Customer Reviews

A History of Pagan Europe

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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.

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.

I was afraid this book would be dogmatic and slanted towards New Age Paganism and Mother Goddess mumbo jumbo, but it turned out to be a solid, scholarly book. At points, it is difficult to follow the scores of references to different times and places, but working through the details is worth the effort. If you're interested in pre-Christian European history, this is an excellent piece of research. A good historiographic source, too.

Jones & Pennick (J&P) present a well-documented text that provides substantial history for pagan culture, society, and religion. Their work does not challenge or argue with faith traditions. Their task is simply to offer available information about Europe's original socio-religious culture. (J&P speak only briefly to Asian and Middle Eastern influences.) Their point is to inform, not convert.

J&P begin by defining "paganism" as the original rural society and religious culture from the islands of the eastern Mediterranean (about 3000 BC). (The authors correctly point out that only after Christianity's 4th century legalization did "pagan" become synonymous with- and negatively connoted to- "non Christian".) Their narrative incorporates Greek, Roman, and Nordic influences in paganism's long history. Much of this story speaks to Christianity's medieval suppression (especially through the 5th and 11th centuries) of pagan rites and worship. By the end of the book J&P document paganism's modern emergence across the globe.

The book also proffers interesting arguments for pagan origins of various Christian characteristics and practices (i.e. Church's royal purple dating from the Etruscan -1500 BC- priestly color (p. 32), Christianity's 5th century assigning Christmas to Dec. 25th- the Mithric Day of the Unconquered Sun (p. 76), and the canonization of St. Bridget from the popular Scots/Celtic goddess Brighde (p. 101). Additionally, J&P tell of newly Christianized medieval kings' destruction of pagan culture and religion across the continent and paganism's continual resurgence through history.

The 200 page (hardback) is a quick read, especially for those unfamiliar with paganism. The book (containing 11 chapters) also includes a plethora of photographs (several in each chapter), maps, drawings, and an extensive 10 page bibliography.

This book is recommended to those hoping to understand paganism, students of religion, European historians, curious Christians, and clergy of all faiths. You will find this book illuminating.

I had been previously accustomed to reading Pagan history from the viewpoint of Christian literature and writers, who unfortunately portray this faith as cruelly despotic, ignorant, irrational, filled with hatred and prone to bouts of fiery persecution. In choosing this book I was seeking a balanced, informative and historically accurate account of Pagan culture from an objective perspective. I began to read with some trepidation as to whether the book could fulfill my criteria, knowing that Prudence Jones is a respected Pagan academic. However, she clearly remained within the stringent ethics of scientific research and enquiry, carefully laying out her extensive 20 year period of dedicated study into this subject.

The first amazing revelation for me was the authors etymological elucidation of the term `Pagan' and its origins, misuse, and applications throughout history. She forwards a correct working definition in combination with the principal characteristics of its use within an animistic religion. As a modern spiritual movement Paganism is a holistic, earth-centered, Goddess orientated, polytheistic, theophanic religion, having as its foundation the values, ethics, culture, reasoning and rituals of ancient, pre-monotheistic societies. My understanding is that the core principals of Paganism are its capacity for inclusivity and pluralism: essentially possessing the capacity to hold or incorporate almost any philosophy, notion or spiritual concept.

Jones manages to assess the entirety of European Paganism, from the pre-classical civilization in Crete (circa 2800 BCE), through to the Greeks, Etruscans, and the Romans up to the fall of the empire; the incorporation of foreign cults from the east such as the worship of the Egyptian Isis, Mithraism and Christianity. She also considers Islam, the Irish and Celtic world, the Germanic peoples, the Baltic, Russia, and the Balkans to Byzantium. From the high Medieval period (950-1350) her story takes the reader through to the renaissance and the reformation, the great witch hunts (1480-1650), the age of reason and science to the principle romantic revival movements of the 19th century; the Druidic revival at Primrose Hill in London in 1792, the romantic notions of Edward Carpenter (1844-1929) and Neo-Paganism in the 20th century typified by the Order of the Golden Dawn, Theosophy, Wicca and Celtic Druidism.

Several observations and accounts of the author improved and enlightened me. The appraisal of the ancient and classical Greek and Roman pagan faiths were contrary to my previously held understandings and gave a more realistic and accurate picture. My perceptions of ancient Greece and Rome were colored by ideas of empirical, domineering and arrogant cultures. I was surprised to learn of their day to day faith, hearth cultures, belief in spirits, numerous deities and complex organization. I found myself truly inspired by Jones account of the actual mechanics of ancient pagan spiritual practice, this not being a subject I had encountered before. I was also struck by the manner in which political allegiances affected the status of paganism as official religion in many countries, that there was an `ebb and flow' of belief and practice (Christianity did not simply replace the old order); groups or individuals reverting back to their prior religious path or even holding a dual faith. Just as amazing for me was to discover that there were Pagan intellectuals, polemicists, and apologists working to defend their faith against Christian incursions.

As I read on to through the historical accounts I realized that as a religion Paganism has never really died out, being practiced in some form, in some way somewhere in the world. As the Catholic Church spread across western Europe it incorporated many Pagan rituals, the reformation preserved the ancient languages and dialects of people through the translation of the Bible. Jones's conclusion is that Paganism is constantly being reaffirmed, repackaged, in constant revision within the context of establishing itself as a movement concerned with balance, harmony and social equality, a spirituality that is complimentary to rather than at odds with mainstream forms of belief. Modern Neo-Pagans are not concerned with hierarchy or dominance, and it is comforting to know that the voice of a relative minority is leading the path with spirituality married to ecology and humanist concern on a global platform.

I have serious reservations about the book, considering that their section on Lithuania has some glaring mistakes, one of which is where they claim that a Duke Sventaragis chose the site of Vilnius. Sventaragis was never a person, but a sacred site. Two, in the legends it is Gediminas, one of the major Grand Dukes who is credited with the founding of the capital city.

The rest of the text is worth a read, but they should have done further research into the Balts.

This is an interesting survey describing the various pagan religions; the process of their merger/supplantation by Christianity, their perseverance as "folk religion" and even their modern re-emergence. Nothing really heavy, but nice scholarship buttressed by a nice bibliography. On the bad side, it seemed a bit too much of a sell job for "goddess" worship and the section of Hungarian aboriginal religion was weak and, I believe, mildly inaccurate. Since Hungarians believe they spring from the Sumerians, there may have been more interesting connections. Nevertheless, the authors do a lot in a compact space.

This ADF approved text proved to be very enjoyable. Not only was it more educational than it's slim 220 pages would lead you to believe, it was also well written and not at all dry. This book is perfect for anyone wanting a broad spectrum treatment of pagan europe as well as having descriptive chapters on the Greeks, Romans, Celts, Germanic, Baltic, Russian and Baltic.

There was a certain sort of comfort reading this book as well. For one, we are shown how much paganism persisted even into modern times. As a modern day pagan, I often feel like a salmon swimming upstream against the current, but the book shows how paganism didn't just fall over like a leaf to the wind to the forces of Christianity. It fought back, persisted and even resurged over and over again. The current resurgance of paganism in modern times then seems like it is just part of the wave, rather than an isolated uprising.

Also, I found curious to note that much of ADF's focus on the Kindred would seem to be found here. The authors note again and again the pagan worship of ancestors, spirits and gods, just as we modern Druids in the order do. Additional mentions of the World Tree as well as a plethora of cauldrons and wells, further illustrates the firm grounding of our path in the past, not made up in its entirety.

All in all, this was a very enjoyable book, actually, proving that history does not have to be boring. It's presented in an interesting fashion and it's (deceptively) short length hides the wealth of knowledge to be gained here.

I really was prepared to enjoy this book, but it does not live up to my expectations. The authors consistently over-generalize and sometimes indulge in romantic misinterpretation to further their thesis.

They start out on the wrong foot by characterizing Neopaganisms as conceiving of all deities as facets of a symbolic Goddess and God; in other words, not classically polytheistic. I certainly hope that anyone reading this book is well educated enough in the varieties of Neopagan thought to recognize how silly this is. It really only describes Feminist paganism well; it's not even close to correct for Wicca, Asatru, multiple Reconstructionist, and many Neopagan Druid faiths; those are only the first to cross my mind.

By the time I read the authors describe the ancient Minoan religion in similar terms, I was already well aware of the book's revisionist agenda. There is plenty of decent research put into their crummy conclusions, so it's quite a waste.

This is the kind of survey that, if it were attempted by a real historian, would be very interesting to read. Ronald Hutton's books do an excellent job of this in terms of British history specifically, but to my knowledge the same kind of historical survey, focusing on the continuity and transformation of Pagan theology over time, does not exist in a broader work that can be relied upon for accuracy. I suggest simply reading up on the individual cultures discussed, reading the myths themselves, and of course always verifying that your sources know what they're talking about.

I am surprised to find this book on the ADF recommended reading list. It just doesn't hold up to scrutiny.