Miranda Green

This book is very comprehensive in the historical documents by Greek philosophers and Roman authorities and the archaeology of the Druids and Celts. Certainly this is an eye-opener if you think Druids are adventurous sorcerers with nature empathy and Celts are the Irish of antiquity--an unfortunate stereotype that I, as a gamer, had fallen into. Miranda Green addresses a little bit of all topics and supports her composition with a myriad of quotes from Pliny the Elder, Cicero, Julius Caesar, Strabo and more, meanwhile half of the layout is possessed by ink art work and selected photos of archaeological finds. To the Druidic theme of circles connecting different lives, Green started with antiquity and concluded with modern Druids who wish to no revive the ancient pagan religion but adapt it to the stage of evolution our society currently holds.… (more)

This book is a great introduction to the rich world of Celtic art! I thought that it would be very general, but it present the subject with just enough detail to feel like nothing is neglected. Green focuses on the physical nature of the artwork produced by the Celtic peoples and makes it very clear that while they were rich in imagination, artistic expression was often of a very practical nature. From kitchen supplies to warrior gear, the Celts seem to have decorated everything with intricate metal-, wood-, and leather-work - proving that beauty was an intrinsic cultural value.… (more)