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Blood of the Celts: The New Ancestral Story
Blood of the Celts brings together genetic, archaeological, and linguistic evidence to address the often-debated question: who were the Celts? What peoples or cultural identities should that term describe? And did they in fact inhabit the British Isles before the Romans arrived? Author Jean Manco challenges existing accounts of the origins of the Celts, providing a new analysis that draws on the latest discoveries as well as ancient history.
In a novel approach, the book opens with a discussion of early medieval Irish and British texts, allowing the Celts to speak in their own words and voices. It then traces their story back in time into prehistory to their deepest origins and their ancestors, before bringing the narrative forward to the present day. Each chapter also has a useful summary in bullet points to aid the reader and highlight the key facts in the story.
In a novel approach, the book opens with a discussion of early medieval Irish and British texts, allowing the Celts to speak in their own words and voices. It then traces their story back in time into prehistory to their deepest origins and their ancestors, before bringing the narrative forward to the present day. Each chapter also has a useful summary in bullet points to aid the reader and highlight the key facts in the story.
240 pages, Hardcover
First published September 7, 2015
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August 24, 2024
✔️~Blood of the Celts: The New Ancestral Story by Jean Manco [3.5 stars]
Review:
Manco presents a broad, but multidisciplinary synthesis of Celtic origins and identity, tracking the Celts from their distant origins to their modern descendants through genetics, archaeology, history and linguistics. She defines Celts as “an ancient person known to have spoken a Celtic language” and states that the Celts were not a race as the “genetic differences are far too subtle to talk in terms of a Celtic race.” The book starts with an examination of early medieval Irish and British texts, allowing the Celts to speak in their own words and voices . It then traces their story back in time into prehistory to their deepest origins and their ancestors, before bringing the narrative forward to the present day. This is not an exhaustive text on the subject, merely a broad and rather concise overview, with a probably too technical coverage of Y-DNA. I found this book mildly disappointing as I was expecting more in terms of genetic research, rather than a summary of Celtic history, especially their conflicts with Rome.
Review:
Manco presents a broad, but multidisciplinary synthesis of Celtic origins and identity, tracking the Celts from their distant origins to their modern descendants through genetics, archaeology, history and linguistics. She defines Celts as “an ancient person known to have spoken a Celtic language” and states that the Celts were not a race as the “genetic differences are far too subtle to talk in terms of a Celtic race.” The book starts with an examination of early medieval Irish and British texts, allowing the Celts to speak in their own words and voices . It then traces their story back in time into prehistory to their deepest origins and their ancestors, before bringing the narrative forward to the present day. This is not an exhaustive text on the subject, merely a broad and rather concise overview, with a probably too technical coverage of Y-DNA. I found this book mildly disappointing as I was expecting more in terms of genetic research, rather than a summary of Celtic history, especially their conflicts with Rome.
March 5, 2016
So, really interested in this topic, especially the very recent DNA evidence on Celtic origins and how well it corresponds to other linguistic and archaeological evidence. BUT, several things spoiled it for me. First, I would not escape the feeling that some cultural approbation was going on; the author (who seems to be British) kept referring to Ireland as the British Isles and lumping Britons and Irish Celts in one bag (insular celts). All in all it seemed to be saying, to me, these Paddies are really British, they don't know it but the genetics proves it. I normally would not notice such things, but here it was really hard to ignore. Second, it was clear that the DNA stuff was, sort of, tacked on; the book was clearly written and some editor said what about the DNA evidence, so rather lazily this is all put in Appendices and boxes (set off from the text), with a few references in the main text. So, you can see the joins. But, maybe I am just being churlish.
July 2, 2018
~Disclaimer I received this book for free~
The author states their intent clearly within the prologue: “The aim here is to present a new multidisciplinary synthesis, tracking the Celts from their distant origins to their modern descendants through genetics, archaeology, history and linguistics.” (p. 9)
The author follows the definition of a Celt as “...an ancient person known to have spoken a Celtic language” and states that the Celts were not a race as the “...genetic differences are far too subtle to talk in terms of a Celtic race.” (p. 9).
This text is fairly academic and not written in an accessible way. I read a fair amount of academic texts and this doesn’t bother me, but it may be a factor for others. The author does provide an overview at the end of each chapter. A base understanding of the Celts would probably be best for any who wish to read this book.
A look at each chapter:
The Voice of the Celts- This chapter provides a review of written texts regarding the Celts
The Gauls and Celtic- This chapter focuses on the relation between the Gauls and the Celts- with focus given to the burial practices, chariots, and warfare (Chapter feels like it lacks a clear focus and intent)
Bell Beakers and Language- This chapter focuses on the pottery known as bell beakers and the people that made/used them. Then for the last few pages of the chapter it veers sharply over to an entirely different topic of linguistics.
The Indo-European Family- This chapter dives into the Indo-European Family of languages and what we can learn about people who spoke it from language.
Stelae to Bell Beaker- This chapter looks at Celtic sanctuaries/shrines and the traditions surrounding them.
The Iron Sword- This chapter lacks focus: beginning with discussing bronze and then iron, then deviating to talk about the burial of the Lady of Vix, and then shifts to talk briefly about sculptures/art.
On the Move-As the chapter title suggest, this chapter focused on the migration of the Celts (where they went and why).
Celts vs Romans- Again as the title suggests, this chapter talks about the clashes between the Celts and the Romans as the Roman empire absorbed the Celts.
Christian Celts-As the title of the chapter suggests, this chapter talks about Christianity within the Celts/Picts/Scots (as well as more linguistics).
Loss and Revival-This chapter talks about the decrease in native speakers of Celtic languages, the renewed interest that Queen Victoria brought about and the modern views on the Celts.
I found this book dry to read, although some of the information was fascinating, and I find it difficult to recommend it to others. But if the above information intrigues you and you aren’t intimidated by the academic and dry writing style go ahead and give it a try.
The author states their intent clearly within the prologue: “The aim here is to present a new multidisciplinary synthesis, tracking the Celts from their distant origins to their modern descendants through genetics, archaeology, history and linguistics.” (p. 9)
The author follows the definition of a Celt as “...an ancient person known to have spoken a Celtic language” and states that the Celts were not a race as the “...genetic differences are far too subtle to talk in terms of a Celtic race.” (p. 9).
This text is fairly academic and not written in an accessible way. I read a fair amount of academic texts and this doesn’t bother me, but it may be a factor for others. The author does provide an overview at the end of each chapter. A base understanding of the Celts would probably be best for any who wish to read this book.
A look at each chapter:
The Voice of the Celts- This chapter provides a review of written texts regarding the Celts
The Gauls and Celtic- This chapter focuses on the relation between the Gauls and the Celts- with focus given to the burial practices, chariots, and warfare (Chapter feels like it lacks a clear focus and intent)
Bell Beakers and Language- This chapter focuses on the pottery known as bell beakers and the people that made/used them. Then for the last few pages of the chapter it veers sharply over to an entirely different topic of linguistics.
The Indo-European Family- This chapter dives into the Indo-European Family of languages and what we can learn about people who spoke it from language.
Stelae to Bell Beaker- This chapter looks at Celtic sanctuaries/shrines and the traditions surrounding them.
The Iron Sword- This chapter lacks focus: beginning with discussing bronze and then iron, then deviating to talk about the burial of the Lady of Vix, and then shifts to talk briefly about sculptures/art.
On the Move-As the chapter title suggest, this chapter focused on the migration of the Celts (where they went and why).
Celts vs Romans- Again as the title suggests, this chapter talks about the clashes between the Celts and the Romans as the Roman empire absorbed the Celts.
Christian Celts-As the title of the chapter suggests, this chapter talks about Christianity within the Celts/Picts/Scots (as well as more linguistics).
Loss and Revival-This chapter talks about the decrease in native speakers of Celtic languages, the renewed interest that Queen Victoria brought about and the modern views on the Celts.
I found this book dry to read, although some of the information was fascinating, and I find it difficult to recommend it to others. But if the above information intrigues you and you aren’t intimidated by the academic and dry writing style go ahead and give it a try.
December 12, 2016
It's great to see a measured summary of the century-long discussion of what 'Celtic' really means, updated with the details of DNA research. There are bits and bobs missing from this discussion, I think, but there is no point in dwelling on them - they are minor issues. The book is well-written and conveniently structured; it can interest a non-professional reader, too, and that is what really counts.
December 21, 2021
In "Blood of the Celts", Jean Manco uses genetic, archeological, and linguistic evidence to trace the expansion and migration of Celtic tribes across Europe from the protoIndo-European roots to the modern Gealtacht. It was a clear and concise story that didn't dwell on any section too long and had chapter summaries at the end of each subjects. Really good introduction to the subject!
December 4, 2025
A fascinating subject, but too often the text devolves into a list of names and dates.
November 10, 2024
This is a very good book overall, but with some mistakes. For example Jean Manco hypothesises that the Yamna people spread from the Pontic Steppe to Northern Italy, then to Corsica, Sardinia, Iberia and then finally Brittany during the Copper Age. However this was proven to be false by ancient DNA tests. The Yamna people predominantly belongs to haplogroup R1b, while the Copper Age cultures of Northern Italy (Remedello) and Sardinia as well as the early Bell Beakers in Portugal were descendants of the local Neolithic populations (mostly Y-DNA haplogroups G2a and I2a). The problem is that she associates anthropomorphic stelae and pottery (bell beakers) with a specific ethnic group, and in this case they are not related (sometimes there are but not always and not here). The Yamna descendants (R1b) who migrated to Central Europe adopted the local bell beaker pottery and took it with them when the advanced to Western Europe. But the bell beaker pottery did not originate with them and was already present all over Western Europe before their arrival.
It's also worth noting that the book is 240 pages long but that the actual content only covers about 130 pages. The rest is made up of the extensive bibliography.
It's also worth noting that the book is 240 pages long but that the actual content only covers about 130 pages. The rest is made up of the extensive bibliography.
November 14, 2020
This book took me a long time to read. I picked up this book years ago and had skimmed read it before to get into the population genetics, but never took the time to actually read the book until last year. This book was a lot more history based than scientific... which isn't a problem for people who genuinely love history. However, as a scientist, I didn't care much about the history of the Celts. I didn't care about their language or their warfare... or the Romans who went on an ethnic cleanse on Germanic and Celtic tribes.
What I was more interested in was the DNA side of the book, and while Manco does get into the DNA and she does get into population genetics, the vast majority of the book was Manco explaining what the Celts were and their history. While Manco did a great job at showing just how dispersed the Celtic people were throughout Europe (something that I didn't even know), most of the book was tedious to get through as it was just the author explaining who and what the Celts were... and not just the scope that I am interested in.
What I was more interested in was the DNA side of the book, and while Manco does get into the DNA and she does get into population genetics, the vast majority of the book was Manco explaining what the Celts were and their history. While Manco did a great job at showing just how dispersed the Celtic people were throughout Europe (something that I didn't even know), most of the book was tedious to get through as it was just the author explaining who and what the Celts were... and not just the scope that I am interested in.
January 23, 2016
Interesting but sometimes she tends to jump to conclusions that one would rather see further explained, as if it was written in haste.
May 2, 2024
[2020] I wanted a succinct, concise and easily accessible account of the origins of the Celts, particularly those of the British Isles and after reading this book I was, sorry to say, left disappointed. To be clear the book is detailed, meticulously researched and seems up to date. The presentation is excellent with red sub-headings, information boxes, tables, drawings and photographs. The chapters are short and end with a bullet point summary. All of which I liked. However I found the subject difficult to follow, it seems to jump-around a fair bit and zooms from one place in Europe to another and from subject to subject. I wish a clearer chronological order had been used as I was continually lost and confused.
It was also disappointing to hear the same old tropes trotted out - 'Cornish had died out in the nineteenth century'-It had not. Or, the Cornish revival started in 2008, when a bilingual Cornish/English sign was erected on the Tamar Bridge. The Cornish had not cared about their language for centuries. Then the ultimate piece of propaganda - that the Celtic languages died out because the Celts couldn't be bothered with them, no mention of the centuries of Cultural oppression of the English and other tribes/nations. Could it be that a 2020 edition of a book about the Celts - blaming the Celts for letting their language die out is the most contemporary example of this? Genetics is a fascinating subject that has the potential to tells us much about our origins, but let's be honest-here no-one, apart from Geneticists, care about the detailed genetic codes. All we want is simple explanations and and understandings of what it all means. Too scientific and academic - including a chart of the 'Tree of Y-DNA halo group I2a2a1a1 (M284)' Important in a text book, but adds nothing to the general reader.
I wanted a easy-read history of the Celts, a chronology, a narrative story and although these may have been present I couldn't find them. I take my hat off to anyone who engages in such diligent research and is obviously so passionate about her subject, but the lack of a powerful narrative arch made following the thought train too much like hard work. I understand that others disagree and found the book wonderful, so perhaps I just chalk this up as a good book, but not for me.
It was also disappointing to hear the same old tropes trotted out - 'Cornish had died out in the nineteenth century'-It had not. Or, the Cornish revival started in 2008, when a bilingual Cornish/English sign was erected on the Tamar Bridge. The Cornish had not cared about their language for centuries. Then the ultimate piece of propaganda - that the Celtic languages died out because the Celts couldn't be bothered with them, no mention of the centuries of Cultural oppression of the English and other tribes/nations. Could it be that a 2020 edition of a book about the Celts - blaming the Celts for letting their language die out is the most contemporary example of this? Genetics is a fascinating subject that has the potential to tells us much about our origins, but let's be honest-here no-one, apart from Geneticists, care about the detailed genetic codes. All we want is simple explanations and and understandings of what it all means. Too scientific and academic - including a chart of the 'Tree of Y-DNA halo group I2a2a1a1 (M284)' Important in a text book, but adds nothing to the general reader.
I wanted a easy-read history of the Celts, a chronology, a narrative story and although these may have been present I couldn't find them. I take my hat off to anyone who engages in such diligent research and is obviously so passionate about her subject, but the lack of a powerful narrative arch made following the thought train too much like hard work. I understand that others disagree and found the book wonderful, so perhaps I just chalk this up as a good book, but not for me.
June 26, 2021
Having established my own impeccable Y-chromosomal Celtic genetic origins (Rb1 mate) it is intriguing to discover through careful research that we tattooed ones ended up in Western Europe as a bunch of belligerent tribes who eventually capitulated to the Romans and the Saxons. I like the idea of being descended from a Beaker person forging west in search of copper, or possibly one of the Black Sea Yanmaya with newly honed horse-riding and wheel-making skills herding my cattle and guzzling the milk that my lactose intolerant foes couldn’t digest. This biological advantage of course gave one loads of spare time and sons for fighting our neighbours and expanding our horizons as well as creating great art.
If you enjoy this book I recommend the hugely detailed History of English podcast as an excellent companion.
If you enjoy this book I recommend the hugely detailed History of English podcast as an excellent companion.
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February 9, 2024I am trying to comment on Mark’s review but it won’t let me.
I am not a scholar of genetics or of history, but I have read from various sources that there is a genetic link between Galicia and the Basque Country in Spain. I read that the genetics show a clear migration from the northwest of the Iberian peninsula to Ireland. This confirms ancient Irish mythology. I read this in both the Irish Times and The New York Times. The research was conducted by Prof Dan Bradley of Trinity College Dublin’s Smurfit Institute of Genetics.
The author of blood of the celts writes, “Genetically, the Irish do not cluster close to Iberians, despite the claims in some origin myths. Instead the overlap with their nearest neighbors, the British.”
This along with your comments give me pause. I am reading a sample of this book. I was really excited to read it, but now I am not so sure.
I am not a scholar of genetics or of history, but I have read from various sources that there is a genetic link between Galicia and the Basque Country in Spain. I read that the genetics show a clear migration from the northwest of the Iberian peninsula to Ireland. This confirms ancient Irish mythology. I read this in both the Irish Times and The New York Times. The research was conducted by Prof Dan Bradley of Trinity College Dublin’s Smurfit Institute of Genetics.
The author of blood of the celts writes, “Genetically, the Irish do not cluster close to Iberians, despite the claims in some origin myths. Instead the overlap with their nearest neighbors, the British.”
This along with your comments give me pause. I am reading a sample of this book. I was really excited to read it, but now I am not so sure.
September 15, 2019
A relatively short and copiously illustrated book which attempts a synthesis of other works about the origins of the Celts, importantly incorporating DNA evidence to counter previous theories about their origins. The earlier chapters are more successful and the use of bullet point summaries at end of each chapter is excellent.
Unfortunately the Celts vs Romans chapter feels rushed, just trying to enumerate the Roman conquest of lands previously occupied by Celtic speaking people.
I have read several books about and around the Celts in the past few years and this is a very good supplement to those books. However, it is too concise and assumes too much prior knowledge to be a good introduction.
Unfortunately the Celts vs Romans chapter feels rushed, just trying to enumerate the Roman conquest of lands previously occupied by Celtic speaking people.
I have read several books about and around the Celts in the past few years and this is a very good supplement to those books. However, it is too concise and assumes too much prior knowledge to be a good introduction.
March 4, 2022
Ok, a few things:
- You've gotta approach this from a historical and genetic perspective. But not genetics in the "I want to be cool and unique and base my personality around my ancestry and the cool mythologies attached to that". No, genetics in it's scientific form, with big strings of code, and the history attached to it.
- There is a lot of Roman discourse in here. I get so sick of reading about the Romans, but once I got over myself, I realised that a proper historical delve into the Celtic culture and people *needs* to rely upon Roman interaction. The Celts were in Europe, not just the Isles.
Otherwise, go forth and read some heavy history, but interesting finds. I can't wait to see what archaeology discovers next TBH.
- You've gotta approach this from a historical and genetic perspective. But not genetics in the "I want to be cool and unique and base my personality around my ancestry and the cool mythologies attached to that". No, genetics in it's scientific form, with big strings of code, and the history attached to it.
- There is a lot of Roman discourse in here. I get so sick of reading about the Romans, but once I got over myself, I realised that a proper historical delve into the Celtic culture and people *needs* to rely upon Roman interaction. The Celts were in Europe, not just the Isles.
Otherwise, go forth and read some heavy history, but interesting finds. I can't wait to see what archaeology discovers next TBH.
April 3, 2019
An excellent summary of the current debate around the ethnicity and archaeology of the Celtic races. The author weaves a narrative utilising the very latest genetic research to present a picture that is as full as history, archaeology, literature and DNA analysis can currently make it. It is far from a dry read, and the author presents complex and potentially dry information with real passion and interest. Highly recommended, both to the general reader, and anyone currently navigating the field of Celtic studies who would like a good up-to-date overview of the argument on all sides of the Celticity debate.
March 31, 2025
Excellent, thought-provoking book that provides a good jumping off point for the questions raised by linguistics and archaeogenetics when it comes to uncovering the origins of 'Celtic' peoples, and the answers that historians are only starting to uncover. The Greek and Roman sources, with all their inaccuracies, and the longstanding invasion theories are dealt with pretty emphatically. While the book doesn't hold the answers to what ideas should replace them, it uncovers a far more complex history of human migration and cultural exchange than has been historically accepted.
Fascinating stuff!
Fascinating stuff!
May 2, 2018
A simply brilliant investigation of the Celts and their influence upon European history. Once again, Manco weaves together linguistic, genetic, and archaeological data in a superb manner. A significant improvement over her prior work (Ancestral Journeys: The Peopling of Europe from the First Ventures to the Vikings) is the addition of an overview at the end of each chapter plus strategic and pertinent inserts explaining, in simple easy to understand terms, the DNA evidence supporting her conclusions.
July 24, 2020
Manco follows the Celts through the ages, tracing their origins, through archeology reviewing their bones, relics, languages and migrations comparing the ancient scribes with current technology of DNA from human remains to track their movements. This work refutes the accepted conclusions that Jutes, Angles and Saxons stormed Britain massacring the Celts, rather the movement went both ways through trade or driven by weather changes as well as social forces.
I found the conclusions refreshing based on the new technology.
Enjoyed reading what could have been a boring subject.
I found the conclusions refreshing based on the new technology.
Enjoyed reading what could have been a boring subject.
August 14, 2022
First half is rip roaring fun stacked with fascinating archaeological and linguistic details and analysis. Does an exceptional job of painting a picture of a colorful collage of different branches of European ancestry. Wonderful until the closing line: “A singer 4000 years ago could only be heard only as far as their voice would carry them. Today a song can wing its way around the world.” I mean c’mon. Someone has to save the writer from being too much of a writer.
September 30, 2020
A very enjoyable read for Celts
An enjoyable read, at once educational and almost novel-like in parts. Although some may find it a little technical in parts along with the many, difficult to pronounce Celtic names the author manages to make the book appealing to a general audience. I enjoyed the read and would recommend it to anyone with an interest in Celtic culture.
An enjoyable read, at once educational and almost novel-like in parts. Although some may find it a little technical in parts along with the many, difficult to pronounce Celtic names the author manages to make the book appealing to a general audience. I enjoyed the read and would recommend it to anyone with an interest in Celtic culture.
March 22, 2017
Good presentation of the complexities involved in ascribing identities to populations of bronze age Europe. Genetics and linguistics seems solid based on my understanding. In general, every time the author presented a viewpoint that I didn't find valid the author also concluded it was not valid, citing evidenced-based reasons.
I wasn't into the last half of the book about medieval Ireland and its folklore but that's just me. It's fair to include given the topic.
I wasn't into the last half of the book about medieval Ireland and its folklore but that's just me. It's fair to include given the topic.
June 5, 2021
Learned some things but also felt I was an idiot for not understanding quite a bit of the linguistic info she had in there. She summarized every chapter and I feel I should have just read those and called it a day.
July 14, 2017
2.5...Please see my review at Celtic Scholar's Reviews and Opinions
September 14, 2021
I couldn't put this down. So well written and researched.
October 31, 2023
Very interesting about the migration and the dna of the Celts.
August 13, 2025
A decent introduction to DNA based evidence on the formation, expansion and survival of the Celtic world. A bit too shallow for my taste.
July 26, 2018
This book is filled with incredible information about the history of the Celtic-speaking peoples.
Unfortunately, this book is very poorly written and generally reads like a book edited by a strict grammarian with little sense of style. Additionally, the Y-DNA information is simply dumped into boxes on random pages with very little explanation after the initial occurrance in Chapter 1. As a basic introduction to Celtic history this book has some appeal and the author deserves credit for attempting to weave together massive amounts of genetic, archaeological, literary, and historical data. But the language used throughout the book makes it an irritating read.
Paragraphs often shift topics, voice, and style halfway through. A typical example is on page 148:
"Caesar's first action was to destroy the bridge across the Rhône at Geneva. The Romans have so often been credited with bringing a transport infrastructure to the Celtic lands that it needs to be said that a system of roads and bridges already existed in Gaul. Caesar encountered roads in Britain too. In Ireland, which was never engulfed by the Roman empire, the early medieval law texts made provisions for public roads. What Roman civil engineers achieved was a system of stone bridges and straight, metalled roads built to withstand heavybtraffic. Legions on the march could travel at speed along these imperial arteries."
The paragraph is supposed to describe Julius Caesar's conquest of Gaul, yet it jumps around geographically as well as chronologically and topically. The author is apparently distracted by the concept "road," and, instead of telling the reader more about Caesar's tactics against the Helvii, goes off an immediate tangents that have nothing to do with the conquest of Gaul.
This bizarre, meandering writing style pervades the entire book, which reads as if the author lacked logical thought patterns. I'm not sure if this is how the author intended to write, or if this is the result of poor editing (other books published by Thames & Hudson suffer from poor English as well).
I'm guessing that the simple grammar, short, choppy sentences, and nearly complete lack of embedded clause structure is on purpose. But this style makes the content harder, not easier, to read. If a first year university student in my academic writing class were to write in such a way, I would return the manuscript with instructions to stick to a single topic per paragraph, to use transitional phrases between paragraphs, and use many, many more gerunds and past participial phrases at the start of sentences.
It's a shame, but despite the valuable information on Celtic history, I cannot recommend this book.
Unfortunately, this book is very poorly written and generally reads like a book edited by a strict grammarian with little sense of style. Additionally, the Y-DNA information is simply dumped into boxes on random pages with very little explanation after the initial occurrance in Chapter 1. As a basic introduction to Celtic history this book has some appeal and the author deserves credit for attempting to weave together massive amounts of genetic, archaeological, literary, and historical data. But the language used throughout the book makes it an irritating read.
Paragraphs often shift topics, voice, and style halfway through. A typical example is on page 148:
"Caesar's first action was to destroy the bridge across the Rhône at Geneva. The Romans have so often been credited with bringing a transport infrastructure to the Celtic lands that it needs to be said that a system of roads and bridges already existed in Gaul. Caesar encountered roads in Britain too. In Ireland, which was never engulfed by the Roman empire, the early medieval law texts made provisions for public roads. What Roman civil engineers achieved was a system of stone bridges and straight, metalled roads built to withstand heavybtraffic. Legions on the march could travel at speed along these imperial arteries."
The paragraph is supposed to describe Julius Caesar's conquest of Gaul, yet it jumps around geographically as well as chronologically and topically. The author is apparently distracted by the concept "road," and, instead of telling the reader more about Caesar's tactics against the Helvii, goes off an immediate tangents that have nothing to do with the conquest of Gaul.
This bizarre, meandering writing style pervades the entire book, which reads as if the author lacked logical thought patterns. I'm not sure if this is how the author intended to write, or if this is the result of poor editing (other books published by Thames & Hudson suffer from poor English as well).
I'm guessing that the simple grammar, short, choppy sentences, and nearly complete lack of embedded clause structure is on purpose. But this style makes the content harder, not easier, to read. If a first year university student in my academic writing class were to write in such a way, I would return the manuscript with instructions to stick to a single topic per paragraph, to use transitional phrases between paragraphs, and use many, many more gerunds and past participial phrases at the start of sentences.
It's a shame, but despite the valuable information on Celtic history, I cannot recommend this book.
February 15, 2021
A broad history of Celtic culture, supported by genealogical evidence. Starting with post Celtic literature, leading to potential proto-celts, examinations of artefacts throughout Europe, the Hallstatt, La Tenè, expansion, decline, and survival of the Celts.
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