Celtic Heritage [Paperback]

Alwyn Rees (Author), Brinley Rees (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1, 1989

In this widely acclaimed study, Alwyn and Brinley Ress reinterpret Celtic tradition in the light of advances made in the comparative study of religion, mythology and anthropology. Part One considers the distinguishing features of the various Cycle of tales and the personages who figure most prominently in them. Part Two reveals the cosmological framework within which the action of the tales takes place. Part Three consists of a discussion of the themes of certain classes of stories which tell of Conceptions and Births, Supernatural Adventures, Courtships and Marriages, Violent Deaths and Voyages to the Other World, and an attempt is made to understand their religious function and glimpse their transcendent meaning.

Product Details

• Paperback: 430 pages
• Publisher: Thames and Hudson; Revised edition (May 1, 1989)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0500270392
• ISBN-13: 978-0500270394
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.3 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #492,790 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

51 of 54 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The cultural background that gave rise to the Celtic legends, December 21, 1999

By 

John E. Carroll (Funchal, Madeira) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Celtic Heritage (Paperback)

Celtic Heritage is not intended as a collection of the ancient myths and legends of Ireland and Wales, a simple glance at the cover copy and the introduction should make that clear, nor is it one of those currently faddish, cobbled together New Age warm fuzzy spirituality entertainments supposedly based on secret Celtic lore.

It is a book that explains the ancient cultural traditions that gave birth to and passed on a literature that continues to interest and inspire the average reader as well as writers and artists. The Rees are experts in their field, not popularizers, however their book is not an arcane tome intended for Ph.D candidates. If after you have read the stories of the Red Branch and Finn and the Fianna elsewhere you want to know more about their world, this may well be the book for you. Anyone of moderate intelligence and a serious curiosity about the subject will have no problem dealing with the writing style.

50 of 53 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The "Bible" of Celtic Research, February 12, 2000

By 

Vicki M. Copeland "Rowan Moonstone" (Colorado Springs, CO USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Celtic Heritage (Paperback)

If you only buy one book on Celtic culture, make it this one. I've already worn out two copies. Indespensible material on the background and basis of Celtic mythology. Absolutely necessary to understanding the Celtic world view. Definitely not New Age fluffy bunny by a LONG shot. Advanced work and well worth the reading.

46 of 49 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Solid reading for those who want to explore the culture, February 15, 2000

By 

Francine Nicholson - See all my reviews

This review is from: Celtic Heritage (Paperback)

If you have already read some of the medieval sagas of Ireland and Wales (like the Tain or the Mabinogi) and you want to know more about the cultures that gave birth to those tales, then this is the book for you. Although this classic volume is not recent, its content remains factual, reliable, and fascinating. This is not a book to be read at one sitting. Give yourself time to consider each chapter carefully. Perhaps you'll want to read or reread some of the tales before going on. For those who follow this approach, this book can be a source of inspiration as well as information.