Celts and the Classical World [Paperback]

David Rankin (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0415150906 | ISBN-13: 978-0415150903 | Publication Date: October 21, 1996 | Edition: 2

To observe the Celts through the eyes of the Greeks and Romans is the first aim of this book.

Editorial Reviews

Review

...takes a valuable place beside the major compilations on the Celts published recently.
–The Journal of Indo-European Studies

Professor Rankin's book does provide a thoroughly researched and clearly presented picture of those Celts who strayed into the classical world and of the fringe Celtic communities at the moment when they were overrun and assimilated by Rome. It will remain a standard work of reference for years to come.
–B. Cunliffe, The Timer Higher Education Supplement

...intriguing, wide-ranging and highly informative...Rankin's strength is his evidently wide, admiring and scholarly acquaintance with more recent Celtic mythology, ethnography and literature.
–Simon Hornblower Times Literary Supplement

The book is an absolute delight for those who are interested in ancient Celtic civilization. In fact, it is a long time since I have enjoyed a book in this field so thoroughly.
–Peter B. Ellis, The Irish Democrat

Rankin's work is stimulating, vexing and disturbing.
–J. F. Drinkwater, The Classical Review

About the Author

David Rankin is Professor of Philosophy and Classics at the University of Southhampton.

Product Details

• Paperback: 340 pages
• Publisher: Routledge; 2 edition (October 21, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0415150906
• ISBN-13: 978-0415150903
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.4 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.9 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,420,513 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fills a real void, October 18, 2000

By 

absent_minded_prof (Massachusetts) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Celts and the Classical World (Paperback)

This is a really helpful compilation of information pertaining to this topic. There's a lot of very shaky, pseudo-mystical scholarship about the Celts out there. This, however, is a book you can trust. If you're into the Celts, or if you're a classicist interested in broadening your knowledge base, you could do a lot worse than this book. Also, if you're looking for real information about the Celts, look for the website for the Institute for Advanced Studies in Dublin. They have a School of Celtic Studies there, and everything they print can be considered a legitimate, authoritative source of information. Also, if you do pick up this book, you'll be getting a stupendous bibliography for your money, which could easily constitute a guide to a lifetime of reading on this subject. Two thumbs up.

15 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An important work, May 23, 2005

By 

Hallstatt Prince (MA. USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Celts and the Classical World (Paperback)

Some works on the Celts are almost pure archeology, others border on new age rubbish while still others use the writing of the classical Mediterranean authors whose works are not only full of contradictions but were written for the audience of the times they were written as a type of political propaganda. Rankin is a scholar who bridges these gaps and offers a level headed approach to the Celts who came in contact with the classical world. Authoritative and reliable.
A must for the Celtophile.