The Celts: Based upon the S4C Televison Series

by John Davies

A new account of the thoroughly captivating Celtic culture-and official companion to a major, critically acclaimed international TV show-explores their origins and development, and follows their movements into Scotland, Wales, Ireland, Cornwall, the Isle of Man, Brittany, and Galicia. Each fascinating chapter, illustrated with color photographs and maps, is based upon one program in the six-part series. From prehistoric Europe to near-obliteration to the dawn of a new self-assertion, a centuries-long story unfolds in visually splendid fashion.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Ancient History

192 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2000

About the author

John Davies (1938-2015) was a Welsh historian and a television and radio broadcaster. After teaching Welsh history at the University of Wales, Aberystwyth, he retired to Cardiff and appeared frequently as a presenter and contributor to history programmes on television and radio.

In the mid-eighties, Davies was commissioned to write a concise history of Wales by Penguin Books to add to its Pelican series of the histories of nations. The decision by Penguin to commission the volume in Welsh was "unexpected and highly commendable," wrote Davies. "I seized the opportunity to write of Wales and the Welsh. When I had finished, I had a typescript which was almost three times larger than the original commission," wrote Davies. The original voluminous typescript was first published in hardback under the Allen Lane imprint. Davies took a sabbatical from his post at the University College of Wales and wrote most of the chapters while touring Europe. Hanes Cymru was translated into English and published in 1993, as there was "a demand among English-speakers to read what was already available to Welsh-speakers," wrote Davies. A revised edition was published (in both languages) in 2007.

In 2005, Davies received the Glyndŵr Award for an Outstanding Contribution to the Arts in Wales during the Machynlleth Festival. He won the 2010 Wales Book of the Year for Cymru: Y 100 lle i'w gweld cyn marw.

Reviews

[Anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book examines the history of the Celts, spreading throughout Europe but mostly focused on the British Isles. I enjoyed the pictures and an overview of the Celts interactions with Ancient Rome, understanding a bit of their religion and architecture, and seeing how they adapted through history. Most of the topics aren't examined in as much detail as I would have liked, but the book is a good introduction to Celtic history.

[Anthony Zappia · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very readable book on the subject but I think I prefer this one as the TV series the book was based on. In certain sections the book really needs more maps to describe what has happened or movements that have been happening.

[Jbondandrews · Rating 2 out of 5]

Another difficult book to rate. Not sure why John Davies wrote this book. He didn't offer anything new to the topic. He seemed to think it necessary to mention human sacrifice and only said almost as a side note that human sacrifice only possibly happened in times of stress and fear.

[Erdem Karaadam]

Apart from whence they came, gives a very thorough insight about who the celts were and where they are now. This is in fact a hard copy print of a TV documentary series, so maybe one might as well watch it. The landscapes are so beautiful that even after reading the book I, too would like to watch it :)

[Catriona333 · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you needed another reason to remember why the Irish hate the British and why King Henry VIII was a thug you, my friend, will love this book too!

[Wendy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a thoroughly fascinating read from cover to cover. In depth details of how the Celts first came into being, how their culture was formed, along with their beliefs, battle strategies, etc.