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Rating: 
Summary: The Druids as described by Merlin...
Review: A profound and daring exploration of the nature of the druids and druidry based upon the evidence of archeology, literature and folklore, elucidated by one of the best minds of our time. While the explorations are at times spell-binding, Mr Markale does not suffer fools lightly and there are many evidences in his book of his sharp mind and tongue. Not for the faint of heart or those already wed to romantic notions of what the druids should have been. A work of the most astute scholarship, an inspiration to read.
Rating:
Summary: The ONLY book on Druidry out there worth the time.
Review: I know that there is a guy on this page who reviewed it saying the same thing. But it IS the truth. This man does his research, shows WHY historically and/or mythologically, he makes claims. He debunks a lot of the crapola out there available just by presenting the evidence.I started with his book on Halloween and moved on to this one. If you want to get a feel for what the Celtic ancestors believed and what they did and have it make sense (unlike direct translations of mythology and dry academic texts) both books a superb! I was on a search for this for 13 years, looking for the truth not what neo-pagans and Wiccans claimed to be truth. I did not like the cut and paste methods the former use to make something "Celtic: i.e. use Greek ritual structure and use Celtic gods. Talk about whacky. If you don't know what I mean by that, read his books and you WILL understand. This book is a little hard to get into at the beginning. i would recommend starting on a chapter that sounds interesting and reading the first few chapters later. Go for it!! Reconstructionist Celtic imbas.org
Rating: 
Summary: Interesting
Review: In some respects, Markale reveals much about the Druids. In other areas he seemed to quote more from others' views than his own.I found his opinion of New Age and Wiccan attempts to co-opt Druid traditions,enlightening.He clarifies the observances and sacred elements well. A good read.
Rating:
Summary: Not New Age Hippie Fluff
Review: Unlike a lot of New Age Fluff out there, Markale uses analytical thinking along with evidence etched in the stone of history and archeology to deduct for us what druidism must have once been like. He covers beliefs and philosophies, rites and responsibilities of the druids with great accuracy. The way the book is written though, does assume the reader has some basic knowledge about the celtic civilization that lived and thrived before the romans, with Julius Caesar at the head, conquered Gaul. And while the ancient Gauls left no written histories or books on philosophy, Markale is able to piece together bits and pieces of Roman and Greek writings about the druids to give us a hint at the scope of intelligence that dotted Gaul before the onslaught of Romanization and the later wave of Christian oppression. The only part of the book I did not like was the end where Markale seems like he's stretching to reach and accord between ancient druidism and the parallel path of Chrisitanity and his repeated tries to correlate druidism and the followers of christ as similar religions. All in all, though, this is a good book and a must read for anyone trulty interested in pre-fluff druidism.
Rating:
Summary: Not New Age Hippie Fluff
Review: Unlike a lot of New Age Fluff out there, Markale uses analytical thinking along with evidence etched in the stone of history and archeology to deduct for us what druidism must have once been like. He covers beliefs and philosophies, rites and responsibilities of the druids with great accuracy. The way the book is written though, does assume the reader has some basic knowledge about the celtic civilization that lived and thrived before the romans, with Julius Caesar at the head, conquered Gaul. And while the ancient Gauls left no written histories or books on philosophy, Markale is able to piece together bits and pieces of Roman and Greek writings about the druids to give us a hint at the scope of intelligence that dotted Gaul before the onslaught of Romanization and the later wave of Christian oppression. The only part of the book I did not like was the end where Markale seems like he's stretching to reach and accord between ancient druidism and the parallel path of Chrisitanity and his repeated tries to correlate druidism and the followers of christ as similar religions. All in all, though, this is a good book and a must read for anyone trulty interested in pre-fluff druidism.
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