Description
Book SynopsisFrom the Iron Age to the High Middle Ages, the ancient Celts were an engine of change for the whole of Europe. Here, Simon Young travels back in time to the moments when this ancient people defined indelibly the ancient, medieval and modern world. On this entertaining voyage, the reader will visit the hills of ancient Rome in the company of violent mohicaned warbands, pass into Dark-Age Christendom and witness Celtic monks' peculiar customs of curses and talking to animals. And move on to later medieval France, Germany and England where the ruthless vagabond-hero Arthur was to cast his spell over Britain's and Europe's aristocracy. While modern Celtic culture is an eighteenth-century invention, Simon Young shows that the real Celts turned upside down an area from the New World to Turkey and beyond. Leaving their mark on history, they were no less important than the Romans, Greeks and Etruscans.
Trade Review'Not many scholars can describe 2000 years with authority - witty, entertaining.' Ian Mortimer, Guardian 'Up-to-date scholarship and panache - the best available.' Prof Patrick Sims-Williams, TLS Fascinating well, well paced - a book that will entertain, inform, and inspire.' G Gasper, Church Times 'A writer with the enviable ability to make even the obscurest periods of history accessible and interesting... rare that such evident learning is work with such lightness and sprezzatura... a wonderfully written book.' Tom Holland, Sunday Telegraph 'Diverting - refreshingly contentious.' David Musgrove, BBC History Magazine 'Extrardinarily ambitious.' Byron Rogers, Spectator 'Lively, well-written.' Fortean Times 'A terrific story - with agreeably eye-watering detail.' Peter Jones, Evening Standard Best Books 'Racy' Daily Mail Lead Review 'Riveting' Halifax Courier 'Witty, informative and enthralling.' Western Mail
