Celtic Myths and Legends - Softcover

Ellis, Peter Berresford

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0786711078 ISBN 13: 9780786711079

Publisher: Running Pr Book Pub, 2003

Synopsis

This is an enchantingly told collection of the stirring sagas of gods and goddesses, fabulous beasts, strange creatures, and such heroes as Cuchulain, Fingal, and King Arthur from the ancient Celtic world. Included are popular myths and legends from all six Celtic cultures of Western EuropeIrish, Scots, Manx, Welsh, Cornish, and Breton. Here for the modern reader are the rediscovered tales of cattle raids, tribal invasions, druids, duels, and doomed love that have been incorporated into, and sometimes distorted by, European mythology and even Christian figures. For example, there is the story of Lugh of the Long Hand, one of the greatest gods in the Celtic pantheon, who was later transformed into the faerie craftsman Lugh-Chromain, and finally demoted to the lowly Leprechaun. Celtic Myths and Legends also retells the story of the classic tragic love story of Tristan and Iseult (probably of Cornish originthere was a real King Mark and a real Tristan in Cornwall) and the original tale of King Arthur, a Welsh leader who fought against the invading Anglo-Saxons. In the hands of Peter Berresford Ellis, the myths sung by long-dead Celtic bards come alive to enchant the modern reader. "The casual reader will be best entertained by ...the legends themselves ...colored with plenty of swordplay, ...quests, shape-shiftings, and druidic sorcery. "Publishers Weekly

About this title

Review:

Good bedtime stories for all the family. (Hilary Boyd The Daily Express)

Employs his skills as a storyteller, to ensure these tales remain fresh for another generation. (Grania McFadden Belfast Telegraph)

This book brings to life the oldest legends of these isles, in a style that will entertain young and old. (Robert Colbeck Yorkshire Evening Post)

This is an excellent introduction to the legends of all the Celtic traditions, treading a fine line between the accessible and the scholarly. (Linda McKee Irish News)

Book Description:

From all six Celtic cultures - Irish, Scots, Welsh, Cornish, Manx and Breton - Ellis has included popular myths and legends, as well as bringing to light exciting tales which have been lying in manuscript form, translated and unknown to the modern general reader.

About this edition

• Publisher: Running Pr Book Pub
• Publication date: 2003
• ISBN 10: 0786711078
• ISBN 13: 9780786711079
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 544