Early Irish Myths and Sagas

by Anonymous and Various

Book Overview

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 of heroic battles, intense love and warrior ideals, in which the otherworld is explored and men mingle freely with the gods. From the vivid adventures of the great Celtic hero Cu Chulaind, to the stunning "Exile of the Sons of Uisliu"--a tale of treachery,...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: B005WZ0RHE
• ISBN13: 9780140443974
• Release Date: March 1982
• Publisher: Penguin Group
• Length: 288 Pages
• Weight: 0.40 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 5.1" x 7.8"
• Age Range: 18 years and up
• Grade Range: Postsecondary and higher

Customer Reviews

Irish Myths and Sagas

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

I needed this book for an adult ed course. Opened a new door in literature

Best of its kind for its size

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.

Solid, Readable Translation; Interesting Selection of Tales

When people new to ancient Irish tales ask for recommendations, I usually suggest Thomas Kinsella's translation of the Ta/in, the central saga of the Ulster cycle, a collection of medieval tales about the ancient heroes of northeastern Ireland. I also recommend this inexpensive, well-done collection of tales, most of which also concern the characters found in the Ta/in. Gantz's translations are reliable and readable. His opening commentary, though short, is solid. He also includes several tales--notably "The Dream of Oengus" and the "Cattle Raid of Froech"--not available elsewhere. For further commentary, add _Celtic Heritage_ by Alwyn and Brinley Rees to your shopping cart.

An excellent choice for anyone interested in mythology.

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.