The World of the Celts [Hardcover]

Simon James (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1993 | ISBN-10: 0500050678 | ISBN-13: 978-0500050675 | Edition: First edition.

"The whole race...is madly fond of war, high-spirited and quick to battle...and on whatever pretext you stir them up, you will have them ready to face danger, even if they have nothing on their own side but their own strength and courage" - Strabo, first century BC. Warlike, flamboyant, courageous - the ancient Celts had a fearsome reputation, even among the bellicose Romans. For 500 years they dominated the barbarian lands north of the Alps, before being largely absorbed into the Roman Empire. But Celtic culture survived and achieved a glorious flowering in the post-Roman, early Christian era. Today Celtic influence can be found everywhere, in arts and crafts, in legends, in placenames and even in the languages we speak. In this new introduction to the world of the Celts, Simon James looks at all aspects of their history. Individual sections chart their rise, their way of life from farming to feasting, their wars, their gods, and their superb craftsmanship. Also highlighted are the hitherto neglected subject of Celtic life under Roman rule and persistent traditions that led to the Celtic renaissance in Ireland after AD 400. Original features include the latest discoveries; extracts from classical authors; illustrated retellings of the most famous myths and legends; tables of comparative information; diagrams, maps and site plans. The Celts once held sway over much of Europe, from Caledonia to Asia Minor. Here is the whole story of this immensely inventive and influential people.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Richly illustrated... sheds a strong light on the art and life of a gifted people." --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

About the Author

Simon James is Senior Lecturer in the School of Archaeological Studies at the University of Leicester and an authority on the Roman military. --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 192 pages
• Publisher: Thames & Hudson; First edition. edition (October 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0500050678
• ISBN-13: 978-0500050675
• Product Dimensions: 9.9 x 7.8 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.9 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #655,695 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Museum Walk, June 29, 2003

By 

Patricia T. (Indiana, originally) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The World of the Celts (Hardcover)

I read the paperback edition of this book, but this account of the Celtic life and its interaction with the Roman Empire is much like a walk through a prominent museum. The sections are succinct and strike a fair balance between archeological/anthropological fact and general interest. The time frame and breadth of countries are far-reaching. However, I thought the author was adept at linking it all and keeping continuity in a "plot line" that spanned nearly a millenium.
The book is well illustrated and as much time can be invested in addressing the illustrations as reading the text. Essentially the book explains the provenance of those with Western European roots and underscores, again, how markedly the Roman Empire influenced what was to become modern Europe.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A surprising good little book, June 2, 2005

By 

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

This review is from: The World of the Celts (Hardcover)

Although someone skimpy on information in places this book is a fairly good introduction and also should have a place in anyone's Celtic library. The illustration depicting the handle assembly of a La Tene sword is alone worth the price of the book for those interested in the archeological artifacts of the Celts.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Best Introduction to the Celts Ever! Also for the know it alls., February 15, 2007

By 

Abeer A. E. Alkhamees "Ciannait" (Kuwait, Kuwait Kuwait) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The World of the Celts (Paperback)

I have read a lot of books on the Celts, as they happen to be a passion of mine. So when a friend of mine asked me to read this book and tell him how acurrate it is, of course I jumped at the chance.

First off this book is great for both beginners in the field and for people who are not, but want to update their information. It has beautiful pictures accompanied with lots of information and trivia.

It talks about all the new ideas that have been discovered lately and corrects a lot of others that have been going around for years.

I bought my own copy after reading my friends and now I use it as a reference for my students ( I teach Celtic History of the Internet).

I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to REALLY learn about the Celts and where they came from, and their beautiful culture.