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Rating: 
Summary: Every thing I ever wanted to know - and more !
Review: It is amazing to have all these topics covered in this 2 book set. I found I was stopping to read it just for lessons in Irish history. Every 4 or 5 pages was another topic I had to find out about. Glad that this one has been published again. Three cheers for the publisher !
Rating: 
Summary: A Golden Oldie
Review: Much of the book is out of date. The social hierarchy detailed in Crith Gablach is not as Joyce describes it, cliency didn't work as he says it did, the law and religious systems are much different from his descriptions. But, in a book this absolutely comprehensive, these are comparitively small complaints. This is the best source around for the many obscure matters that make up the substance of daily life - forms of address, table manners, feasting, weights and measures, schools and the degrees they offered, and so on. If you wanted to know if the ancient Irish used table cloths, this book will tell you. If you want to know _exactly_ what it took to become a fili, or how bardic schools were run, this book will tell you. It's a mass of a thousand details, by which a culture and time can come to life.
Rating:
Summary: A Golden Oldie
Review: Much of the book is out of date. The social hierarchy detailed in Crith Gablach is not as Joyce describes it, cliency didn't work as he says it did, the law and religious systems are much different from his descriptions. But, in a book this absolutely comprehensive, these are comparitively small complaints. This is the best source around for the many obscure matters that make up the substance of daily life - forms of address, table manners, feasting, weights and measures, schools and the degrees they offered, and so on. If you wanted to know if the ancient Irish used table cloths, this book will tell you. If you want to know _exactly_ what it took to become a fili, or how bardic schools were run, this book will tell you. It's a mass of a thousand details, by which a culture and time can come to life.
Rating:
Summary: Great
Review: One of the best history sources for all aspects of Ireland. Many 'tidbits' I have not seen before. A great job by Joyce!
Rating:
Summary: Great
Review: One of the best history sources for all aspects of Ireland. Many 'tidbits' I have not seen before. A great job by Joyce!
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