First written down in the eighth century AD, these early Irish stories depict a far older world--part myth, part legend and part history. Rich with magic and achingly beautiful, they speak of a land... This description may be from another edition of this product.
A nice collection of all the old Irish myths and ballads, especially those of Chu Chulainn and his various heroic exploits. Gives an intriguing glimpse into the culture and times of the pre-Roman, pre-Christian Irish Gaelic people.
satified
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 17 years ago
I needed this book for an adult ed course. Opened a new door in literature
Best of its kind for its size
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 17 years ago
There are a lot of books out there that contain sections and retellings of early Irish myths. Most of them are more expensive and have far less material in them. This is a very good collection at an excellent price and is a great place to start for folks who are newly interested in the field. Gantz is a well-respected scholar and the pieces and translations chosen are very good for giving you a feel of the variety of material out there.
An excellent choice for anyone interested in mythology.
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 25 years ago
Early Irish Myths and Sagas is a collection of stories revolving around a time in Ireland's history known as the Ulster Cycle. The Ulster Cycle produced many grand adventures involving heroes, giants, contests, courting and great battles. The narrations follow the lives of the Ancient Celts, who were a warrior class society, similar to that of the one in Beowulf. The collection of myths found in Early Irish Myths and Sagas, hold themes that are commonly found in other mythological texts from other cultures. Many parallels can be drawn between a character named Cu Chulaind (whom appears in many of the stories) and Hercules of the Greek tradition. The stories found in this collection are the kind that set the guidelines for modern fantasy and fiction writers today. This book is a must for anyone interested in books about: mythology, warrior based society, ancient Celts(ancestors to the Scottish Highlanders), or interesting battle tactics.
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