Rating: 
Summary: Enjoyable, but I'm not an expert
Review: I enjoyed this book as light reading. I am not an expert on druidism, so I can not comment on the accuracy of the material.
Rating: 
Summary: "But there's gotta be a pony in there somewhere..."
Review: If you know the joke which ends in the above punchline, then you know what I think of this book.Enough said...
Rating: 
Summary: Splendid Indeed
Review: Now I have heard of so much contoversy on this book, it's inacurate, it's sexist, which left me in a bind as to buying this book. It was recommended to buy/not to buy. I was given advice that the only way to tell is to read it yourself. I did so. I have to tell you, a historian I am not, and some others may be, but this book will give you the motivation you need to begin your journey of the unknown. It is great for EVERYONE. Now as for those who say it's inacurate I have one thing to say; [I once was told a story of a beginning aprentice and his master. The aprentice comes to the master and they sit for tea. Now the aprentice (excited to tell the master all of his vast knowledge) speaks to the master of his beliefs and journeys, and the master is still pouring tea in an already filled cup. The aprentice stops and asks why he stilll continues to pour into the glass, even though it's full. The master says, you are as the cup full of your own ideas and opinions, in order for me to teach you, you must first empty your cup.] I think all those willing to learn must go on a journey to do so.Hope I could could be of assistance.
May you all find your way. :)
Rating: 
Summary: A greatly Misunderstood book
Review: There is alot of controversy on whether or not the information in this book is truth or fiction. I myself find it to be a wonderful book full of plenty of information that could help anyone into any form of occultism. Sure some or possibly alot of the information could be traced to be in other religions but one should also realize that such closely related religions would sure touch base if not in a few ways then many ways. If anything in todays world I see paganism as more the religion then anything else, for if you have experience in at least one form then chances are getting into another form is just as easy cause the concepts are probably closely related.
I am a practicing Druid/Shaman/Witch I touch base in many areas cause these sort of things interest me greatly since my original religion seemed so unlikly to me. I read many books on these subjects and I find Douglas Monroe's books a wonderful inspiration.
So I say if you have any interest in these matters and have an open mind and are not an over egoed critic to go ahead and buy the book cause I am sure you will at least appreciate the stories.
Rating:
Summary: Utter Fiction
Review: Monroe writes a good story, but there isn't much fact behind it.
Rating:
Summary: The Point of the Book
Review: The book, whether true to fact or fictional, is not the point. The point is the lessons themselves. If you read the book and were only concerned with whether Monroe was "historically correct", you missed the REAL purpose of the book - THE LESSONS THEMSELVES, which were intended to inspire, enlighten and awaken the spirit within us. To that effect, Monroe succeeds, and hence I rate the book a 4-star. The lessons within the book are priceless; the point is not where Druidism originated, not even whether Merlyn himself existed. Try reading this book again, only this time with an open mind and as a "student of spiritual enlightenment" and not a historian - I promise you're likely to find yourself more inspired than dissapointed.
Rating:
Summary: great fiction
Review: I suppose this book could be rated high or low depending on what angle you're coming from. As I'm not a Pagan/Druid or even spiritual, I read this book several years ago for its value as fiction alone, and was not disappointed. Monrose is a talented writer and no one I think would argue that this is not a wonderful story. As for the historical or spiritual value of the book, I cannot comment, but for those of us who enjoy fantasy or fiction with a Celtic theme I certainly recommend it.
Rating:
Summary: Constructive Imbalance
Review: The Twenty-One Lessons of Merlyn is an unusual text that tends to inspire either love or hate in its readers. It was my first excursion into the Druidic religion, and I can remember how my life came to light with each turning of the page. The story was captivating. The rituals were invigorating. The words were electrifying. I was amazed, wrapped in the mystery of my newfound religion. I spent entire weeks desiging my pelen tan. I searched endlessly for the Four Symbols of Mastery. I felt as if I sipped from enchanted waters of wisdom. And then the critics came. I came online one day to reference a term I had found in the book. My search on Webferret did not find what I was seeking, but I did uncover several reviews upon the book. I read one of them, and it shattered my world. Written by a "true" druid, the article denounced the Twenty-One Lessons as the worst thing to have ever entered modern Druidism. I was shocked. They called it anti-feminist. They called it untrue. They called it hogwash. I believed them for a very long time. It caused me to step away from the religion. I nearly fell back into the darkness of atheism from whence I had emerged. I finally managed to read various books on Wicca. I gained more knowledge of the occult and began to practice Witchcraft. The Twenty-One Lessons of Merlyn lay forgotten on my nightstand. I eventually came up with the notion of using one of the rituals I had discovered in Lessons to see if it would work. It was meant to summon the shade of Merlyn. I found the experience enlightening. I picked up the book again and read through it. I recognized many underlying themes I had not seen before. "The Truth Against the World" struck my eye vividly. It was then that I came to a realization. The Twenty-One Lessons of Merlyn were not "hogwash". They were simply another way of doing things. The old magic I had felt upon first reading the book was gone, cast to the four winds by a dour critic. However, the lessons were still there. And I realized that no one system could hold the entire truth. Some hold more than others. Some hold very little. And some bid you to seek out the truth in whatever guise it might reside. The Twenty-One Lessons is one such book. There is a portion of the truth to be found in the fictional writings of Monroe. There is a portion of truth to be found in the druidry practiced by "Daven", the man who wrote the review I read initially. There was a portion of the truth in the Book of the Pheryltt.There was a portion of the truth to be found in the Witchcraft I studied. There was a portion of the truth inside myself. Despite the accusations made by some that this book is not historically accurate, this book is not worthless. The underlying theme, the magick, the lessons...they hold a significant part of the truth. I have been told that the "Charm of Making" is not true Gaelic (I believe). Luckily, I don't use the Charm of Making to help me learn the language. I use the mystic inflections and intonations to change my state of mind. I do not look to this book as the sole dictator of my spiritual life. I take the truth I have found in its pages and blend it with Wicca and other occult systems until I have something that allows me to get as close as I can to my deities. The only reason this book does not win five stars from me is do to the criticism surrounding it. If you are a practicing druid, I suggest you purchase this book at least for the sake of completeness. Whether you agree or disagree with the works of Monroe, I still recommend that you read this. You might just learn something. And even if the book is radically different from your current religious beliefs, you shouldn't have anything to worry about if you are strong enough in your faith. E Gwyr Erbyn Byd.
Rating:
Summary: This book is junk
Review: Influential junk, profitable junk, but junk. Its claims have no basis in history, archaeology, or any other reputable discipline. Some of its claims, such as the idea that the druids were vegetarians, can be disproven with about an hour's easy work. Monroe clearly didn't do any work other than reading novels and contemplating his wallet. Don't waste your money on this.
Rating: 
Summary: Fluff and good story telling
Review: The authors view of women is also very disturbing. Yes, women were druids AND female druids could achieve just as much as male druids. The author puts female Celts in a negative view.
I neglected to give this book 1 star because the author tells a very creative fictional story of Merlyn . Monroe managed to keep this book interesting throughout. He just needs to find more reliable resources. I hear his second book "The Lost Books of Merlyn" makes up for this one by being more historically accurate, and the biased which turned me off and there are better books on Druidism. I will not recommend this book because it is sexist content and inaccurate views of druidism and how it degrades women in celtic paganism. nice story but not worth time buying it.
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