The High Kings

Nice overwiew of the pre-Arthur time of Great Britain. I really enjoyed the little known stories, most of them being pretty thorough and inspiring, beyond simple fairy tales. I also read with a lot of pleasure the short sociological facts about Celtic society and traditions, which give the reader just enough insight. Am not totally convinced that these short essays are all that accurate, but this book is not a dry scholar paper so I can forgive some freedom...

What a lovely overwiew of Celtic culture. The author alternates between short, intriguing essays on Celtic society and traditions, and actual Celtic stories. The ballance is perfect. The reader is given just enough background to understand each story. By the end of the book, though, a detailed impression of these remarkable people has been woven. The shcolarship is never pretentious or dull, and the stories are told with a sensitivity that avoids any awkwardness in dealing with subjects like magic. The stories are products of the Celtic culture and are presented in that context. They appear, not as childish fairy tales, but as rich and vibrant reminders of a culture that thrived in Britain for about a thousand years.