Customer Reviews

Way of the Druid: Renaissance of a Celtic Religion and its Relevance

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

First, let me say, the material, or what remains of it, is valuable. To clarify my problem with the book I received, I caution anyone who orders it, to understand that Amazon is selling a bad printing. The book is NOT the Paperback: 424 pages Amazon says it is. It is only 275 pages and has been edited down, probably to save printing costs. My bigger problem is that the original table of contents, as well as the index have been retained (instead of being renumbered) and so all of the page numbers have become inaccurate in relationship. The author and his work is excellent and I am sorry that he may suffer sales as a result of poor production.

Graeme Talboys is to be congratulated on the writing of such an effortlessly readable yet intellectually satisfying account of the history, nature and practice of the modern Druidic tradition. This book is written for Druids and non-Druids alike and both will learn from it. The book begins with a succinct but useful history of the Celts and then proceeds through philosophy, cosmology, ritual and practice. One of the most difficult aspects in writing a book of this type is getting the structure right - taking the reader through the various aspects of Druidy in such a way that they receive the right information in the right quantity and in the right order; this is the book's strength. The writing at times seems to suggest a preference for solitary practice over the institutional. His section on modern organisations could have offered the reader more information on contemporary orders. It was interesting to note that the Bibliography contains no books by either Philip Carr Gomm or Emma Restall Orr, both leading figures in major contemporary Druid communities. The Way of The Druid is an excellent addition to contemporary writing on modern Druidry and I recommend it to anyone who wants to know more about its beliefs rituals and practice.

Seemingly effortless in it's portrayal of a complex subject, I agree with the other reviewers who consider this the best book on Druidry available. I only wish I had found it 15 years ago! Easy to understand, accurate, encompassing a wide variety of topics, practical, well organized & engrossing. Kudos to Graeme Talboys!

The last year some fine books have come out on the druid way. I have read quite a few books on celtic religion and druidism. Mr. Talboys new book covers it all from the ancient to the modern "druid way". His insights are great and his understanding of the ancient celtic worldview super. The book my be a big step for someone new to the druid path. For people who are looking for ancient and modern wisdom of the druid path..this is it. I really can't say enough good things about this book! Buy, read, and learn from a great druid! You will have a better understanding of the druid path after the read.

I have been a Druid for twenty-three years and I have recommended this book to my adult children and others who are interested in the Druid path. It is a thought provoking read - but it is not a book for reading in one sitting. I found myself going back, re-reading, and contemplating the intent of what was written. I enjoyed it a lot, and recommend it highly. It should be on every Druids book shelf. It represents the metaphysic principles of the Druid path that I have not found anywhere else. It defines and explains the essence of what a Druid should be in the here and now based off of historical evidence of the Celtic culture and the Druids. It briefly explains the past of the Celtic culture without becoming a boring thesis. This naturally sets up why Druids were Druids and how they interacted with the tribe.

It suggests doctrinal and theological principles that Druids likely taught in relation and perception to the Celtic way of life and perspective. Many of which we would do well to emulate and thus the title - it is very appropriately title for the contents of this book.

It does not have any rituals, but these are available from several other sources. It simply reflects what a Druid should be, steeped in Celtic lore of one living in our harried world of today. Good read - get it.

In addition to being the best book on Druidry that I've seen in the last few years, this author includes extensive information on Celtic history. Highly recommended reading for anyone interested in either of these two subjects.

This book is perfect for the established Druid or those who are just curious. It offers a lot of important background information that other books I have read leave out. After reading this book, I feel a renewal in my Celtic and Druid beliefs.

This should be required reading for all Druids, from aspirant to sage. It philosophically drills down to the core of essential ideas and the very nature of druidic spirituality. It gets below the surface idea of a druid and outlines Celtic thought and how it applies today. Best book on Druidry I've read so far.

Fantastic book on Druidism history and practices as thoroughly as it can be known. As a pagan, it was fascinating to discover how closely related their ancestral beliefs were to Native Americans. If you are a spiritual seeker who relates well to nature, or are someone interested in Celtic history, this book will not disappoint.

In books dealing with religion and the mystical, there is a lot of nonsense, mixed with the occasional gem. This book belongs to the latter category. It is lucid, sensible and informative.

Talboys does not try to convince that his version of Druidry is a rebirth of the ancient, but freely admits that modern Druidry is a reconstruction which may not bear a true resemblance to the original. I found this refreshing. What he does, in a scholarly way which is yet fully accessible to the intelligent layman, is show that his vision of Druidry is authentic as far as it is possible to go and within the ethos of the original as far as we are able to be.

If you want to know what modern Druidry is about, in as historic a way as is possible in our current state of knowledge, then this is a book you will not be disappointed in. I especially liked his non-confrontational attitude to other religions, which he sees as being in the "Ancient Wisdom" tradition too, but probably more suitable for people with a different temperament to those attracted to Druidry. I felt very close to his assertion in the Conclusion that religious wars are a contradiction in terms, as those who take this path are not truly religious but are "souls in torment" who only wish to visit their own pain on others.

This is a masterly work on the Druid faith, and I heartily recommend it to those interested in Druidry and to more general students of comparative religion.