Celtic Books

This has to be one of the greatest collection of Fantasy volumes I have ever read. In truth this is a collection of three books that were published as far back as the early 1980's. Magician's Law, Demon's Law, & Death's Law make up the three original volumes, published in Paperback I only wish I could get them in Hard Back. The original Art Work fully complimented the volumes and the amazingly original fictional mythology contained within. Unfortunately they are very difficult to find, so what a treasure to find this collection. I have always wanted to share these volumes but had no wish to release the original books to others, they were so important to my collection.

Scott creates a world so real you can almost hear the voice of the Bard as he works his magic. Scott peoples his creation with creatures both original and incredible, a unique class of characters that have both depth and substance. He weaves a web of intrigue and action and populates it with creatures of nightmare and wonder. One of the most important characters is of course the Bard, a man or a monster. He is seen as a Demon, a DemiGod but never a mere man, except when Scott allows us to enter his mind.

Scott is a true Seanachie, and one of the best Authors I have ever had the pleasure to read. This is one investment you will never regret.

This is an outstanding series. Rich with colorful characters, both Gods and men. A rich archeological history unfolds as the Bard attempts to save all the planes of existance from the folly of man and deity. The characters are strong, with a great sense of growth. Kept me reading late into the night; I'm a bit tired this morning but feel oddly satisfied.

This is a collection of the three books: Magician's Law, Demon's Law and Death's Law by Michael Scott.

Scott weaves a fluid story, introducing the character of Paedur the Bard. A man of learning, with a hook in the place of his left arm, he is chosen as the Champions of the Old Faith. Setting out to gain followers and stand against the rise of the New Religion and its gods, Paedur enlists the aid of an errant bandit with a claim to the thrown, a Weapon Master, a slave, a priestess, a long-dead warrior, and many others. He becomes embroiled in wars between the gods and man, making enemies among both the Pantheon of the Old Faith and the New Religion gods.

The mythology of Paedur's world is brought to life in the stories that he relates while on his mission... stories which then take on new meaning as the events they depict have fallout in the present day. The climax brings the story full circle, actually having caused me to flip back to the beginning of the first book to doublecheck something.

If there is one fault in Scott's writing, it is that the stories are woven so naturally into the tale that when the events come up again, I frequently found that I couldn't remember the details earlier presented. A timeline would have proven useful. But this is really a minor hindrance, and the series is overall extremely enjoyable.

Kelly Monaghan is 14 and lives in New York City. Today, though, she is going to travel to the land of her ancestors, Ireland, to visit her aunt and uncle and cousins, Michael and Sean, who still live there. Upon arriving in Ireland, Michael has some strange tales to tell, about an old man that only he and Sean (and now Kelly) can see and a stone found just outside the Druid's circle. Something evil has been aroused by Jack Mullen, a man who sees visions, and it looks like it will be up to the three cousins, with the help of elder Hugh O'Donnell to see that this evil is sent back where it came from. Hopefully in the process they can also rescue one of their ancestors who was placed under an evil spell.

... This story has much Irish history in it and some of the legends. Once again the author uses an old diary to tell some of the story. The Druid Stone is definitely a book for older teens as there are scenes in this story that would be inappropriate for younger children. This is a spooky story that should keep the reader interested until that last page is turned. I did have a problem with it as it justifies keeping secrets from parents.

The Druid Stone is about a girl who goes to Ireland to visit her aunt, uncle and cousins. She and her cousins discover that they have all been seeing an old Druid, who had cursed one of their ancestors a long time ago. Their visions and encounters started when Michael, one of the cousins, took a stone with indecipherable writing on it. They soon discover that they must help their ancestor and rid the world of the Ancient Druid.

This was a well-written story with strong characters and a definite plot. The combination of Irish culture and history really captured my attention. The author has excellent descriptive skills, she helps you paint a very clear picture of both the scenery and the characters.

The conflict between pro- and antagonists was clear enough to be followed easily, but complex enough to keep the reader going. Personally, I thought this was an excellent book. I highly recommend it for someone with an interest in magic, history or Ireland.

The dialogue had a casual tone, which helped add to the book's attraction. The dialect fit the characters and was in just the right amounts. In some places you could almost hear what the characters were saying.

Overall this was a great book. I couldn't put it down. The characters and the plot pull you in from the start and keep you interested till the very last word.

The Isle of Mist starts off with a young girl named Maggie grieving over the loss of her father. She and her mother get an invitation to move to Scotland with the deceased's family. They inherit a home and bookstore. Maggie begins exploring the history of her new home with her cousins. She soon learns about an ancient curse put on her father's side of the family and a way to end it.

The main characters in the story were well developed and very fitting of their age group. They were interesting and quite believable. The author painted a good picture of them that sticks with you.

The plot was clear and easy to keep track of. The author stuck to it and focused on the important things. The historical aspects were correct from my experience with Scottish folklore.

I liked this book for several reasons. You didn't have to spend much time trying to figure out the plot, and it wasn't overdone. I would recommend this book to just about anyone who likes to read. I really enjoy reading this author's work. The dialect and dialogue were well done and fit the characters, and the overall story was excellent.

Kelly Monaghan is 14 and lives in New York City. Today, though, she is going to travel to the land of her ancestors, Ireland, to visit her aunt and uncle and cousins, Michael and Sean, who still live there. Upon arriving in Ireland, Michael has some strange tales to tell, about an old man that only he and Sean (and now Kelly) can see and a stone found just outside the Druid's circle. Something evil has been aroused by Jack Mullen, a man who sees visions, and it looks like it will be up to the three cousins, with the help of elder Hugh O'Donnell to see that this evil is sent back where it came from. Hopefully in the process they can also rescue one of their ancestors who was placed under an evil spell.

*** This story has much Irish history in it and some of the legends. Once again the author uses an old diary to tell some of the story. The Druid Stone is definitely a book for older teens as there are scenes in this story that would be inappropriate for younger children. This is a spooky story that should keep the reader interested until that last page is turned. I did have a problem with it as it justifies keeping secrets from parents. ***

Wow, this man is Awesome, This Book is a wellspring of information! There are wisdoms in this Book that will give the reader a complete overview of the ways of the Bard Ovate, and Druid....Wonderful Rituals tooo..

Lady Morgeuse

Shallcrass (also known as Greywolf) is joint chief of the British Druid Order, and his introduction to Druidry is a very good one, that doesn't just rehash what's been said in a dozen other books.

Unlike many other books on Druidry, Shallcrass' includes information about the shamanic aspects of Druid practice. He talks about a particularly striking incident that happened to him while he was spontaneously performing a rain dance. He also includes some nice rituals that can be done easily and allow for a gentle introduction to druidic ritual.

Overall, a very good introduction that I would recommend highly to anyone new to Druidry, as well as to long-time Druids. Read also Emma Restall Orr's "Druidry", and Philip Carr-Gomm's "Elements of the Druid Tradition" as introductions.

I have mixed feelings about this work because of its strange combination. While I feel it to be a fairly good background on some of the basics, with sound folklore and scholarly background, my problems with this book stem from the fact that all of the ritual practices follow the four element ritual spread common to Wicca, when there is next to no evidence to support that this is what the druids actually did. Thankfully, the author does not imply that these practices are authentic, and even informs the reader that he will be borrowing from several sources. Still, many readers who cannot make the same connection on their own are going to believe that this is true and authentic practice of the Celtic Druids. A more scholarly work, such as "The Druids" by Peter Berresford Ellis, would shed some light on what is known about the Druids, and what is simply inferred.

This is a good reference book for checking on what Egyptologists have decided on as "real" history.

This is a great book! Though it doesn't cover everything, what one book could contain that?, it gives enough information and is told in such a way that any layman could enjoy and understand. If you have a history buff in your family, this is definitly something to look into.

It's a terrific overview of many, many different cultures and religious systems. Note that I said overview--no one book can go in-depth in each and every culture's myths and traditions. There is still quite a lot of information here and gorgeous photos, too. It weighs about half a ton and is definitely worth lugging around.

This book provides a superb introduction to the Celtic Christian vision. I particularly enjoy the trinitarian aspects of Celtic prayer. The vision and picture presented in the book reveals a Chritian faith that does not divide the sacred from the secular or the mind and the body and soul. But rather, it presents a picture of faith affecting every area of life.

Delightful book, will be looking for more by this authour

This book is a good overview of information on the Celtic thoughts related to monks, pilgrims, creation, sin, the meaning behind the Celtic crosses, and the Celtic belief that the spiritual and the natural world are not separate.

Two things that I learned from this book: There are plants that the Celtic Christians avoided because of their roles in persecuting Christ. For example:The aspen tree. They would hurl stones and dirt at it when they passed because they were reminded that this was the type of tree Christ died on. No one used the wood from this tree for farm implements or fishing boats. The other interesting part was the explanation of the illustrations on the high Celtic crosses. The crucified Christ is depicted wearing a long robe, showing at once the suffering of the dying Christ and the victory of the risen one. This "shows the Celtic ability to hold two things in tension: death and life brought together."

Facinating stuff. Wish the book had been longer and more in depth.

It is a breath of fresh air to read a book written by someone with an obvious knowledge of and respect for the Faeries, as opposed to the common view in most books today. Mynne shows the connection between faerie and UFO sightings, describes the Faerie universe and four great seers, then devotes the rest of the book to amazing guided meditations and the complete Ballad and Romance of Thomas the Rhymer. A must-have for those who feel a connection with the Fae.

This book is great. I couldn't put it down until I had read it from cover to cover!This is good if you want to read from a SINCERE author on the Fae. It is evident from his writings that Hugh has a deep admiration & respect for the Fae. I am happy to say that I can recommend this book. I am very pleased! I can see why it was bought up so quickly. I hope it goes to reprint soon. I wanted to buy a copy for some friends. Thank you Hugh, for a fascinating book.

This is a grand little book, not that indepth but what it does offer is wonderful and enlightening. The colour pictures of A.E's Faerie's are priceless. Worth getting the book alone. Also the sections on women and men who had a huge influence on the Faery Faith are very insightful.

If you're looking for something very indepth and profound, this wouldn't be the work, but it's a delightful book to add to your faerie collection!

11 JUNE 2008
I JUST RECV'D THIS BOOK. IT SHOULD HAVE A GREAT BIG WARNING ACROSS THE FRONT OF IT; "NO EATING OR DRINKING WHILE READING THIS" !!!! THOUGHT I WAS GONNA DIE LAUGHING!!! IF YOU ARE A FAN OF OLD DIRT TRACK RACING & OR THE EARLY DAYS OF NASCAR, YOU'LL LUV IT !!! IF YOU'RE NOT A FAN, AFTER YOU READ THIS, YOU WILL BE!!!,,,, OR YOU'RE JUST PLAIN NUMB !!! BUDDY IS A HOOT !!!

If you do not laugh out loud when you read this book, check your pulse! This book is extremely funny and would only be better if there was an audio recording of Buddy telling the stories himself! Actually, that is an idea that some company really should explore. I received an extra copy of this book and gave it to a new to NASCAR fan. She loved it! She said it is best not be drinking or eating while reading it though, you may suffer from choking spells or spewing liquids!

I agree with the other reviewer about how thought provoking the chapters on the loss of drivers would have effected the sport. As someone who remembers the time they were here and the time after they left us, I feel the emptiness they left behind.

For someone wanting to laugh, read this book! For someone who wants to spend an afternoon reading about some history of NASCAR, this book can easily whet your whistle!

Buddy Baker's "Flat Out and Half Turned Over: Tales from Pit Road" is a chronological rememberance of a time when NASCAR moved from a regional non-sponsored organization to the time when the corporate interests of NASCAR started to take over. Baker, son of the famed Buck Baker, tells stories of when drivers were human enough to play practical jokes on each other, have knock-down, drag-out fights if they had an altercation on the track, and then get drunk together that night when all was forgotten. In today's big-money sanitized stock car racing world, this activity seems like ancient history, if it is recalled at all.

As a driver and a TV commentator, most of these stories have been told and retold before, although they are still interesting. Two of the less-mentioned chapters of Baker's stories are 1) why he had to retire (serious medical injuries, which were a testament to his build and strength), and 2) how significantly the NASCAR landscape would look if three drivers (Davey Allison, Alan Kulwicki and Tim Richmond) had lived. This is a point that I had considered in my own thinking as a race fan; life's coming and going is what it is and we don't have a say in that, but these three bright stars in NASCAR would have made the sport look much different over the past 15 years if they had the opportunity to compete.

Buddy Baker's book, to his critics, is not "War And Peace" or Shakespere, but it never claimed to be. It is simply an interesting book about simpler times; stories about how men raced hard for a living so they could support their families and how Buddy Baker made his way in this world. It's good to have recorded and read a book like this, before NASCAR and its drivers become too close to the America that the corporate world loves and individuality disappears.

I have visited Glendalough several times and it is one of my favorite places in Ireland. This beautifully written book brought this sacred site to life in an even deeper way and I cannot wait to go back, only this time it will have to be at least for a weekend retreat.

To get the true feeling of a place, I think you have to know the background and what to look for. Visiting Glendalough in Ireland, you'll instantly see that the area is gorgeous, but knowing the rich history of the place and what to look for will enhance the meaning. This book will take you through the monastic city of Glendalough step by step, and explain the rich history of the place.

I have been to Glendalough twice, spending a week there each time, with many hours in the company of the authors of this book. Michael Rodgers and Marcus Losack know and love the area of Glendalough. They are deeply grounded in the spiritual heritage of Celtic Christianity and, in addition, honor the deeper and wider aspects of spirituality that are present in this ancient site. In an era when Glendalough is in danger of becoming just another spot on the tourist trail, Michael and Marcus' book helps you to go deeper into ancient traditions, whether your pilgrimage is in person or in your heart.

Michelle Skye has done it again with Goddess Afoot. Goddess Alive and the follow-up are both excellent books for learning about Celtic and Norse Goddesses and taking them into your life. The chapters have myth, history, craft, spells, path-working and guided meditations as well as a full ritual. Would recommend them to anyone wanting to welcome the Goddess into their hearts.

I guess I shouldn't buy used books, because I got a copy of this off Half-com that was supposedly in Very Good condition and they sent me a promo book, without illustrations! I mean, that was half the reason I wanted this book, because I am not familiar with these goddesses and would like to study their pictures to make me more acquainted with them!

Disappointment aside, I like this book. I like the fact she uses goddesses I haven't normally encountered via Welsh myth and some I know a little bit from Norse Mythology. I had a problem with her a/b/c approach to magic, which I guess she got from Silver Ravenwolf, which states how you react to a problem, like if you hear people shouting, do you: Get your bat and run to the door to help, call 911 or do nothing. Well, if you live the city, like I do, people yell out all sorts of crazy things and have the time, even if they are yelling "help", sometimes they are kidding. If I ran out with a bat to defend someone every time I heard people yelling, I would upset a lot of people, become a laughing stock and maybe get myself stabbed. To me, this a/b/c system isn't the best way to tell you what kinds of magick you should do, like if you run outside with a bat at the basic sense of danger, why does that make you able to do all magick, while if you call 911, that makes you only able to do this or that magically? Just because I'm not an idiot walking about with a stick doesn't mean I am a bad witch, it means I am a cautious one and not enough pagans are taught caution. I feel new readers to the craft might get the wrong idea here. Maybe this part could be explained better in the next edition.

But other than that, the book is nice, great illustrations, though in my promo copy there are only two, I really would like to see the rest. The meditations look like they would be good for the beginner or advanced pagan and her writing style is practical, she explains the theory of magic well, even high vs. low, etc. I like the goddesses she has selected and the activities are nice.

I gave this 4 stars because of the a/b/c thing, not because of getting a promo copy. I look forward to trying to buy another copy of this so I can get the full effect, so if you want to buy an used copy, write the seller first and make sure you get a non-promo copy. Practice caution!

I love this book! It's a wonderful blend of information and ways of connecting with the Goddesses of the Norse and Celtic pantheons. Skye has a great writing style...knowledgeable, sassy and light.

Love the parts about the Welsh Goddesses!

Bendithion Afallon Michelle!

Welsh can be a difficult language to learn. This has CDs that help a lot! I would recommend taking them along on a long road trip.

Cymraeg, the language of the Welsh people, is an ancient language which usually takes a lot of effort to learn. This book tries to simplify that task. It also makes it fun to learn Welsh. This is an excellent book for Welsh beginners, experts and what the Welsh call "il - dysgwyr"- literally "econd learners."Buy the cassette version from Amazon and hear Welsh as it is spoken!

I chose this particular item to learn Welsh simply because I have used the 'Hugo'-brand of linguistic aids before, and they almost always present a foreign language in very easy lessons while combining both vocabulary and grammar in the way it should be done: by building on previous lessons and gradually expanding your knowledge. In addition to these features of 'Hugo', this product also does what most language products do not do, and that is to provide phonetic transcription. In other words, it tells you, the learner, how to pronounce a Welsh word using English syllables, so it is as easy as when you learned English many years ago. I gave this product only four stars, however, because while I know that phonetics are never exact in translation, the examples in this product were not the best. However, they are the ONLY ones on the marketplace, so....enjoy this item. It is the easiest method to learn modern Welsh.