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Book Review: King of the Celts - Arthurian Legends and Celtic Tradition by Jean Markale, translated by Christine Hauch, Published by Simon & Schuster
French historian, Jean Markale is an academic, a prolific author of 45 books of well researched ancient data. The Celtic era is his forte. Though he writes about complex subjects, his work is easy to read and very enjoyable. The introduction to this book is a tour de force in truth -v- fiction, and some describe his beliefs as speculative, but he covers objectivity and more in the first few pages of this book.
From Roman Britain to the dark ages, we are taken on an interesting story based on a real life fifth century English warrior hero who fought the Saxons. Some chapter headings: Erec et Enide; Le Chevalier a La Charrett; Le Chevalier au Lion; Le Lai de Tyrolet; Perceval; Lancelot; Merlin; Morgan; Holy Grail; King Arthur; Perlesvaux; Jauffre; Meriadeuc; the Plantagenets, John of Salisbury; Glastonbury Abbey; courtly love, politics, social mores, etc.
Passages rich with wonder and poetic beauty, knightly valour and honouring chivalry. Why do I love Jean Markale? Challenging, stretching, I’m hungry for more depth as I peer through the dark glass of the past, this author brings these enigmatic stories to light!
Book Reviewer: Wendy Stokes
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