The Druids by Ronald Hutton

Subject: RE: The Druids by Ronald Hutton
From: Spleen Cringe
Date: 05 Aug 09 - 02:30 PM

Its on my list. I really enjoyed "Stations of the Sun" and his history of modern pagan witchcraft, "The Triumph of the Moon", which also wins my "best book title" prize...

Subject: RE: The Druids by Ronald Hutton
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 05 Aug 09 - 02:16 PM

It's a great exercise in academic study. No. 1 Question - what is the evidence? Then we can get stuck into a bit of analysis.

I am finding it an excellent read.

L in C
getting ready for The Beech

Subject: RE: The Druids by Ronald Hutton
From: Phil Edwards
Date: 05 Aug 09 - 02:01 PM

Ed - here's the opening of the LRB review of the Hutton book:

"When I first met Ronald Hutton, at a conference in Montana ten years ago, he remarked that if you looked at a modern book on druids, what you were likely to find was a number of chapters about ancient druids – about whom we know very little – followed by a perfunctory coda on modern druids, about whom we know a great deal. Wasn't this, he asked, obviously the wrong way round?"

And sure enough (according to the review), the book contains a perfunctory introduction on ancient druids followed by several chapters about modern 'druids'.

Subject: RE: The Druids by Ronald Hutton
From: GUEST,Edthefolkie
Date: 05 Aug 09 - 12:32 PM

Must have a look at that. Nice to see the reference to "the way Druids have BEEN IMAGINED since 1500". Talk to some New Agers/pagans and you would think all the guff written about Druids is hard fact. Rather like Morris dancers being a bit moorish.

I must admit I thought at first the thread were about them Druids from the mythical county of Derbyshire, who made that record "Burnt Offering" and contained John Adams and Judi Longden.

Subject: RE: The Druids by Ronald Hutton
From: Jack Blandiver
Date: 05 Aug 09 - 05:29 AM

I will explore! Just finished the latest Phil Rickman, after Trubshaw's Explore Folklore, so something along those lines will do just nicely to see me through the rest of August...

Subject: RE: The Druids by Ronald Hutton
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 05 Aug 09 - 05:12 AM

Some people seem rather afraid of his scholarship

L in C

Subject: RE: The Druids by Ronald Hutton
From: Valmai Goodyear
Date: 04 Aug 09 - 05:37 AM

Thanks, Les. I heartily agree that Stations of the Sun is an excellent and entertaining reference book.

Valmai

Subject: RE: The Druids by Ronald Hutton
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 04 Aug 09 - 05:26 AM

Sean, he is exlnt. Stations of the Sun - the best

Cheers

Les
First Wednesday of the rest of our lives is tomorrow!

Subject: RE: The Druids by Ronald Hutton
From: Jack Blandiver
Date: 04 Aug 09 - 05:21 AM

One of these days I'll get round to reading him...

Subject: RE: The Druids by Ronald Hutton
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 04 Aug 09 - 05:17 AM

Sure will Valmai,

ISBN 978 1 85285 5338

From Amazon:

Product Description
Ronald Hutton's latest book is the first comprehensive study of what people have thought about the ancient Druids and why. Written in a racy and accessible style, it is essential reading for everyone interested in exploring our mysterious past. Most books written on the Druids hitherto have been by archaeologists specialising in the Iron Age, who have occupied a great deal of space trying to find things to say about the 'original' ancient priesthood. Most have then devoted a final section of their books to people who have called themselves Druids since 1700 - until recently with contemptuous dismissal. Hutton's contention is that the sources for the ancient Druids are so few and unreliable that almost nothing certain can be said about them. Instead, he reverses the traditional balance of interest to look at the many ways in which Druids have been imagined in Britain since 1500, and what this tells us about modern and early modern society. In the process, he achieves many new insights into the development of British national identities, established and 'alternative' religions, literary culture, fraternal organisation and protest movements. He also suggests new ways in which the discipline of archaeology can be perceived - which will delight some practitioners and enrage others.

About the Author
Ronald Hutton is Professor of History at the University of Bristol. As well as several major works on Civil War and seventeenth century history he is also the author of the Stations of the Sun, The Triumph of the Moon, Shamans: Siberian Spirituality and the Western Imagination and Witches, Druids and King Arthur.

Cheers

Les

Subject: RE: The Druids by Ronald Hutton
From: Valmai Goodyear
Date: 04 Aug 09 - 05:09 AM

He's a serious academic, not a new age wishful thinker, so anything he writes will be worth reading and there will be a clear distinction between what's on the record and what's been re-invented.

Could you tell us more about the book, Les?

Valmai

Subject: The Druids by Ronald Hutton
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 04 Aug 09 - 02:09 AM

Best book on the Druids to date?

L in C