Customer Reviews

The Druid Source Book

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The Druid Source Book is a fine gateway to information for those researching Celtic religions or starting a quest for a spiritual path. Unlike many books on the subject, the Source Book is a collection of writings, essays, and articles that relate to the religious practice, gods and myths of the celts. The writings are from several different points of view and time periods. The book is devided by chronological periods so you get not only the information the articles offer, but a historical reference on how this particular religious system was viewed at differtent times of history. This book is also helpful in that many of the passeges contained within are extremely hard to find and it is nice to have them collected in one volume(even if alot of them are not complete). I recomend this book to any person with an interest in celtic religions that want to go to the source information,rather than a regurgitation by someone else, and avoid contamination by others opinions.

I've read alot on the Druid tradition of both today and in ancient times. This is an excellent read for anyone who wants to know about historical accounts of the Druids both from Roman and Irish writings. Some Druids committed most of their ideas and beliefs to memory, but the Irish Druids wrote some things down and so their accounts are in here too.

Most of these are excerpts from different writings on the subject. If you are just interested in Celtic tradition from a historical stand point or if you are interested in finding out more about what the Druids were like, this is an excellent book to read from.

It's only declining aspect is that it is dry history. Pure facts and pure history can bore some readers and so it may not be for everyone. However, it is good information none-the-less. Overall, it is a great book of Druid history.

I read a review where an individual stated that "this work was outdated'. Well the ancient druids certainly 'are' and here is a good collection of their history! It seems the more and more I read reviews of Matthews work I come across the complaint that its "dry history'. While this may be true there are also gems within the desert if one cares to look. Also all the books that I've ever read about "druid magic, techniques, shamanism etc...I have found to be worthless and just a dressed up version of wicca. The Encyclopedia of Celtic Wisdom is another example of fine writing and research. Once again we must remember this was"an oral tradition".

John Matthews is the editor of this book and has put a lot of work into collecting different material on the Druids. Some of the matterial used is difficult to find as it is out of print, or is an abridged form of larger writings.

It contains material from Caesar to Ross Nichols. Also, there is a list of further readings, and major Druid orders if your interested.

John and Caitlin Matthews are two more authors that I generally enjoy. I caught on to Celtic worship many years ago and for a long while they seemed the only non-Llywelyn published authors which were accessible. They both get kudos for being tireless translators and bringing to mainstream readership many older documents which we would not otherwise be able to read for ourselves.

The Druid Source Book is a compilation of Druid history, scholarship and commentary from a range of sources. It is especially treasured for the beginning section on the Druids in history, quoting many of the sources, Caesar and beyond, and their words. The book also contains a wealth of knowledge spanning the last two centuries or so from historians and practitioners alike. It is a very nice addition to any Druid shelf for this wealth of source material.

Matthews does a wonderful job of pulling together different treatises throughout history on how the world has and does view Druidism. This is a very dry read, but is filled with great information.

In response to the request, this book is very highly recommended by those who *really* know Druidry. John Matthews is an acknowledged scholar in Celtic lore and druidry. Bound to be helpful to the seeker.

I'm interested in this book, and was curious to read what others thought of it. If you've read it, I'd appreciate hearing your thoughts. Thank you.

(I gave it 3 stars just because I had to assign a number.)