This is one of those rare reads that consumed me from beginning to end. I read it 3 years ago, and to this day no book I have read since has even compared.
This book is so powerful, and the historical images so interesting that after I finished it I read several more non-fiction books about the Gauls, Caesar, and Druids. I found every bit of historical information in "Druids" to be correct.
Phrases from the book pop into my mind occasionally, and the situations in the book actually served as insights about life. For example, when Ainvar and Rix go through their rite of passage into manhood, and during the rites another boy, Crom, shows his fear...later on Rix gives Ainvar a warning about Crom, "He failed himself at the (rites) and you were a witness. He won't forgive you for having seen his weakness." Crom turns out to be a bitter enemy of the main character (and good guy), Ainvar.
There is much in this book to learn about the Gaul culture and history. Kudo's to Llewellyn for digging it up and compiling it- and in such an entertaining way!
This book shows what can happen to an entire culture because of one man's greed and desire for political power.
I found myself cheering desperately for Vercingetorix's success in the final battle, even though I knew how it would end. His strength and stubborn will against becoming a Roman's slave is a testament to the ancient Celtic spirit and was truly inspiring.
On a more psychological note, the characters were true archetypes, and while reading the book I found I was able to "project" myself and people I know into the characters roles. Because of the realism and down-to-earth character descriptions and their lifestyles (no laced-up heaving bosoms or musky manhood here!), it was easy to relate to them and understand them. The characters had depth and very human qualities.
I loved how the story was told from the perspective of the "underdog". I also loved how, regardless of their losses in battles, the Gauls NEVER compromised their beliefs or let Rome conquer their spirits.
This tale went far beyond entertainment for me. After I finished the book and pursued my new interest in the Gallic Wars, I discovered something that held me in awe. This book described the beginning of a chain of events that changed the course of history. Rome defeated Gaul- a land that had no roads, no currency, no taxes, earth-based spirituality, and only tribal leadership. Rome conquered Gaul violently through warfare and set up "democracy" across Europe. Built roads. Set up a system of currency and taxes. Also from Rome came Catholicism (Christianity), which spread across Europe and replaced the "old ways."
A few hundred years later, after Rome had suppressed several Gallic rebellions and completely changed the cultural direction in which the tribes of Gaul would have grown, lo and behold those new Romanized Christian patriarchal Europeans sail on over to the "New World" and do the same thing their ancestors did, only to a different people's land and culture- the Native Americans.
Welcome to the modern Western World, the bastard child of a few ancient Roman's violence and greed!
Read this book, and understand how it all started.
Epinions.com periodically updates pricing and product information from third-party sources, so some information may be slightly out-of-date. You should confirm all information before relying on it.
- Add to My Yahoo!: 
- Add to Google Homepage: 
© 1999-2009 Shopping.com, Inc.