The Discovery of Middle Earth: Mapping the Lost World of the Celts Hardcover – Illustrated, November 4, 2013

Just got the book a week ago, and have been flipping through it, reading several pages here and there. I believe the book will be a good companion. Looking forward to more. This I believe is the US edition; the British edition does under a different name but, of course, same author. The texts in either one are identical / titles different. Enjoy!

Robb's theory is that Iron Age Celts used geometry to organize their settlements and spiritual centers along sun solstice angles. His argument is plausible. Whether you buy into it or not, the history--especially the material that concerns the Druids--is fascinating. This book appears to be written for the general-interest reader. It will be interesting to revisit this topic after some scholarly debate has further shaped the theory.The writing is dense at times, but hey--the book is about history, math and surveying. Stick with it. I did and I don't regret it.Warning: If you buy the Kindle edition, the maps and illustrations will be difficult to view. It's not a huge deal, but I like maps. I kind of wish I'd bought the paper version. In fairness to the Kindle, I'm middle aged and use reading glasses. Still, I had to stack up two pairs at once to see the maps.

Very interesting text that brings home that the Celts were not the ignorant aboriginals they are regarded by many. And Britain was very fortunate that the Roman momentum had partly played out when they were invaded by the Roman legions, thus leaving much of the Celtic structure -- culture, trade, and living -- in place. The author's take on road systems has ben criticized and readers should be aware of this.

If you're looking for a book that lays out a strong case for the Celts aligning their cities along the paths of the summer and winter sun, I think you'll be disappointed. Robb wanders quite a bit, and by about page 200, seems to draw arbitrary lines all over the map.If, on the other hand, you're looking for a narrative of an historian's search for alignments of Celtic cities, filled with evidence and notes, and also filled with moments of personal doubts and excitement, I think you'll like this book. Robb is oblique in a Celtic way, fluidly moving between formal arguments and dream-like coincidences.This book wasn't what I was looking for, but I'm glad I read it. I enjoyed it as a sort of traveler's journal of a very intriguing land.

Brilliantly thought provoking examination of the science of the celts and druids , from a historian and literary writer on france and French literature.Having read this while in france I immediately set out to walk part of the heraklean way , plot my GPS grids and drew my map for further exploration. A whole new field of interest has opened up !

Robb is a thorough researcher of facts then writes these intriguing and fascinating books.BUT, what editor didn't notice these maps that don't show what the text say they do.Still, the writer is admirable. I hope to read all his books.

All those interested in the culture of the Celts should not miss this book.Robb has gathered together in one work more evidence from the culture of the Celts than in any other I have examined. His analysis comes from significant work in this field and should not be casually dismissed.I feel that the review by Ian Morris (NYTimes web site) is superficial, though I hasten to say that I respect Ian's experience in the field. Likewise, Robb's work is significant in that it approaches the topic directly and personally and must be so respected.I find the most interesting aspect of this book to be Robb's description of the technical elements of the Celtic culture, along with his assumptions about the abilities of the Druids. Of particular interest is his partitioning the Celtic culture from the Druid overlay. I cannot recall seeing in any other work the idea that Celts existed in Germany but the Druids did not. Another new (to me) idea is that the Celtic culture may have begun in the far west of Europe and spread eastward. This, if substantiated, could open a new area of discussion around the issue of East (Roman expansionism) versus West (defense of homeland) ideals.There are few books that break as much ground for new arenas of thought and discussion as this one.I personally enjoyed more than one laugh at the moments of humor in the book. A very enjoyable read!

I hoped for more, but with no written language there is not the depth that I yearned for, with this mysterious peoples. What I loved was how much Graham was able to elisit from the physical traces, and his ability to separate the Roman claims ( those that did leave a written story ) from what was the more likely presentation, with ( what seems "literally" ) all due consideration...the only drag to the text. I would recommend this book to any student of the past, and anyone who has an interest in detail about such an obscure people.

Badly written so at first it seems cranky nonsense, but the wealth of evidence plus contemporary accounts win one over to a fascinating window into early history.

very interesting

Ce nouveau livre reprend en son début le texte d'un autre, L'idée que 'milieu' doit être ajouté à mediolanum comme toponyme d'un réseau est intéressante, par contre les considérations sur le soleil et la lune ne sont d'aucune utilité en géographie sacrée où l'on a besoin de repères fixes, d'où des aberrations au propre et au figuré.La liste des mediolanum est la même quelque soit l'auteur,c'est une vraie tarte à la crême, alors qu'il en existe beaucoup d'autres. Les quelques uns qui sont retenus ne permettent pas de mettre en évidence un réseau fiable, surtout si l'on tend des lignes de plusieurs centaines de kilomètres.Le récit est par contre excellent, mais trop de poésie altère la vérité archéologique.

bought as a gift ...recipient says aok

As described and rapid service