May 2000

This masterly survey of the history and culture of the Celtic peoples covers the whole period from their prehistoric origins to the Northern invasion of Britain. The early part of the book is concerned with the narrative history of the period, beginning with the origins of the Celts and discussing the society and culture of the ancient Gaul. The Irish and British peoples are then treated separately in their historical development. The remainder of the book is concerned with a demonstration of the peculiar genius of the Celts, and the way in which this was manifested in religion, literature and the visual arts. Much of Celtic art is relatively unknown, but has a grandeur and mystic quality which are enthralling - the myths and legends being part of a great oral tradition which can only be compared to the epics of the Classical world.

The work is fully illustrated with 64 pages of photographs, which form an invaluable complement to the text and provide a striking evocation of the world of the Celts.