Druids: A Very Short Introduction

Druids: A Very Short Introduction PDF

Author: Barry Cunliffe

Publisher: OUP Oxford

Published: 2010-05-27

Total Pages: 160

ISBN-13: 0191613789

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Who were the Druids? What do we know about them? Do they still exist today? The Druids first came into focus in Western Europe - Gaul, Britain, and Ireland - in the second century BC. They are a popular subject; they have been known and discussed for over 2,000 years and few figures flit so elusively through history. They are enigmatic and puzzling, partly because of the lack of knowledge about them has resulted in a wide spectrum of interpretations. Barry Cunliffe takes the reader through the evidence relating to the Druids, trying to decide what can be said and what can't be said about them. He examines why the nature of the druid caste changed quite dramatically over time, and how successive generations have interpreted the phenomenon in very different ways. ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.

The Celts: A Very Short Introduction

The Celts: A Very Short Introduction PDF

Author: Barry Cunliffe

Publisher: OUP Oxford

Published: 2003-06-26

Total Pages: 176

ISBN-13: 0191577871

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Savage and bloodthirsty, or civilized and peaceable? The Celts have long been a subject of enormous fascination, speculation, and misunderstanding. From the ancient Romans to the present day, their real nature has been obscured by a tangled web of preconceived ideas and stereotypes. Barry Cunliffe seeks to reveal this fascinating people for the first time, using an impressive range of evidence, and exploring subjects such as trade, migration, and the evolution of Celtic traditions. Along the way, he exposes the way in which society's needs have shaped our visions of the Celts, and examines such colourful characters as St Patrick, Cú Chulainn, and Boudica. ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.

What Do Druids Believe?

What Do Druids Believe? PDF

Author: Philip Carr-Gomm

Publisher: Granta

Published: 2006

Total Pages: 132

ISBN-13: 9781862078642

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Druidism evolved out of the tribal cultures of Britain, Ireland, and western France over 2000 years ago. Druidry's appeal lies in its focus on a reverence for the natural world. This book explains the practical value of following Druidism, and examines its core beliefs and relevance to the contemporary issues.

Drugs

Drugs PDF

Author: Leslie L. Iversen

Publisher: Oxford University Press

Published: 2016

Total Pages: 145

ISBN-13: 0198745796

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The twentieth century saw a remarkable upsurge of research on drugs, with major advances in the treatment of bacterial and viral infections, heart disease, stomach ulcers, cancer, and metal illnesses. These, along with the introduction of the oral contraceptive, have altered all of our lives. There has also been an increase in the recreational use and abuse of drugs in the Western world. This Very Short Introduction, in its second edition, gives a non-technical account of how drugs work in the body. Reviewing both legal (alcohol, nicotine, and caffeine) and illegal drugs, Les Iversen discusses why some are addictive, and whether drug laws need reform. ABOUT THE SERIES The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.

Iron Age Communities in Britain

Iron Age Communities in Britain PDF

Author: Barry Cunliffe

Publisher: Routledge

Published: 2004-08-02

Total Pages: 752

ISBN-13: 1134277245

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This fully revised fourth edition maintains the qualities of the earlier editions whilst taking into account the significant developments that have moulded the discipline in recent years.

Druid Mysteries

Druid Mysteries PDF

Author: Philip Carr-Gomm

Publisher: Random House

Published: 2002

Total Pages: 194

ISBN-13: 0712661107

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In this beautifully-written guide, Chief Druid Philip Carr-Gomm shows how the way of Druids can be followed today. He explains the ancient history and inspiring beliefs of the ancient Druids; Druidic wild wisdom and their tree-, animal-, and herb-lore; the mysteries of the Druids' seasonal celebrations; their use of magic; and how their spirituality relates to paths such as Wicca. This guide shows how the wild wisdom of the Druids can help us to connect with our spirituality, our innate creativity, the natural world, and our sense of ancestry.

The Druid's Primer

The Druid's Primer PDF

Author: Luke Eastwood

Publisher: John Hunt Publishing

Published: 2012-02-24

Total Pages: 318

ISBN-13: 1846947650

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Perhaps the first serious attempt to collate the vast body of druidic knowledge from verifiable ancient sources and Celtic survivals into one usable and practical volume as a handy reference for druids and a learning tool for the would be druid. Inspired by the medieval Irish 'Scholar's Primer' this work is the culmination of 15 years' research and practical exploration of what it means to be a druid in a modern context. , ,

Prehistory

Prehistory PDF

Author: Chris Gosden

Publisher: Oxford University Press

Published: 2018

Total Pages: 153

ISBN-13: 0198803516

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Recent archaeological discoveries from China and central Asia have changed our understanding of how human civilization developed in the period of some 4 million years before the start of written history. In this new edition of his Very Short Introduction, Chris Gosden explores the current theories on the ebb and flow of human cultural variety.

Teeth: A Very Short Introduction

Teeth: A Very Short Introduction PDF

Author: Peter S. Ungar

Publisher: Oxford University Press

Published: 2014-03

Total Pages: 153

ISBN-13: 0199670595

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Teeth are a vital component of vertebrate anatomy and a fundamental part of the fossil record. It was the evolution of teeth, associated with predation, that drove the evolution of the wide array of fish, amphibians, reptiles, and then mammals. Peter S. Ungar looks at how, without teeth, none of these developments could have occurred.