Celtic Myths & Legends

Miniature Editions (Running Press miniature editions)

By Lady Gregory

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Average Rating: (See all reviews) Format: Hardcover, 128 pages Other Information: colour illustrations Published In: United States, 01 April 1999 Quantity Available: 301 Ships within 6-12 days In the bestselling Miniature Edition style, this little book presents Lady Gregory''s translations of the epic stories and sagas of the ancient Celts' Publisher: Running Press Miniature Editions ISBN: 0762406003 EAN: 9780762406005 Dimensions: 8.0 x 7.0 centimeters

This is another wonderful collection of myths and legends along the lines of the Celtic Myth and Legend by Charles Squire. Published in 1911, it of course suffers from outdated scholarship, but here is the tales are the more primary focus and what tales they are. We are taken through the standard cycles of Irish myth and into Welsh stories, but these retellings are well done. The book includes long narratives on Cuchulain and Fion MacCumhal, as well as a complete itinerary for the legendary Voyage of Maelduin. Geneological tables help the often tightly woven familial relationships come alive and the Glossary and Index is notable for helpful, understandable pronunciations for some of the more difficult words and names. This is a fine fireside read.

This book is meant to give the reader a general conception of the subject of the Celtic myths. The stories are too abundant to be added in their full content in a volume of this size.

Celtic Myths and Legends breaks the myths into eight chapters starting with Celts in Ancient History, Religion of the Celts and takes the reader on a trip through the Irish Invasion Myths, Early Milesian Kings, Ultonian Cycle, Ossianic Cycle, Voyage of Maeldun and Myths and Tales of the Cymry. There is a brief, but insightful explanation of the Arthurian Myths. The numerous black and white illustrations reveal the rich clothing and armor of the ancient Celts.

I have read many books on the Celtic myths and this one was the most helpful to me. I like the way the stories are broken up into shorter paragraphs with subtitles to make them easier to read and understand. There are dates given as to when these tales may have been written and when some of the legendary characters may have lived. The dates were really helpful to me and made it easier for me to understand the stories. It is interesting to see how the stories change as Christianity takes over. I think this is a great book for students and general readers who are interested in the Celtic myths.