CONTENTS

1. List of Illustrations - pag. vi
2. Map - pag. viii
3. Preface - pag. xi

4. The Origins of the Celts - pag. 1
5. An Illiterate Society ? - pag. 17
6. Celtic Kings and Chieftains - pag. 27
7. The Druids - pag. 47
8. Celtic Warriors - pag. 61
9. Celtic Women - pag. 81
10. Celtic Farmers - pag. 97
11. Celtic Physicians - pag. 105
12. Celtic Cosmology - pag. 115
13. Celtic Road Builders - pag. 125
14. Celtic Artists and Craftsmen - pag. 137
15. Celtic Architecture - pag. 149
16. Celtic Religion - pag. 159
17. Celtic Myth and Legend - pag. 179
18. Early Celtic History - pag. 197

19. Suggestions for Further Reading - pag. 223
20. Index - pag. 227

A nice over view of Celtic history. ( )

The Celtic people are one of the oldest breeds in history, so their story is a lengthy one. Thankfully, Ellis' Brief History sums it up neatly without going into an overwhelming amount of detail. He summarizes pretty much every topic needed for a complete introduction - ranging from the role of women to war practices - as well as discussing the historiography involved in his information sources (which is essential considering that the Celts were a largely oral culure during the pre-Christian era). In summation, this book provides a perfect introduction to the Celtic people and acts as a good starting point for any amateur historian or casual reader. I know I'll be reading more on some of the topic that Ellis glosses, and I'll be taking suggestions from the handy list of additional reading sources that he ends the book with. ( )

Some interesting nuggets but I get the same feeling I do with the author's fiction, that he views the Celts through much too rosy glasses. And his obsession with seeking parallels with Vedic Indians got a bit tedious at times. ( )