Celtic Books

I am really enjoying this book. The arrangements are great for mandolin and Irish bouzouki. The CD that is supplied with it makes the whold thing complete. The only 'slight' problem that I have with it is that some of the arrangements may be a bit too 'classical' for the strong traditionalist.

This is a very nice book and CD. It is not session music per se, and might not be welcomed at sessions. The CD is interesting, and you can tell the artist's Russian heritage from the playing. I found myself listening to the CD for pleasure, along with my family.

The tunes are lovely, well-arranged and make for great playing. It is a beautiful book CD combo, and highly recommended for the player of slow airs in the Celtic and early music.

I normally play a guitar for personal enjoyment (that means I am the only one who will listen to me play). I bought a mandolin in September and I wanted something other than Blue Grass so my wife bought me this book for Christmas.
You have to have some idea on how to play mandolin before jumping into this book. Fortunately I already had a beginners book that taught about what pick to use, how to hold the instrument and pick, etc. This book is strictly music and tab. It is flat-pickin all the way.
None of the songs were familiar, I had not heard any of them before. But the book comes with a CD so you can hear them all played. The songs cover a range of moods and tempos. The level of difficulty varies also. The final challenge is conveying emotion through the music.
None of these songs are going to make the pop charts, but they are fun to play and I find myself humming them during the day.

This is the most thoughtfully laid out book of needlework I have ever seen--a friend and I wrestled for the only copy at a bookshop when it was between printings! Both the photos of Ireland and of the needlework "at home" are glorious. I've done a few of the designs and they've turned out wonderfully--my only caveat is that the graph colors can be difficult to distinguish, as is often the case with needlepoint charts, particularly British ones. Also, Appleton yarns can be hard to find in the U.S., but in these days of the internet, who cares? I'm confused by the other reviews as this is most definitely not a knitting book.

Alice Starmore has written an excellent book on Celtic Needlework, that includes Key & Spiral Patterns, Knotwork, Bird & Tree and Animal Patterns. Each project is wonderfully illustrated with large colour charts and detailed technical advice. I enjoyed changing the colours and inventing my own special touch

These are just some of the words that will come to mind when you see the patterns in this book. Alice Starmore is a genius at bringing simple patterns to life with vivid colorways. Many of the patterns can be used for other projects or crafts, for example, using variagated yarns and converting a cushion to a sweater. There are patterns for all skill levels, from a bookmark to a rug. The photography is wonderful as well, and all of the items are placed in beautiful still-lifes. Alice Staremore's Celtic Needlepoint makes as nice a coffee-table book as pattern book. Highly recommended for lovers of fiber arts as well as Celtic arts.

K.C. West and Victoria Welsh have another hit on their hands with their second novel, Celtic Shadows, the sequel to their captivating debut novel, Superstition Shadows. Celtic Shadows takes heroines Kim Blair and PJ Curtis to Wales to do research on an ancient Celtic artifact for a friend of PJ's wealthy father. The two archeologists figure a bit of research plus some vacation time in a new country should be the perfect combination.

After a few day trips exploring the enchanting Welsh countryside, Kim and PJ return to The Royal Lion Inn in Dolgellau to discover their working vacation is about to become anything but relaxing. Instead of idyllic travels about the Welsh countryside, they find themselves in a quagmire of murder, danger, deception, and intrigue.

Rather than savoring tasty treats served up by Arwel at the inn, one of the archaeologists spends her time with despicable characters she dubs Woodsy, Garlic Breath, and Designer Suit. Kim's ex-lover, Terry Simms, resurfaces to stir old memories and raise new doubts, and some Amazons from Kim's past show up, too, at the most fortuitous moments to offer guidance.

The authors superbly incorporate the culture, geography, and history of Wales into the Celtic Shadows story. I could almost taste and smell the hearty foods, feel the boggy soil under my feet, and smell the grasses and flowers in the meadows. West and Welsh have created strong, believable, sensitive, and likeable protagonists and have given them life in a story readers won't soon forget. The book is a treat for the senses as well as for the mind. For a wonderful vicarious romp in Wales, pick up a copy of Celtic Shadows. You'll be glad you made the trip.

Shadows concealing lovers; shadows cloaking evil; shadows of a past to be explored; shadows of the past reaching the present with new clarity: Celtic Shadows continues the story of archaeologists Dr. Kimberly Blair and Dr. Priscilla Curtis. No longer in the shadows of the Superstition Mountains of Arizona, but in the land of often cloudy rainy Wales where, therefore, the shadows may be often man or woman made.

An apparent archaelogical mystery gets Dr. Blair and Dr. Curtis to Wales, but they end up exploring and discovering even more about themselves and their growing relationship with each other as they uncover threads of the original puzzle. Intelligent sensitive people they each have their own darker areas where light can be painful when it first shines.

The supporting characters are very strong in their own right. and one hopes Kim and PJ might return to Wales and followup with Arwel, Blodwyn, and even DCI Edwards.

Wonderful description of the scenery, ambience, and the food brings the reader into the story. Especially when the characters were eating well, it seemed only polite to join them as best I could.

This book stands on its own, but the "origins" of Kim and PJ's relationship as described in "Superstition Shadows" is highly recommended.

Kim and PJ are back on the trail of an ancient mystery, but this time real life criminals are involved. PJ's father receives a request from an old friend for PJ's help in finding the stolen remains of a Celtic chieftain so the two archeologists go to Wales for a working vacation. They are still in honeymoon mode after all, and their next project won't start for a while. But nothing feels right about this job. Why did Lord Morrison have these remains in his manor home in Wales in the first place? Why doesn't he want to go to the police, or indeed why does he want an archeologist for what looks like more of a detective job? These are some of the questions that Kim and PJ ponder as they consider what to do. A little investigation brings them to a murder scene. Then suddenly, violently they are torn apart.

The stormy, rainy Welsh landscape provides the background for wrenching emotions and danger. As the story unfolds both PJ and Kim undergo trials that test their courage and resourcefulness and ultimately their trust in each other.

Despite some tense confusion, it was overall very well written. I simply LOVED the illustrations...ah, glowing illustrations!

This story of fairy tales from the celts is very good. It has wonderful illistrtions and owinspiring storys. Anyone who is interastined in fairy tales and the celts is going to love this story. Please read this you will love it!

This collection of "fairy tales" is unlike any of the softened stories Disney is so fond of, like "Sleeping Beauty" and "Beauty and the Beast." This is, of course, not to say that our popular fairy tales are not lots of fun, but within THIS collection, you will find not only love, magic, and heroic quests, but also the unexpected, the bizarre, the grotesque, and -- in truly Celtic fashion -- an undercurrent of sorrow in many tales. Collected from old journals and books of folklore for the most part long out of print, each story is told in "original" wording whenever that is possible, with only the most necessary revisions, and in this John Matthews has done an excellent job keeping the Celtic Otherworld authentic while making it accessible to a modern -- and largely urban -- consciousness.

This book is listed in the children's section (and indeed it would make good reading with your child), but I have read each tale many times by myself and love them all (though I love especially the one about the old eagle, and the one about the fisherman who hunts seals until the seals take him down to their watery home to show him the pain he has wrought, and then teach him how to fix it.) Many of the stories ramble -- in what, from this and other readings, I have come to think of as a peculiarly Celtic way -- and they deal with death and loss, marriage and family, strange vows and impossible quests in sometimes confusing and unexpected ways, but this is no barrier to enjoyment, and indeed provides plenty of food for thought when you put the book down. "Morals" are not so clear cut as in our popular tales, and sometimes they are deeply buried or completely foreign to us. In this, they serve to teach us much about Celtic cultures and consciousness -- a valuable lesson for those with Celtic ancestry, an interest in Celtic scholarship, or belief systems based upon an old Celtic model.

All of this alone would make a wonderful book, but there is even more. On top of the complex beauty of the tales, the book includes strange but lovely paintings by Ian Daniels (one or two to a story - the one on the cover is my favorite) that add to the mood as you read. Indeed, a cold night, a crackling fire, and an ancient tale from this book are all that is needed to conjure a shadow of the Otherworld right into your living room.

A large collection of Celtic music for the banjo, well documented, giving good explanations. The including CD contains the music to listening along. You don't need to have powerfull skills to play the music; Good for beginners, but also interesting for advanced players.

Do you want the quick version of this review? If you want to expand your banjo technique and repertoire into the pan-Celtic realm, BUY THIS BOOK.

Fin.

Alright, a slightly longer review... Tom Hanway has put together a fantastic "middle point" to learning how to integrate your 5-string banjo playing into that large, mashed realm of "celtic" music. You get tunes of Irish, Scottish, British, Canadian, and American origin all played with an ear towards the Celtic tradition.

It's a "middle point" because the book is NOT for beginners. The book assumes that you have facility with playing melodic (and some single string) style on the 5-string, and it takes you from there. You learn techniques that many Scruggs style players will consider advanced. Lots of inside rolls - often on the same string or combining two strings for a run of several notes and multiple hammer-ons and pull-offs are used.

There is light at the end of the tunnel, though. These techniques will make you a better banjo player. There are a _ton_ of tunes in this book so you can get a flavor of the various sub-styles to determine where your interests lie. It also comes with a CD where the author plays through about two thirds of the tunes in the book as well as playing through the exercises to learn the techniques. The banjo in these recordings is VERY prominent with just a hint of guitar and bodhran percussion in the back.

Finally, the book is packed with the history of the music as well as tips on jamming, playing etiquette, and how to approach playing backup (probably the most important thing in a jam).

Oh, and the author is a great guy who will answer your e-mail with any questions that you might have.

Given the general dearth of material in this area and the fact that this is a fantastic resource for playing the 5-string in this style, making the decision to buy shouldn't be too difficult.

Good introduction to Irish banjo tab and music. Recommended.

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.

Lives are ruled by prophecy and legend in Gibson's continuation of the Ancient Mirrors series. Men whose minds have been corrupted seek to destroy all the enchanted folk, especially the Damselflies, because of their fear of a legend telling that men would be ruled by a Damselfly's halfling daughter. Only through the kindness of two hunters is Arcinaë able to survive, becoming the last Damselfly. She struggles to overcome her passive nature and become a warrior, in order to get revenge on the men who killed her Damselfly kin and to learn to lead Grimmoirë, as is her right. Damselflies tells the tale of Arcinaë's struggles as well as those of her halfling daughters.

Firstly, I commend Gibson for being able to weave a thrilling story that held my interest the entire way through. I really like the strong female characters presented throughout the Ancient Mirrors series, and Damselflies was no exception. These females are skilled warriors in battle and are also highly intelligent and usually stubborn, yet they are easy to like by the reader. I also like how there's always a bit of romance woven into the story, even in the midst of fighting. My only issue with this story was that in the second half, the plot seemed rushed and sometimes details were unclear, such as the location of one character and who spoke what line. However, Damselflies was a truly exciting read.

Out of the three first novels in the Ancient Mirrors series, Damselflies is by far my favorite. It isn't necessary to read the first two novels to understand Damselflies, but I recommend reading Dragon Queen and The Wreckening just because they are also great stories, although readers who are not very into fantasy may be intimidated by the length of Gibson's novels.

Ilerion is a hunter who is haunted by his inability to protect his loving wife, Cylacia. Now, he is faced with protecting another of her kind, a Damselfly. Ilerion and his men stumble upon a bloody scene of torture, mutilation, and death. Despite all odds, there is a sole survivor. Brutally raped, her wings cut off, and left for dead, the last Damselfly hangs onto life. Her only reason for living is revenge upon the men who have destroyed her people, an act completely alien to her peaceful people.

It seemed to me that Damselflies was actually two books in one. The first part of the story focused primarily on Ilerion and Archinae: their meeting, their journey, and their eventual romance. The second part of the story then continued after the death of Ilerion and Archinae. At this point, the focus of the story was their twin daughters and the continuation of the fulfilling of the prophecy. I personally would have like this book to end with the birth of the children and have the next book begin after this point.

Reviewed by Ian McCurley (age 13) for Reader Views Kids(10/07)

"Damselflies" begins when Ilerion and his servant, Nilus, are traveling through the country of Aelarggessae. They come upon the ruins of what was the last settlement of the Damselflies. The Damselflies were a winged pacifistic race of the enchanted. Finding only one alive, they take her to a healer. With both her wings and her pacifistic nature gone, the Damselfly wants revenge on those who brutalized and butchered her and murdered her people. Ilerion vows to help her. He discovers that Lord Lazaro, due to fear of a prophecy, has been ordering the murder of all enchanted races in Grimmoire. During their quest for revenge, Ilerion and Nilus train the Damselfly whose name is Arcinae to fight. After her training, Ilerion sends Arcinae to Revere in Aedracmorae. She travels there through the Ancient Mirrors to meet with the Dragon Queen, Yavie. The Dragon Queen uses her influence over the winged council to convince the Feie to rekindle the Light of Grimmoire. During her stay with the Dragon Queen, Qwen, the estranged daughter of Yavie's guardian Nall, helps Arcinae find the Sylph who give Arcinae her wings back in exchange for her immortality. For her help, Qwen asks Arcinae to help the wizard Lohgaen to recover his birthright, the House of Lochlaen. Meanwhile, Ilerion is gathering forces to defeat Lord Lazaro before he and his allies can take over Aelarggessae.

The book "Damselflies" hooks the reader from the start, and the story flows well. Jayel Gibson's writing style is, as always, unique. The characters are deep and dynamic with little unknown about them. The mood of the book changes throughout its entirety. The book is divided into two parts; I have only summarized the first. I will not hint at the plot of the second part because it would give too much away, though the book does span two generations.

This book is for ages 15 and up who enjoy reading fantastic tales of adventure. "Damselflies" is the third in the Ancient Mirrors series.



Reviewed by Paige Lovitt for Reader Views (10/07)

Set during a time of magic, "Damselflies" begins with the story of Arcinae and her mate Ilerion. Arcinae is the last of the Damselflies. Her race was destroyed by a warlord who feared them and their magic. Barely surviving herself, she is aided by others who want to save her magic. Ilerion rescues her and teaches her to defend herself. This totally goes against her nature, but she must be willing to be violent to survive. In time, they fall in love and have two daughters. The second part of the book tells the story of the two Halfling daughters.

J'yorie is the strong one. She is a warrior like her father. She has been born without wings and therefore is able to hide her Damselfly blood. Her sister A'Janae has the wings of a damselfly. She is the gentler of the two. When she is kidnapped, J'yorie goes in search of her. She goes with trusted friends, but along the way she encounters others that are willing to help. She has to decide whom to trust. Not everyone is what they appear to be.

Jayel Gibson has written an incredible, timeless fantasy novel. I had such a hard time putting this book down. I was disappointed when it ended and it is over four-hundred pages! Since the story is written in a different place, she supplies maps that help the reader understand the lay of the land. Ms. Gibson also includes an extensive glossary that makes it easier to understand some of the terms and the names of the people being discussed.

In spite of this being a fantasy tale, there are undercurrents of prejudice, suspicion, and distrust that we see among different cultures in our mundane world. As in the novel, what is not understood by one race tends to be feared and hated by another. The people in this novel, who were not prejudiced, greatly benefited from their relationships with those of the other races. Except for the trolls and a few other creatures, the supernatural races all seemed to be able to work together; they did not fear each others gifts such as man did.

I highly recommend "Damselfies" to people who enjoy fantasy fiction. This is a well-written, quality novel. I look forward to other books that will be a part of "The Ancient Mirrors Tale" series.

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 BOOK ABOUT THE HISTORY OF THE BOSTON CELTICS. IT IS NOT GREATLY DETAILED BUT IT IS A MUST READ FOR ALL CELTIC AND BASKETBALL FANS. IT COVERS A SEASON BY SEASON LOOK AT ALL THE CHAMPIONSHIP YEARS AND HOW THE TEAMS WERE OUT TOGETHER. THE AUTHOR GIVE US AN OVERALL VIEW OF HOW THE TEAM WAS FOUNDED AND ALOT OF INFO CONCERNING RED AUERBACH. ALSO SOME OF THE LEAN YEARS ARE COVERED ALONG WITH SOME STORIES TOLD BY EX-PLAYERS AND COACHES CONCERNING THE CELTIC DYNASTY. VERY RECOMENDED

This book can best be described as an extremely long Boston Globe article on the Celtics by Dan Shaughnessy. Shaughnessy covers many tidbits in the book. Many interesting things about the old Boston Garden, Red Auerbach, and the team. Overall, an excellent read for a new Celtics fan (old ones as well).

This book can best be described as an extremely long Boston Globe article on the Celtics by Dan Shaughnessy. Shaughnessy covers many tidbits in the book. Many interesting things about the old Boston Garden, Red Auerbach, and the team. Overall, an excellent read for a new Celtics fan (old ones as well).