Overview

A comprehensive insight into Druids in Britain since 1500, with hundreds of sources never used before. The first major overview of the subject for over 30 years.Ronald Hutton's latest book is the first comprehensive study of what people have thought about the ancient Druids and why. Written in a entertaining and accessible style it is essential reading for everyone interested in exploring our mysterious past.Most books written on the Druids hitherto have been by archaeologists specializing in the Iron Age, who have occupied a great deal of space trying to find things to say about the 'original' ancient priesthood. Most have then devoted a final section of their books to people who have called themselves Druids since 1700 - until recently with contemptuous dismissal. Hutton's contention is that the sources for the ancient Druids are so few and unreliable that almost nothing certain can be said about them. Instead he reverses the traditional balance of interest to look at the many ways in which Druids have been imagined in Britain since 1500 and what this tells us about modern and early modern society.In the process he achieves many new insights into the development of British national identities, established and 'alternative' religions, literary culture, fraternal organisation and protest movements. He also suggests new ways in which the discipline of archaeology can be perceived - which will delight some practitioners and enrage others.

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9781847252104

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Reviews

Still, the druids exercise a powerful tug on some people's imaginations, and Hutton thinks their contemporary incarnations are extremely flexible. Archaeological readers will not learn much about real prehistoric Druids from this book, but many others will relish what it reveals about the foibles of humankind. Summing Up: Recommended. General, public, and undergraduate collections. E. J. Kealey, CHOICE, April 2008, Vol. 45, No.--,

'I can't really do justice to this book in this brief review, just to say that I have learnt a great deal from it and am left inspired ... I genuinely feel that it's been money well spent.'The Druid Network

Title mention in Independent on Sunday. Title mention in the Eastern Daily Press, December 2007 'I can't really do justice to this book in this brief review, just to say that I have learnt a great deal from it and am left inspired ... I genuinely feel that it's been money well spent.' The Druid Network Still, the druids exercise a powerful tug on some people's imaginations, and Hutton thinks their contemporary incarnations are extremely flexible. Archaeological readers will not learn much about real prehistoric Druids from this book, but many others will relish what it reveals about the foibles of humankind. Summing Up: Recommended. General, public, and undergraduate collections. E. J. Kealey, CHOICE, April 2008, Vol. 45, No.--Sanford Lakoff An unique and engaging look at modern druidic movements. -Philip Freeman, The Historian, Vol. 71

Author Information

Ronald Hutton is Professor of History at the University of Bristol. As well as several major works on the British Civil War and seventeenth century history he is also the author of the Stations of the Sun, The Triumph of the Moon (Oxford University Press), Shamans and Witches, Druids and King Arthur (Hambledon/Continuum).

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