by Ross Nichols
Published by HarperCollins
Description
This is a survey of the Druids from their earliest history to the present.
It explains the deities and myths as well as the relationship between
Druids and Arthur, Taliesin and the Grail. Druid teachings are examined
in relation to sacred sites - including Glastonbury and Stonehenge.
Reviews
Review One
Alright first lets start off and say that this is a wonderful book written
by a man that has done so much for modern druidry. Ross Nichols was the
Chief of the Order of Bards, Ovates, and Druids from 1964 at his election
until his untimely death in 1990. The book starts off with a forward by
Current Chosen Chief of the Order of Bards, Ovates and Druids, Philip
Carr-Gomm. Philip was a student of Ross Nichols as a child and studied
with him often. Over the years the two became vast friends, and no one
knew more about Ross’ views on druidry better than Philip did. The
forward gives us personal insight on Ross and his views and the relationship
that Philip had with him. The book itself is more or less divided into
four main parts with so much more in the middle. It starts off with a
recollection of druidry and its history. Then proceeds on to tell the
reader about the nine groups of drudic concepts. Also included in the
book is a great reference to historical sites that are very important
sites to druidry. Finally the book ends with druid wisdom and perhaps
what we could call the basic on practicing druidry, and druidry itself.
Review written by Marmaduke.
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Review Two
Review Summary
eccentric, but interesting
Comments
The Book of Druidry was one of the first mainstream books published on
Druidry, and is essentially the posthumously published work of Ross Nichols,
former chief of the Order of Bards, Ovates and Druids. This book is interesting
from a historical perspective, but is most certainly not a Druid's bible,
or sourcebook. Many of Nichols' ideas are fairly eccentric, are not supported
by current archaeological evidence (Druids coming from Atlantis, or space),
and are worked to fit in with his personal Christian ideals.
I'd still recommend this book, as long as one bears in mind that the written
word is not a be-all or an end-all. It's not so much about the actual
history of the Druids, as about imagining a history to tie in with neo-Druidry.
Nichols was a friend of Gerald Gardner, founder of the Wiccan tradition,
and in my mind this book basically does for Druidry what Gardner did for
modern witchcraft. To be read with a hefty pinch of salt.
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Review Three
Review Summary
A druids encyclopedia! Very informative.
Comments
An exellent book, very well researched and written. The author (nuinn)
took years to complete this work and it shows in the depth of information
offered. The book is ideal for those with some knowledge of druid history
and practice but may confuse the beginner. Contains references to ancient
mounds, barrows and circles, photographs, info about the eight druid festivals
and ways of celebrating them. No historian or druid should be without
this book!
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