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jennifox's review against another edition
taking a really long time to say very little
jmkemp's review against another edition
4.0
While I can't speak to the archaeology, or even the documented history, The Ancient Paths is a really interesting take on Celtic Europe. The whole thing might just be a huge coincidence, but the premise is that there are a bunch of solar paths across Europe that many of the main ancient roadways, and tribal capitals seem to sit on. I found this an interesting conjecture, and it is accompanied by quite a bit of explanation of ancient survey techniques, some of the beliefs and training of the druids and also the history from when the Romans intersected with the Celts.
I read it as a bit of additional background for world building. So from that perspective it doesn't matter if it's real or imagined. It was pretty consistent and there's certainly enough dots on the map that line up with the solstice, midsummer and midwinter sunrise lines. That those sites are there is well attested by the archaeology. Whether there are other sites off the lines that would disprove it, I don't know. The evidence also shows that the handful of pre-Roman towns seem to be aligned along the sun lines. So the ancient paths do seem to follow the sun.
Either way I found it intriguing. A bit if me wants to go read more about the druids, including some recent archaeology papers, and also get a map out and plot some of the bits myself.
I read it as a bit of additional background for world building. So from that perspective it doesn't matter if it's real or imagined. It was pretty consistent and there's certainly enough dots on the map that line up with the solstice, midsummer and midwinter sunrise lines. That those sites are there is well attested by the archaeology. Whether there are other sites off the lines that would disprove it, I don't know. The evidence also shows that the handful of pre-Roman towns seem to be aligned along the sun lines. So the ancient paths do seem to follow the sun.
Either way I found it intriguing. A bit if me wants to go read more about the druids, including some recent archaeology papers, and also get a map out and plot some of the bits myself.
ronanmcd's review against another edition
3.0
Some interesting theories, but far fetched and with little concrete evidence bar lines on maps. A dense, ponderous book that has some justification in calling for a reappraisal of the Celtic world away from the Roman descriptions that have driven its legacy.
jujibooks's review against another edition
2.0
A lot of the theory seems pretty thin. Strongest parts compare myth/ story/ art to geography.
iblamewizards's review against another edition
3.0
Graham Robb clearly has a passion for Celtic Britain and his love shows through in his language and writing style. I found the book to make excessive use of overly descriptive language however, which made the well reasoned arguments sometimes get lost in its flowery analysis.
Perhaps this choice of language was deliberate in order to disguise the highly speculative nature of Robb's thesis, however it made it rather difficult and long winded to read.
It is certainly a book that I can recommend for those interested in early British history, but it did fail to keep my interest for any length of time.
Perhaps this choice of language was deliberate in order to disguise the highly speculative nature of Robb's thesis, however it made it rather difficult and long winded to read.
It is certainly a book that I can recommend for those interested in early British history, but it did fail to keep my interest for any length of time.
stevemilleraugmailcom's review against another edition
2.0
Couldn't finish it. It seemed like it could be an interesting book but it wasn't.