05 GMT -1
Post by Heron on Oct 7, 2008 20:04:05 GMT -1
One book which I like, which is not about the Druids of the Ancient World but about how they have been successively revived between the 16th and the 18th centuries is A L. Owen's The Famous Druids. Long out of print as far as I know and probably someone's PhD thesis, but it gives a fascinating critical account of the uses of the idea of druids for various political, literary and religious purpose from Holinshed's Chronicles to William Blake. According to Drayton's Polyolbion of 1612 they "dwelt in darksome Groues, there counsailing with sprites" while Blake viewed them much more optimistically : "All things begin & end in Albion's Ancient Druid Rocky Shore". By 1910 the subject index of the British Museum Library had "DRUIDS. See CELTIC RACES: STONEHENGE". Hmmm
What it reveals, basically, is that some things never change!
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Oct 7, 2008 20:54:57 GMT -1
Post by dreamguardian on Oct 7, 2008 20:54:57 GMT -1
;D I've had two votes for Miranda Green now, so thanks Rob and Arth Her Books: Gods of the Celts Dying for the Gods Dictionary of Celtic Myth & Legend Are particulary good
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Oct 7, 2008 22:34:37 GMT -1
Post by megli on Oct 7, 2008 22:34:37 GMT -1
I personally dislike Barry cunliffe because when he talks about things in my particular field of expertise he is usually flatly wrong.
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Post by Craig on Oct 8, 2008 5:52:12 GMT -1
Anyone got an opinion on Philip Freeman?
I've just picked up his 2006 book, The Philosopher and The Druids, from my local library. it is an exploration of the life and travels of the greek philosopher Posidonius. I haven't really got into it yet but would be interested in any academic opinions.
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Post by megli on Oct 8, 2008 7:18:03 GMT -1
Haven't read it, alas, Craig.
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