Celtic Myths and Legends [Paperback]

Peter Berresford Ellis (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 23, 2002

This is an enchantingly told collection of the stirring sagas of gods and goddesses, fabulous beasts, strange creatures, and such heroes as Cuchulain, Fingal, and King Arthur from the ancient Celtic world. Included are popular myths and legends from all six Celtic cultures of Western Europe—Irish, Scots, Manx, Welsh, Cornish, and Breton. Here for the modern reader are the rediscovered tales of cattle raids, tribal invasions, druids, duels, and doomed love that have been incorporated into, and sometimes distorted by, European mythology and even Christian figures. For example, there is the story of Lugh of the Long Hand, one of the greatest gods in the Celtic pantheon, who was later transformed into the faerie craftsman Lugh-Chromain, and finally demoted to the lowly Leprechaun. Celtic Myths and Legends also retells the story of the classic tragic love story of Tristan and Iseult (probably of Cornish origin—there was a real King Mark and a real Tristan in Cornwall) and the original tale of King Arthur, a Welsh leader who fought against the invading Anglo-Saxons. In the hands of Peter Berresford Ellis, the myths sung by long-dead Celtic bards come alive to enchant the modern reader. "The casual reader will be best entertained by ... the legends themselves ...colored with plenty of swordplay, ... quests, shape-shiftings, and druidic sorcery."—Publishers Weekly

Product Details

• Paperback: 544 pages
• Publisher: Running Press; 1st Pbk. Ed edition (December 23, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0786711078
• ISBN-13: 978-0786711079
• Product Dimensions: 7.5 x 5.2 x 1.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #110,059 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

43 of 46 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Very good introduction to classic tales, December 21, 2004

By 

Mario G. Perez Fonseca "Gerry Blue" (Guitarland) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Celtic Myths and Legends (Paperback)

Maybe the title will get you a little mixed up. This book is noit a deep, scholar-like study of myths and legends, it is an easy to read compilation of classics from early northern europe. From Irish to welsh, to celtic myths, the stories presented here are retold by the author in a modern way, and I feel no omition has been made, from a non scholar point of view.
I'm sure there are deeper and more intricate books about Celtic Mythology, but this one is a must for starters or fans alike.
Included are many, many tales about kings, castles, quests and magic, and the author remains true to the spirit of the time, and you'll be surprised to read the original telling of the classic Cinderella.
In all, a very good read, (More than 600 pages, dozens of tales) for kids or adults alike, and a good introduction to Celtic Mythology.

20 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great books for lovers of Myths and legends, January 8, 2005

By 

Kira (Blackstone , MA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Celtic Myths and Legends (Paperback)

I bought this book before i went on a trip to Europe , and i am so glad that i did. I had read a review some where that it was a great bed time story book as well for kids, and since i had my 6 year old with me on this little trip i decided it would be a great idea. Well it was a great book and all the stories were wonderful but not all stories are good for little kids.
The stories really drag you right in and make you feel like you are right there with these people. It is refreshing to have a books filled with stories that brings the magic back to life in this cold and empty life we all lead. A wonderful escape from the drab everyday stuff.
A good thing i thought is that the author seperates them by countries of origins and then gives you a little backround info on his sources and such before you move on to the stories of each section. I was upset that there was an end to the book , its one you wish would just keep going.
This is a wonderful edition to my collection and will be read more then once for sure.

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great starter book, August 18, 2006

By 

K. Hamlett "misspants2" (Kirkland, WA United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Celtic Myths and Legends (Paperback)

I have always been interested in the stories from Greek & Roman mythology, and am just now becoming more interested in "recovering my roots" and learning more about the mythology from my own Celtic background. This book was a great way to begin learning those stories. The stories are descriptive and well-written, and come from various regions - Ireland, Wales, Scotland, Cornwall . .

I did wish that a pronunciation guide of some sort had been included. Since I am not yet very familiar with the Gaelic or Welsh languages, I wasn't sure how some of the names would be pronounced, which made it a bit difficult at times to read. But that is a minor quibble. I highly recommend this book - to beginners in the area of Celtic myhthology, and to anyone who likes to read good stories.