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104 of 113 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
By and large a well-researched book, August 6, 1999
This review is from: A History of Pagan Europe (Paperback)
For a scholarly and historical approach to the history of European paganism (as opposed to the cr*p and nonsense offered by several Pagan and/or New Age authors), this book is extremely readable and well-researched. It's not perfect; I have a few doubts about some of its claims, like that the Vikings had a "trinity" of Freya, Odin and Thor, that maypoles are Pagan remnants in the British Isles or why a picture of a sheila-na-gig was included when nothing was said about sheila-na-gigs (and which, contrary to popular modern-day Pagan opinion, are *not* remnants of ancient Paganism), but the book also does not go off into fanciful and nonsensical flights about unbroken lines back to the Neolithic, ancient matriarchies, worldwide ancient "Great Goddess" worship or alleged "peaceful" cultures with no implements of war. One of the consultants on this book was Dr. Ronald Hutton, a historian at the University of Bristol, whose opinion I trust a lot, although the authors mention in the introduction that he 'refrained' from commenting on their interpretations (I can see where he was probably biting his tongue since a few things they claimed were in contradiction with what he's claimed in his own books). I found the book hard to put down and was particularly interested in their honest summation of modern-day Paganism at the end and its more modern origins (some Pagans would like to think otherwise). (ObDisclaimer: I am a Pagan myself). For them's that wants historical accuracy rather than candy-coated New Age feminist revisionist histories, this book, in my opinion, is hard to beat.
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51 of 55 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Must-Read for All Pagans, May 19, 2002
This review is from: A History of Pagan Europe (Paperback)
This is hands down the best book on paganism that I've ever seen! -The first thing that drew me to it was the fact that it had information about pagan cultures from ALL of europe, not just the Celtic lands. (I like the Celts alot, but those of us who want look into our Germanic or Slavic ancestry get the short end of the stick most of the time.) -Second, it presents a view that is very balanced: this is not one of those books about the mean 'ol Christians bullying peaceful fluffy pagans any more than it is about peaceful fluffy Christians converting barbaric pagans. -It is also very well researched. It was in agreement with most of what I've studied in college courses and other academic works and as an archaeology buff, this impressed me greatly. Others have mentioned this book's lack of revisionist history or conspiracy theory b.s. that make up alot of pagan histories. This gives us much more mainstream credibility. -Finally, this book has alot of useful, authentic(!!) stuff, such as photos, firsthand accounts, and folk prayers that will enrich your knowledge and worship (if you're a Pagan.) I also reccomend this book to Christians interested in history and learning "the rest of the story" about medieval Europe.
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64 of 78 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Christians & Pagans Should Read This, May 21, 2000
This review is from: A History of Pagan Europe (Paperback)
I knew nothing of the authors' bias when I picked up this book and knew no more when I put it down. Given the nature of the subject matter that says much about the authors. I have no reason to doubt the overall accuracy of the material. Given the span of time and geography, there must be some details that are incorrect, but if the reader is looking for a dispassionate history and evolution of paganism in the West, this book is a must. That is high praise in this day of revisionism where a good end justifies a lie. Christians should read this book for many reasons. Evangelical Christians must deal Wicca and other modern manifestations of the pagan religion and creditable sources are difficult to find. All Christians should be aware of the syncretic background of their religious practices Pagans should read this because it sets the record straight on the origins of their religion and its historical development. It is amply footnoted and the authors, as I have just learned, are Pagan themselves. I defer to Nicole Chardenet's earlier review for a better review from the Pagan view. For those whom it matters, I am a Sabbath observant Fundamentalist Evangelical Christian.
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