A Dark History of the Celts

A Dark History Series

by Martin J. Dougherty

Barbarians or civilized peoples? Uncultured savages or fearsome warriors? The Celts have long been a subject of enormous interest, speculation, and misunderstanding. Before the Vikings, before the Anglo-Saxons, before the Roman Empire, the Celts dominated central and western Europe, but who exactly were the Celts and how have our perceptions of them changed throughout history? Arranged thematically, A Dark Celts examines all aspects of their culture from religion to society, myths and legends to warfare and their expansion and decline in Europe. Illustrated with 180 color and black-and-white photographs, maps, and artworks, A Dark Celts is an exciting history of one of the first great peoples of Europe.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, British Literature, Research, European History

Hardcover

First published January 1, 2015

About the author

Hailing from northeast England, Martin J Dougherty is a professional writer specialising in military history. He has been at times a games designer, an engineer, a self-protection instructor, a teacher and a defence analyst. Martin has published a range of books covering topics as diverse as self-protection, medieval warfare and space flight, and has addressed international conferences on anti-shipping missiles and homeland security issues.

Martin's interests include martial arts and fencing. He has coached Fencing, Ju-Jitsu, Self-Defence and Kickboxing for many years at the University of Sunderland, and has competed to national level as a fencer. As a martial artist he holds black belts in Combat Ju-Jitsu, Nihon Tai-Jitsu and Self-Defence. Martin is a Senior Assessor with the Self-Defence Federation and an IL1 instructor/assessor with the Britsh Federation for Historical Swordplay, specialising in the Military Sabre and the Smallsword.

Reviews

[Brandon Wofford · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great addition to any history shelf covering what is and what is not known about the celts as a society. The general interpretation the majority of people have due to Roman literature was they were uncivilized barbarians, which proves to be quite contrary to the common historical understanding of the Celts. It admits there is much that is unknown and much more that is simply inferred about them but does a good job painting an accurate picture of what life was like as well as how their culture emanated throughout the region.

This reads very much like a high school history textbook and goes in about as much depth as you would expect a textbook to go into as well. It covers all major events with important details without regaling you with too many useless details. The majority of the first three-quarters of the book is dedicated to Celtic culture - housing, metalworking, societal structure, clothing, etc. The last few chapters describe the histories of the particular regions mostly in the context of their conquests and battles, leading to their eventual dissemination under Roman rule.

The last few pages summaries perfectly as to why this information is important - because Celtic society was incredibly varied and rich and that their influence endures in a countless way through modern society.

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a great addition to any history library. It really sheds light on some of the "other" cultures that the people who are your main focus of any early western civilization courses were trading and interacting with. Details the Gaul/ Celtic culture from late BCE through the withdrawal of Roman forces from Britain around 350 CE.

[Marie schrempf · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is the first bad review I have ever written for a book but I could not get over the horribly lacking descriptions on images and the poorly organized format. This book did offer some good information, but I am certain there a better books on the history of the celts out there, so I suggest you do not read this one.

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great place to start when diving into the history of Celtic peoples. It offers a solid general overview and provides a good foundation for any further reading about the Celts.

[Margret · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fascinated book with beautiful pictures. I love History books.

[Krys · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun and easy read, but they don't cite sources or credit images so you can't do the usual following of threads.
Bibliography is short but solid.

[Lawrence Snouffer · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not so great. Continuous reminders of what is not known. Little to no details of what is known. Reads like a junior high school text. I have learned much more from History Channel documentaries.

[Natasha · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was really excited to read this book and learn more about Celtic history and culture... however it was not at all what i expected. I did learn somethings but it was like the author was writing for people who already knew a lot about it. Several places could have had been made clearer with more information that anyone could understand. Overall it was an interesting book, but I wish it would have been an easier read that helped me learn more about Celtic history rather than just leaving me with more questions than answers.

[Michael · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hmmm...I was disappointed with this. The title of this book was a bit misleading. I didn't get dark and obscure history of Celtic peoples. I got an overview of Celtic histories, peoples, and cultures through time that I could have gotten elsewhere. I had expectations to go into bog bodies and the rituals and theories surrounding them. More info, at least a chapter, on Boudicca. The woman that united multiple Celtic tribes and had the Romans shookethed.
But no.

The layout of the book was good though. Providing the foundation for what makes Celtic culture and people tick was good and then getting into them throughout time. So I can't say much bad on the formation and writing of the book. I'm just a special brand of unhinged and want obscure, occult, disturbing histories.

Pictures were pretty too.

[Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

I discovered that having historical information about the Ancient Celts is almost impossible based on negative accounts being so prevalent in other cultures such as the Romans.