What do you think?
Rate this book
Ancient Civilisations: life, myth and art #7
The Celts: Life, Myth and Art
Showcasing the art of a culture against the broader context of that civilization's wisdom, "The Celts" offers a superbly illustrated survey of the artistic Celtic imagination, from manuscript illumination to exquisite gold jewelry and spectacularly decorated weapons. 200 color images.
144 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1997
2 people are currently reading
81 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
February 11, 2022
Although this may seem to be a mere coffee table book, it’s packed with rare images of Celtic artifacts, art, ring forts, ruins, and serene scenes of nature from historically significant places in Ireland and Wales. It is also an informative survey of Celtic culture and history, including the myths and religion, an exploration of their imagination, detailed discussions of their artistic styles, the archaeological evidence, and their warrior cults. Juliette Wood is an associate lecturer on Celtic tradition and mythology in the Department of Welsh at the University College of Wales, and the Secretary of the Folklore Society.
I bought this book 18 years ago, and it was one of many on the subject I didn’t read for a long time. I often paged through it to look at its brilliant collection of pictures but only now did I bother to give it a read.
It’s a good high-level overview. I even learned a few things I haven’t learned from more in depth books, like the view that Romans took of the Celts as headhunters. Apparently this may have been based on their large number of sculptures of heads and faces. But the Irish myths also involve a lot of decapitations, so perhaps this fascination with removed heads runs deeper than sculptures.
The book also contains some rare pictures of the printed Gaulish language, and many sculptures or references to Cernunnos, the horned god who appears on the famous Gundestrup cauldron, thought to have originated in the Balkans, and over a thousand years older than any existent written accounts of Celtic culture. There are a few sections on the Irish and Welsh adoration of nature, streams and springs, complete with some of the best photographs I’ve seen of Ireland and Wales far away from modern human civilization. These scenes evoke a sense of wonder and magic, and the longer you stare at them the further you feel yourself pulled into this entrancing ancient world of nature and beauty.
Also great in such a big book is its collection of images from the beautiful medieval illuminated manuscripts like the Book of Kells. And there are some terrific images and explanations of their intricate metalwork, intensely focused scribal work, and all sorts of ancient sculptures.
There’s a lot here. It’s a casual read with just the right balance of scholarly expertise and knowledge, and mesmerizing images of a gone but not forgotten culture.
I bought this book 18 years ago, and it was one of many on the subject I didn’t read for a long time. I often paged through it to look at its brilliant collection of pictures but only now did I bother to give it a read.
It’s a good high-level overview. I even learned a few things I haven’t learned from more in depth books, like the view that Romans took of the Celts as headhunters. Apparently this may have been based on their large number of sculptures of heads and faces. But the Irish myths also involve a lot of decapitations, so perhaps this fascination with removed heads runs deeper than sculptures.
The book also contains some rare pictures of the printed Gaulish language, and many sculptures or references to Cernunnos, the horned god who appears on the famous Gundestrup cauldron, thought to have originated in the Balkans, and over a thousand years older than any existent written accounts of Celtic culture. There are a few sections on the Irish and Welsh adoration of nature, streams and springs, complete with some of the best photographs I’ve seen of Ireland and Wales far away from modern human civilization. These scenes evoke a sense of wonder and magic, and the longer you stare at them the further you feel yourself pulled into this entrancing ancient world of nature and beauty.
Also great in such a big book is its collection of images from the beautiful medieval illuminated manuscripts like the Book of Kells. And there are some terrific images and explanations of their intricate metalwork, intensely focused scribal work, and all sorts of ancient sculptures.
There’s a lot here. It’s a casual read with just the right balance of scholarly expertise and knowledge, and mesmerizing images of a gone but not forgotten culture.
May 14, 2018
Very informative and beautifully published book. Contains lots of wonderful photographs and illustrations, as well as interesting facts from the history of the Celts. I really enjoyed all the parts about mythology or religion, and would recommend it if the topic is of any interest to you.
January 5, 2021
Piękne ilustracje i w sumie dużo więcej tekstu, niż się spodziewałam. Myślałam, że będą to raczej podpisy do zdjęć itp., a to jednak prawdziwa książka, do której trzeba na jakiś czas przysiąść. Z minusów: momentami zaprzecza sama sobie. Pewnie trudno tego uniknąć, jeśli podejmuje się temat pełen niewiadomych, ale jednak.
June 6, 2025
Nederlands editie: Een aangenaam geschreven overzicht over het leven, de mythen en de kunst van de Kelten, die breed historische onderbouwd is door de auteur. verder zijn er mooie gedetailleerde afbeeldingen die tot de verbeelding spreken.
Aanrader om te lezen als instap over de Kelten!
Aanrader om te lezen als instap over de Kelten!
May 27, 2021
Lovely pictures, lovely designs!
March 24, 2017
definately not what i was thinking itd be.
December 31, 2013
Very nice book that gives detailed and interesting information about celtic culture, more precisely its symbols and recurrent themes, and combine that study with a lot of beautiful photographies (stunning locations, ancient artefacts...) and drawings.
The chapters begin with a general historical presentation of the Celts and then address the religious representations, the importance of the natural world, the beliefs and legends, and the cult of heroes.
The book mostly focuses on antiquity (and on continental Celts as much as insular Celts) but when necessary also study the christianized Celtic culture of Ireland during the middle ages.
It is a presentation book, with easily understandable text for neophytes, but even for those who already know about Celtic culture, it remains a great book - informative and visually beautiful.
The chapters begin with a general historical presentation of the Celts and then address the religious representations, the importance of the natural world, the beliefs and legends, and the cult of heroes.
The book mostly focuses on antiquity (and on continental Celts as much as insular Celts) but when necessary also study the christianized Celtic culture of Ireland during the middle ages.
It is a presentation book, with easily understandable text for neophytes, but even for those who already know about Celtic culture, it remains a great book - informative and visually beautiful.
August 20, 2015
I loved this book. It's illustrations and photography are wonderful. The reproductions of the Celtic manuscript art are great--large and also broken down into segments that are just lovely to look at. The photos of jewelry and metal objects are not bad either! But the photo on pages 126-127 of Dun Aengus, Ireland, is probably the most breathtaking photo in the book. And there's just enough copy to explain photos and illustrations, too. All in all, a very readable book.
Read
January 23, 2016Fascinating and informative read that gives you the history of the Celts, their social structure, religious beliefs, and their skill has warriors. Their are wonderful illustrations and photography throughout that shows readers how masterful the Celts were not only at being warriors, but as artists and scholars as well.
July 28, 2014
A nice quick overview of the Celts and their culture leaves you wanting to learn more. The large format of the book also allows room for richly colored, full-page pictures to illustrate some of the points made by the author.
October 20, 2014
I love this book! Filled with wonderful pictures and explanations, historical information. This book is on my resource shelf.
Read
May 4, 2019To be used as an image reference guide, not a history book.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews