Rating: 
Summary: Flawed Research, but Interesting
Review: A very enjoyable and readable book on modern, Celt-inspired shamanism. It's not, however, a reliable guide to Pagan Celtic beliefs. The research quality is extremely erratic. Much of it is okay/good, though Cowan has a tendency to re-write the myths and present his re-workings as original texts. However parts of the book are abysmal. The chapter on the "shamanic" aspects of witchcraft, for instance, is completely inaccurate, showing a near total ignorance of historical witchcraft. So if you're looking for history, look elsewhere. However if you want a "Celtic" brand of Neo-Paganism, this is a very beautiful, evocative vision.
Rating:
Summary: Flawed Research, but Interesting
Review: A very enjoyable and readable book on modern, Celt-inspired shamanism. It's not, however, a reliable guide to Pagan Celtic beliefs. The research quality is extremely erratic. Much of it is okay/good, though Cowan has a tendency to re-write the myths and present his re-workings as original texts. However parts of the book are abysmal. The chapter on the "shamanic" aspects of witchcraft, for instance, is completely inaccurate, showing a near total ignorance of historical witchcraft. So if you're looking for history, look elsewhere. However if you want a "Celtic" brand of Neo-Paganism, this is a very beautiful, evocative vision.
Rating: 
Summary: Wonderful intro to Celtic mysticism
Review: I first became interested in shamanism after reading books by core-shamanic practioners Michael Harner and Sandra Ingerman. While these books described a way of relating to and healing with the natural world that I have always longed for, my heart yearned for a practice more connected with my long-forgotten European ancestry. Soon I found this book, which addresses the issues of recovering native European Celtic traditions. I agree that it's a wonderful introduction to Celtic mysticism and spirituality. Cowan covers a wide variety of topics to "pull" from and trigger remembrance. Regarding the witchcraft issue, black and white magic has been a part of every native tradition since the beginning of time. Certainly the inappropriate use of magic figures prominently in our collective soul wounds, and needs to be considered.
Rating:
Summary: fire without control
Review: I had been hunting for examples of conections between Shiva and other styles of worship of paradox this book simply apeared and was of emense use in defining the paradox of being a religious leader. It also increased my understanding of how I fit into my own religious background.
Rating: 
Summary: I NEVER expected to rip one of Tom Cowan's books.
Review: I have read several books authored by Mr. Cowan, and have been co-authored by Mr. Cowan.I read "Shamanism: As A Spiritual Practice For Daily Life" and loved it. I read Mr. Cowan's "Pocket Guide to Shamanism", and "Power Of the Witch' that he co-authored with Laurie Cabot, and liked them. This book I neither love nor like. This book is only full of Celtic legends with no exercises to practise. If you are a practicing Shaman, and of Celtic descent; these legends may assist you in getting acquainted with your ancestral spirits. If you are a beginner; allow this book to sit on the shelf, and look elsewhere. I have several listmania lists that may help you get started; or E-Mail me. I encourage questions and comments via E-Mail; Two Bears. Wah doh Ogedoda (We give thanks Great Spirit)
Rating:
Summary: Nothing New
Review: If you're a fan of things shamanistic you will no doubt find this book of some use, although there are no specific rituals included. Personally, I am not a follower of the shaman's path, but even setting aside my personal preferences I don't feel that I found anything in this book that I hadn't read somewhere else before. If you've read extensively on Celtic spirituality I imagine you'll feel the same way too.
Rating:
Summary: After 10 years, still the BEST Intro to the Celtic animism
Review: It has been nearly ten years now since Fire in the Head: Shamanism and the Celtic Spirit was released. Ten years. That is a very long time for readers to encounter a number of other books on Celtic traditions, shamanism, and Celtic spirituality in general. However, if we track back to 1993 when this book was first released we will quickly see that at that time there really had not been any sort of exhaustive study of the shamanic archetype within the Celtic traditions--which Fire in the Head: Shamanism and the Celtic Spirit clearly is. Others who have reviewed this book and offered a less than gleaming assessment of the book are undoubtedly people who are seeking either more of a hands-on, experiential, or practical book on shamanic techniques (see Cowan's Shamanism As A Spiritual Practice for Daily Life), or something with a more classical scholarly 'feel' to it (see F. Marian McNeill's, The Silver Bough, W.Y.Evans-Wentz' The Fairy Faith in Celtic Countries, or Celtic Heritage by the Rees'). However, for an overall introduction to the numinous power and energy of the shamanic archetype within the primal Celtic traditions Fire in the Head, even after ten years, is still the best introduction. It is a wide-sweeping flight into the themes and topics, devoid of the particularities of personal cosmology one sees in so many other Celtic books. Cowan gets out of the way so that readers can have their own experience and make their own assumptions. Certainly, once a person has read this it is time to read such works as Jean Markele's The Druids, Caitlin and John Matthews' The Encyclopaedia of Celtic Wisdom, etc., but, again, for an introduction to the core elements of primal Irish, Welsh, and Scottish animisitic spirituality this is still the best. Regarding the exploration of witchcraft within Fire in the Head: All too often people assume that witchcraft and Wicca are synonymous. They are not. Wicca, largely, was invented in the 1950's. However, witchcraft (both black and white)is well documented as having been practiced in different parts of the Celtic world, as well as the Anglo-Saxon world. I think Tom's exploration of witchcraft is in keeping with the premise of the book--to peel back the layers of European animism in general and see where the shamanic energies may exist.
Rating: 
Summary: Packed!
Review: Lots of good solid information here. I must admit I like his writing style as well. Excellent material, well presented!
Rating:
Summary: Solid work with a strong flaw.
Review: This book goes a long way to bridging the gap between modern shamanism and the pre-Christian Celts. The ONLY thing about this book that disappointed me was that there were no techniques given on the practice of Celtic shamansim. I do realize, however, that there really is no surviving material that outlines how it was practiced long ago, except the modern techniques of Wicca, which has been influenced a bit by other forms of occultism over the centuries. Anyone who believes that the religious beliefs of the Celts were not shamanistic in origin simply have not studied either Wicca, the Celts, and/or shamanism enough to know. Tom Cowan HAS captured the Celtic spirit and the shamanistic threads that run through the Irish legends. He presents each aspect that he covers very clearly and concisely. Although not a book for beginners, this is an excellent resource for anyone interested in Celtic Shamanism and the spirit, feelings and attitudes contained therein.
Rating:
Summary: Inspiring and Informative
Review: This book goes a long way to bridging the gap between modern shamanism and the pre-Christian Celts. The ONLY thing about this book that disappointed me was that there were no techniques given on the practice of Celtic shamansim. I do realize, however, that there really is no surviving material that outlines how it was practiced long ago, except the modern techniques of Wicca, which has been influenced a bit by other forms of occultism over the centuries. Anyone who believes that the religious beliefs of the Celts were not shamanistic in origin simply have not studied either Wicca, the Celts, and/or shamanism enough to know. Tom Cowan HAS captured the Celtic spirit and the shamanistic threads that run through the Irish legends. He presents each aspect that he covers very clearly and concisely. Although not a book for beginners, this is an excellent resource for anyone interested in Celtic Shamanism and the spirit, feelings and attitudes contained therein.
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