Product Description
The title Mabinogi refers to the first four stories in this collection of tales from Welsh tradition. They are best known as the "Four Branches of the Mabinogi," and comprise the tales of Pwyll, Branwen, Manawydan, and Math. The remaining stories also spring from the same tree, and together they form a collection that comprises the core of the ancient Welsh mythological cycle. They are also among the best the medieval Celtic literature has to offer.
In the first thoroughly revised edition and translation of this world classic since Lady Charlotte Guest's famous Mabinogion went out of print, Mr. Ford has endeavored to present a scholarly document in readable, modern English. Basing his criteria on the latest scholarship in myth, he includes only those stories that have remained unadulterated by the influence of the French Arthurian romances. These are, in addition to the "Four Branches," the tale of "Kulhwch and Olwen," which is rooted in the mythological origins of Arthur, seen here in his role of divine hunter in pursuit of the swine-god; "Lludd and Lleuelis," which reaches beyond its immediate Celtic sources into ancient Indo-European ideologies; and the long unavailable "Tale of Taliesin," which offers insights into Celtic concepts of the archetypal poet-seer and the acquisition of Divine Wisdom. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (15)

A scholarly yet entertaining translation
The Mabinogi is a collection of translated Welsh tales from the White Book of Rhydderch (1300-1325 CE), the Red Book of Hergest(1375-1425 CE) and the manuscript National Library of Wales MS. 6209E (1600-1700 CE). It consists of four "branches", or collections of stories; the author also included"The Tale of Gwion Bach", "The Tale of Taliesin", and Cad Goddeu.The tales are of unknown authorship and age.Reading these stories provides insight into medieval Welsh storytelling, cultural traditions, and mythology.

The author of this translation makes the reader well aware that much about these stories remains unclear.He provides a lengthy (and sometimes daunting) introduction, which explains the occasionally controversial background of the tales.The author recognized that there is a paucity of accurate translations of Welsh mythology. He sought to highlight the academic and historical research conducted of the tales, and left out the "romanticized" stories.The reader is warned about the (usually irrational) assimilation of Judeo-Christian traditions into Irish and Welsh mythological texts.Celtic mythology is widely believed to have been an oral tradition until it was written down centuries later, presumably by Christian scribes. This sometimes colors the story, but it is obvious when it happens. In the Introduction, the author seeks to correlate the tales with Celtic deities, and stories from other Celtic regions such as Ireland.This introduction supports the hypothesis of an Indo-European society and religious structure.

Through studies of various manuscripts concerning Taliesin, the author hypothesizes that there are perhaps two Taliesins- a genuine "historical" poet, and a legendary shape-shifter.He explains that the creation of Celtic poetry had magical and spiritual overtones, and shape-shifting or "shamanism" was practiced by poets. Taliesin claims divine properties, such as his birth from the elements at the beginning of time, the knowledge of the supernatural and otherworld, and intensive wisdom ["the literal meaning of drui, derwydd `druid', imbas, cyfarwydd, and other words associated with the scope of poetic activities among the Celts" (pg 19)].The Book of Taliesin contains a poem, Cad Goddeu, translated in this book, which illustrates the magical nature of trees.

The challenges of reading this book were worth the effort and I recommend reading it.The author provided a much-needed pronunciation guide of Welsh, and I found myself referring to this and writing down the English equivalences in the text.The stories are entertaining and humorous. Though some of the conversational language is archaic, the themes of the stories are timeless- the "battle of the sexes", the jealous step-mother, the importance of sexual faithfulness, unlikely circumstances needed for the death of a hero, and debilitating lust. The tales describe beliefs important to the Celts- the equine goddess who possesses a symbol of unending fertility and prosperity, the divine hunter, the sacredness of nighttime and a year-and-a-day, the chaste friend, the thin veil between this world and the Otherworld, magical shape-shifting, rebirth, the magic of the sea, and sacred animals and trees.

The Mabinogion and Other Welsh Tales
I'm reading the Mabinogion not only for its fascinating stories, but also for a group that is studying the Mabinogion and the meaning behind the stories and events in the stories. Ford provided an excellent translation of the Welsh, without added embelishments,and remains true to the original text. His comments before each of the branches of the Mabinogion are helpful in what to look for in the story you are about to read. I've read other translations of the Mabinogion, and this is by far the best.

A clear and loyal translation
Ford's translation stays true to the Middle Welsh, and his introduction is informative to anyone interested in familiarizing themselves with medieval Welsh literature.I was surprised and a bit disappointed to see that his introduction and bibliography of recommended readings had not been updated since the initial publication of this text in the 1970s.Significant work has been done in this field since then, and it would be nice to see it referenced.

Comparing this ed. to Davies' 2008 Oxford UP ed.
How does the handsomely bound new rendering by Sioned Davies, Chair in Welsh at Cardiff, compare with the standard version often used and widely praised, Harvard professor Ford's? I consulted my 1977 copy as Ford's new printing has not yet been published. Will his "30th Anniversary" U of California paperback reissued edition find itself in a dead heat with Davies? The race may prove a photo finish!

I compared their translations of a favorite passage of mine early on in the First Branch, Pwyll's tale. Arawn's just been reunited with his queen after the year's test by unwitting yet steadfast doppelganger Pwyll. She wonders, post-coitally after a long year's lapse, why it's been so long since her husband made love with her.

Here's Ford (1977 ed., p. 41) first at the starting line.

"Shame on me," she said, "if from the time we went between the sheets there was even pleasure or talk between us or even your facing me-- much less anything more than that-- for the past year!"

And he thought, "Dear Lord God, it was a unique man, with strong and unwavering friendship that I got for a companion." And then he said to his wife, "Lady," he said, "don't blame me. I swear to God," he said, "I haven't slept with you since a year from last night nor have I lain with you."

And he told her the entire adventure.

"I confess to God," she said, "as far as fighting temptations of the flesh and keeping true to you goes, you had a solid hold on a fellow."

"Lady," he said, "that's just what I was thinking while I was silent with you."

"That was only natural," she answered.

--You can feel the hesitant insertion of the teller's dramatic pauses implied with the "saids." These intensify rhythms of the poet's strong, confident prose. A few contractions and the well-placed dashes quicken the dialogue's pace. The language avoids the flowery exactitude and chivalric diction that marked Gwyn and Thomas Jones' 1949 Everyman edition. But, neither does Ford choose an entirely modern register. He keeps a slightly elevated style while emphasizing verve and a gently sophisticated voice for the couple.

--Compare and contrast Davies (2008 ed., p. 7). As in other pages I spot-checked, the two professors run neck and neck and overlap considerably-- a sign of how both scholars channel what Ford calls the "restraint" in this passage as well as its humor and tension.

"Shame on me," she said, "if there has been between us for the past year, from the time we were wrapped up in the bedclothes, either pleasure or conversation, or have you turned your face to me, let alone anything more than that!"

And then he thought, "Dear Lord God," he said, "I had a friend whose loyalty was steadfast and secure." And then he said to his wife, "Lady," he said, "do not blame me. Between me and God," he said, "I have neither slept nor lain down with you for the past year."

And then he told her the whole story.

"I confess to God," she said, "you struck a firm bargain for your friend to have fought off the temptations of the flesh and kept his word to you."

"Lady," he said, "those were my very thoughts while I was silent just now."

"No wonder!" she said.

--Davies in her preface emphasizes the "performative" qualities in her edition. In this passage, she appears to let the lines go longer rather than reining them in to English syntax. They drift away slightly before coming back to us. Perhaps this echo demonstrates Davies' own scholarship in the medieval Welsh interplay between orality and literacy. The author of two books on the Mabinogi, she stresses the "interactive" nature of the manuscript to be read aloud for the "acoustic dimension" embedded in the Welsh texts and through alliteration, tone, and beat, she tries to give us a feel for this tempo, albeit imperfectly conveyed perforce into our clunkier English.

--Both Davies and Ford include the four branches: Pwyll, Branwen, Manawydan, and Math. Both include Lludd & Llueyls. But, reflecting textual differences in the original manuscript anthologies, they also differ. Ford's tales attributed to Gwion Bach & Taliesin, Culhwch & Olwen, and his appendix on Cad Goddeu do not appear in Davies. She provides Peredur, The Dream of the Emperor Maxen, The Lady of the Well, Geraint, and Rhonawby's Dream.

--Both editors explain their textual choices and open with prefaces. They both add glossaries, pronunciation guides, and bibliographies. Ford situates the tales in Indo-European contexts and Davies delves into their delivery as recited stories. Ford begins each tale with a short introduction; Davies adds explanatory notes in a detailed appendix, keyed to asterisks in the body of the text. Davies keys her "Index of Personal Names" to pages in the text while Ford does not. For study and teaching, it looks like the competition may result in a dignified and spirited draw. Most serious readers doubtless will want to consult, as I have, both fine efforts side-by-side.

(This review's, fittingly, also at the Davies listing on Amazon US. May both translations flourish.)

Excellent Translation
Patrick Ford's translation is the best that I've read. It appears to be the most accurate translation and the easiest to read and understand.Anyone who is interested in Welsh mythology or mythology in general should read this book.The tales themselves are interesting and entertaining.They give us a great glimpse into the world of the ancient Welsh people. ... Read more

Product Description
This enthralling anthology of Irish legends and tales of the occult is composed of three classic collections--"The Celtic Twilight, The Secret Rose", and "Stories of Red Hanrahan"--and reflects Ireland's greatest poet's deep and abiding interest in preserving and celebrating Irish history and culture. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

A Fascinating Collection from Ireland's Mythical Tradition.
_Mythologies_ by Irish national poet, William Butler Yeats, is a fascinating collection from the writings of Yeats featuring various stories and legends which reveal Ireland's mythical and spiritual tradition.W. B. Yeats was regarded as Ireland's greatest poet and won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1923.But, Yeats was also an occultist who belonged to the secret society, the Golden Dawn, as well as an Irish nationalist and promoter of the Celtic renaissance.This book is a very interesting collection from his writings featuring tales of Gaelic magic, fairies, demons, curses, banshees, ghosts, and mysticism.It represents an excellent introduction to the writings of Yeats and to his mystical thought.

The first section of this book contains extracts from _The Celtic Twilight_, first published in 1893.There are in total forty separate tales presented from _The Celtic Twilight_.These include stories featuring fairies and ghosts and various elements of Irish folklore.Yeats states that most of the tales in this book were told to him by Paddy Flynn, an old Irishman.In particular, Yeats is influenced by the poetry of Dante, as he traces out the role of the afterlife in heaven, hell, and purgatory for souls trapped between the two.Yeats also emphasizes the roles of the Sidhe, fairies, and banshees.

The second section of this book contains extracts from _The Secret Rose_ published in 1897 along with _The Stories of Red Hanrahan_ and _Rosa Alchemica_._The Secret Rose_ contains nine separate chapters, many of them featuring bizarre tales including a tale of crucifixion._The Stories of Red Hanrahan_, emphasizing a schoolmaster and a mysterious game of cards, rewritten with the help of Lady Gregory in 1907, contains six tales.

The next section of the book contains the following parts:_Rosa Alchemica_, _The Tables of the Law_, and _The Adoration of the Magi_, published in 1897.These include discussions of alchemy and the occult as well as Yeats' discussion of Christianity.Finally, the book ends with extracts from _Per Amica Silentia Lunae_, published in 1917.This section includes five chapters.Mention is made of various alchemical and occult traditions including mention of the medieval mystic Joachim of Fiore who proposed three world ages, an Age of the Father, an Age of the Son, and an Age of the Holy Ghost.Throughout these sections the occult development of Yeats can be seen as he deals with various occult figures who further his spiritual understanding.

This book provides an excellent introduction to the writings of W. B. Yeats, Irish national poet and occultist.The book contains important extracts from his beautiful writings which serve to illuminate various components of the Irish/Celtic tradition.

Irish lore and legends
In this volume you get The Celtic Twilight (1893), 34 Irish stories about the supernatural, where little people, faeries, ghosts (some of them headless) abound; most of them have been collected from the people who remember this old lore, but a few of them, like A Voice, and The Old Town, are from Yeats' own experience.
The second part is The Secret Rose (1897), 9 legends that are perhaps my favorite section of this book, with stories like The Wisdom of the King, of a lonely hero who as a baby was given a "grey as the mist" drop of hawk crone blood, and whose hair was mixed with feathers.
Stories of Red Hanrahan (1897 and rewritten in 1907), is the life and death of a wandering poet, "the learned man and the great songmaker", which includes a number of poems.

Rosa Alchemica, Tables of the Law, and The Adoration of the Magi (1897) are on esoteric mysticism; glimpses into heaven and hell.
The final part is Per Amica Silentia Lunae (1917), essays on spiritualism, Christianity, poetry and its writers, and more.
Written with much beauty by the man many consider to be Ireland's greatest poet (and Nobel Prize for Literature in 1923), this unique collection of tales will enchant anyone interested in Irish history and its legends; legends whichwill, like the little creatures, last "until God shall burn up the world with a kiss". ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Transfixed
This book was about traditional story tellers using the English language and what happened to them relative to their counterparts in the Irish tradition.It casts a cold eye on ideas about the relationships betweenfolklore collectors and their collaborators.It is very worthwhile foranyone interested in the impact of selective attention on performers. ... Read more

Product Description
In a world unlike any other, transcending time and place, two strangers come together in a love that lasts all eternity. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (9)

absorbing romantic fantasy
On Earth, the Sylvan race has just about vanished with only a hint of blood surfacing in a rare human child. Mac Lir, the God who formed the Sylvan elves, believes one of his peers Tuawatha is behind the eradication of his children. Mac Lir sees the same genocide that occurred on Earth beginning to happen on the planet Tylana. Mac Lir sets in motion a plan to save his children. An Earth human child with Sylvan blood will bind her soul with the Tylana Sylvan high priest to forge a new and stronger race.

Widow Korrene Greenwood begins writing an epic novel about the Sylvan Elves. Her hero is Rendolin, who seems to be haunting her dreams. Korrene worries that she is losing her mind as she feels Rendolin is stalking her. She decides to destroy her manuscript but he manages to stop her by persuading her that her actions would end his world. They begin to adopt her manuscript's main story line to forge a plan to save the elves of Tylana, but will she accept the fate that Mac Lir has in store for her?

THE BINDING is an absorbing romantic fantasy. The main plot is exciting because readers will believe in the world of elves. Rendolin is a classic hero who will leave readers panting for a taste of his magical essence. Kory does not come across as a world savior as she seems to struggle with depression and loneliness and that makes her all the more ral to the audience. The star-species' relationship is beautifully told and the war of survival is exciting. Similar in respect to the Never Ending Story, PhyllisAnn Welsh provides an entertaining opening installment to the Sylvan War Saga.

Harriet Klausner

Elves!Sexy Elves!
Welsh has created a beautiful world in which Elves live and love!

Rendolin, the high priest of the Sea Elves of Tylana, must save his people from the evil god, Tuwatha.The problem is, the only way he can do that is by Binding (like getting married) to a human woman.And not just any human woman -- one from a whole other world!Earth!

Kory is a fantasy writer who thinks the hero of her story, Rendolin, is coming to life.Of course, it scares her to death, and so she tries to get rid of him by destoying her book.Only thing is, that makes him determined to stop her.So he takes her back to his world and tells her she has to Bind to him.It's the only way the silvan race will survive.

This story is fun and very romantic.Ms. Welsh has a way with descriptions and her characters -- they just seem to come alive!

If you like sexy elves, you're gonna love this book!

Very highly recommended
In THE BINDING, PhyllisAnn Welch creates a fantasy in which the reader longs to linger, delighting in this elven world. PhyllisAnn's humor, romance, and originality weave a lively plot that will leave the reader enamored with the magical world of Tylana, where gods fight to protect their children.

The distinction between the imaginary world and the world of the mundane becomes blurred when Korrene Greenwood encounters the hero of her work-in-progress standing in her tiny efficiency kitchen. Kory is convinced that she's gone crazy, even when high priest Rendolin transports her to her own world, a world she believes she created. But magic is afoot, and Kory hasn't begun to understand the powers that will bind her to the incredibly sexy Ren.

Elves have disappeared from earth, and the only remnants of them live on in story and song. Yet occasionally, a drop of Silvan blood surfaces in one such as Korry. To prevent the same fate befalling the elves of Tylana as befell the Earthan Elves, the human Korry and the elf Ren must be bound together through elven magic.

The Binding is more than a marriage, for it unites the souls of those bound through eternity. And the binding of a human to an elf offends those of the Silvan blood. More than an issue of pride, it is an issue of survival. But Ren's brother and many of his followers would rather see the human dead than to see her blood polluting their own.

PhyllisAnn's magical tale of love and fantasy weaves powerful magic. The first book of a trilogy, THE BINDING will have fantasy fans clamoring for the sequel.

Ugh, what a waste of money
Why did I waste my money on this??The CD-ROM didn't really work right, and when I did get it to work, the book was horrible.The writing was very poor, there was no character development, and I couldn't even get past the half way point.Please don't waste your money too!!

A romantic fantasy of the first order!
PhyllisAnn Welsh creates a luminous, charming world of elves who float through walls and cast spells on the very human heroine. Kori thinks she's going crazy when the hero of her romance novel appears in the tantalizingflesh and whisks her to Sasheena, the place Kori thought she created out ofher own brain cells. Ms. Welsh subtly points out the absurdity of racialprejudice when many Sasheena inhabitants object to the proposed Binding oftheir spiritual ruler with a human. This is a story that any fan or romanceor fantasy can truly enjoy. Delicious! ... Read more

Product Description
This is the story of Dragons and Pembrokes and Cardigans. For two thousand years this tale has been guarded and passed from second daughter to second daughter. Now the line of descent has ended. The last of this line, an enchantress herself, has passed the secret to me with the charter to tell all about the dragons of Wales and how the Pembroke and Cardigan Welsh Corgis came into being. ... Read more

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Myth, legend, and folklore have been entrenched in children's literature for several centuries and continue to be popular. Some of the most ancient traditional tales still extant come from the Celtic cultures of France and the British Isles, whose languages are among the oldest in Europe. Among these tales are four native Welsh legends collectively known as the Mabinogi, which were first translated into English in 1845 by Lady Charlotte Guest. Numerous children's books have been based on the Mabinogi since then, and many have received awards and critical acclaim. This book is a chronological study of how authors have adapted Welsh myth for children. Some of the works discussed include Sidney Lanier's The Boy's Mabinogion (1881), Alan Garner's The Owl Service (1967), which won the Carnegie Medal, and Lloyd Alexander's Chronicles of Prydain, the final volume of which received the ALA's Newbery Award for outstanding children's book. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

A comprehensive review of Welsh myths adapted for children
White, Donna.A Century of Welsh Myth in Children's Literature. Jefferson, N.C.: Greenwood, 1998.hardcover.pp. 162ISBN:0-313-30570-6.

In her book A Century of Welsh Myth in Children's Literature, Donna White contends, "Some of the best children's fantasy available is based on Welsh traditional literature" (142).Given the authors she chooses to examine, her argument is persuasive.Newbery Medal winners Lloyd Alexanderand Susan Cooper, Guardian Award and Carnegie Medal recipient Alan Garner, and Tir na n-Og Award recipients Susan Cooper, Frances Thomas, and Jenny Nimmo all received recognition for their fiction based on Welsh legends.

"Although I am not the first person to have examined the influence of Welsh traditional literature on modern fantasy, I am the first to look at the material historically and chronologically as children's literature," saysWhite.Her approach can be used as a companion piece to the best-known work on the subject, C. W. Sullivan's Welsh Celtic Myth in Modern Fantasy (1989) as well as to Kath Filmer-Davies's Fantasy Fiction and Welsh Myth: Tales of Belonging (1996).The studies by Sullivan, Filmer-Davies, and White overlapin coverage, but White's study of the techniques by which authors integrate the myths into audience-specific writings differs from Sullivan's research into the thematic influences on fantasy and Filmer-Davies's critique of themes within fantasy.White's approach is unique in both the scope of workscovered and her focus on literature for children and young adults.

Noting the obstacles to incorporating myths originally intended for an adult audience into children's literature, White traces the evolution of the original Welsh tales, first into translations and re-tellings intended for a younger audience (1881 - 1988) and then into fiction drawing upon differentelements of the original lore (1830 - 1990).She synopsizes each of the Four Branches of the Mabinogi in her Introduction, enabling the reader to derive meaning from references throughout the text without scurrying off to find thenearest translation of the myths.This section also introduces the seminal work by Lady Charlotte Guest.An Englishwoman who taught herself medieval Welsh, Lady Guest published the first complete English translation of the myths in a seven-volume set (1838 -1845).Along with the Four Branches, Lady Guest included stories from the Red Book of Hergest and the Book of Taliesin.These tales together comprise The Mabinogion, while the Four Branches alone are known as The Mabinogi.Among the titles White discusses are Welsh author Kenneth Morris's Book of the Three Dragons (1930), the first attempt to fictionalize the Mabinogi in children's literature, Alan Garner's The Owl Service and Lloyd Alexander's Chronicles of Prydain, thoroughly examining the influence of the Mabinogi onthese gifted writers and explaining their influence on later authors.A section on "The Mabinogi in Fiction, 1970-1992," discusses works by Susan Cooper, Nancy Bond, Madeleine L'Engle, Frances Thomas, Louise Lawrence, Clare Cooper, Joan Aiken, Grace Chetwin, and Jenny Nimmo.Several pages are devoted to Susan Cooper's The Dark is Rising sequence (1966-1977). Close tohalf of this chapter is dedicated to the works of Jenny Nimmo, including The Snow Spider (1986), Emlyn's Moon (1987) and The Chestnut Soldier (1989).

White's writing has many strengths; particularly interesting is her explanation for the fits and starts by which Welsh myth has proven influential.While many other countries embraced their folklore, Welsh authors never seemed to celebrate the rich wonder inherent in their lore that would lend it so readily to stories for young people.White attributes this to Anglicization in Wales that suppressed the country's culture and language.With the popularity of Garner and Alexander, another hurdle appeared -- few writers dared comparison with these masters of YA fantasy.White's commentary investigates the very different approaches each took in incorporating Welsh myths into their stories.

Beyond her scholarship, what makes White's book so enjoyable are her willingness to challenge earlier scholars and her humorous, conversational style. Although it is not necessarily an integral element to successful criticism, I enjoyed her dry sense of humor.She often provides personal translations for Welsh phrases.

Overall, White is engaging and eminently readable.Due to the chronological nature of the text (and the early thumbnail sketches of the Mabinogi), the chapters may not be as effective when read independently, although readers familiar with the subject will certainly benefit.This excellent study belongs in public and college libraries and is recommended to scholars of both Welsh lore and children's literature. ... Read more

Product Description
The author studies the interaction between poetry and mythology. In discussing the poetry of Yeats he uses the term mythology in an extended sense as describing a process as well as an object. ... Read more

Product Description

Rachel Bromwich’s magisterial edition of Trioedd Ynys Prydein has long won its place as a classic of Celtic studies. This substantially revised edition shows the author’s continued mastery of the subject, and will be essential reading for Celticists and for those interested in early British history and literature and in Arthurian studies.

Early Welsh literature shows a predilection for classifying names, facts and precepts into triple groups, or triads. ‘The Triads of the Isle of Britain’ form a series of texts which commemorate the names of traditional heroes and heroines and which would have served as a catalogue of the names of these heroic figures. The names are grouped under various imprecise but complimentary epithets, which are often paralleled in the esoteric language of the medieval bards, who would have used the triads as an index of past history and legend.

This edition is based upon a full collation of the most important manuscripts, the earliest of which go back to the thirteenth century. The Welsh text is accompanied by English translations of each triad and extensive notes, and the volume includes four appendices which are also an important source of personal names. The Introduction discusses the significance of Trioedd Ynys Prydein in the history of Welsh literature and examines the traditional basis of the triads.

Customer Reviews (1)

A book for browsing
This week's pick: Trioedd Ynys Prydein: The Triads of the Island of Britain, edited by Rachel Bromwich. This is the long-awaited 3rd and final edition, published by the University of Wales Press in February 2006. At 768 pages and $145, this is neither light nor inexpensive reading, but for those interested in Welsh history and literature - and especially the bardic arts of poetry and storytelling - it is a treasure-trove, not only for the material in the triads themselves but for the extensive footnotes and commentary that goes with them.

The contents: Introduction (Manuscripts and Versions; Origin and Development of Trioedd Ynys Prydein) (99 pages); the Appendices (16 pages); Trioedd Ynys Prydein (Text and four appendices (The Names of the Island of Britain; The Descent of the Men of the North; The Thirteen Treasures of the Island of Britain; The Twenty-Four Knights of Arthur's Court)) (270 pages); Notes to Personal Names (46 pages); Abbreviations, Select Bibliography, and Index.

Triads were groupings of three similar things to serve as a memory aid, and the Welsh triads may have originally been a sort of file-card index for the bards and storytellers in the days of primarily oral transmission of their material. A couple of examples:

"2. Three Generous (Noble/Victorious) Men of the Island of Britain: Nudd the Generous, son of Senyllt; Mordaf the Generous, son of Serwan; Rhydderch the Generous, son of Tudwal Tudglyd. (And Arthur himself was more generous than the three.)"

"21. Three Diademed Battle-leaders of the Island of Britain: Drystan son of Tallwch, and Hueil son of Caw, and Cai son of Cynyr of the Fine Beard. And one was diademed above the three of them: that was Bedwyr son of Bedrawc."

Trioedd-Ynys-Prydein is a book for browsing, not for reading straight through. For those interested in Welsh sources, it will provide many happy hours. Highly recommended. ... Read more

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These myths draw you into the world of the Celts, and their history and traditions that have resonated through the ages to the present day. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Armchair Reading
An excellent way to become familiar with Celtic stories but a more avid Celtophile will not find their thirst quenched! ... Read more

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Classical Mythology in English Literature brings together a range of English versions of three classical myths, allowing readers for the first time to explore the ways in which they have been reinterpreted and reinvented by writers throughout history.

Beginning with a concise introduction to the principal Greco-Roman gods and heroes, the anthology then focuses on three stories: Orpheus, the great musician and his quest to free his wife Eurydice from death; Venus and Adonis, the love goddess and the beautiful youth she loved; and Pygmalion, the master sculptor who fell in love with his creation. Each section begins with the classical sources and ends with contemporary versions, showing how each myth has been used/abused or appropriated since its origins. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

I loved this book!
I first read this book when I was in college. I was browsing the library shelves for Medieval English literature when I came across some Arthurian texts. I had always loved King Arthur tales and Ashe's books piqued myinterest even further. Then, by accident I came upon The Mythology of theBritish Isles--it is such a wonderful book! Full of myths and their basisesin history, lots of color pictures and drawings, and plenty of easy toread, easy to follow references.

This book will appeal to both amateursand academics looking for more information on British Mythology. It goesbeyond Arthur, delving into lesser known tales (Like that of Vortigern, OldKing Cole, Prince Powyll of Powis and Rhiannon, etc.) and it gives richhistoric details to fill in the gaps. Very reader friendly. A must have forthose interested in these myths. For those familiar with Ashe's otherworks, this is true to form. A keeper! ... Read more

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Book II of The Silvan Wars Saga - Sworn enemies -- one awarrior with strength and beauty, the other a prince withdetermination and courage -- find themselves entangled in a web ofattraction that by all standards should be forbidden.Captain Feenixof Port Marcus had never been in such a tight spot before. PrinceL'Garn of Cragimore had never had the opportunity to examine a humanup close before. It was an explosive combination, and the god, MacLir, was orchestrating every move!

Each bent upon their own agenda, they vow to use the other in a dangerous game of information gathering. However, neither anticipates the fierce attraction that holds them enthralled, blurring the lines of passion and hatred, and drawing them together as unlikely allies in a battle for the Silvan race's survival. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

An Exceptional Imagination!
I love it when an author captures my attention with an exceptional imagination. Ms. Welsh does just that with THE CHOOSING Book II of the Silvan Wars Saga.

Feenix of Port Marcus is caught without her weapons not to mention she doesn't have on a stitch of clothing! Prince L'Garn of Cragimore totes her off to his home among the Night Elves to serve as his slave.

Feenix is none too happy with the god Mac Lir for choosing her to carry out his plans for the survival of all the Silvan races. She's a warrior, not a peacemaker!

Prince L'Garn is to be the next king of the Night Elves as soon as his grandfather kicks the bucket. But L'Garn isn't sure he's worthy of the throne since he has human blood flowing through his veins. However, unknown to L'Garn, Mac Lir forsees him as the instrument in forging an alliance between the Sea Elves and the Night Elves.

Can Feenix and L'Garn pause in their attempts to kill each other to do Mac Lir's bidding?

Ms. Welsh has created an entire new world and race of people. I marvel at the work and imagination used to create such believable people and places. You can almost reach out and touch anything in Ms. Welsh's world.

Now, by Mac Lir's right toe, when is book three coming? ;-)

descriptive romantic fantasy
Port Marcus Captain Feenix, personal guard to the High Priest of the Sea Elves, is irate with the god Mac Lir for turning her into a helpless dolphin once a month.That is why her sworn enemy, a Night Elf captured her.That Night Elf Prince L'Garn of Cragimore believes this acerbic human slave will enable him to learn about her strange species.L'Garn desperately desires control of the human half of his blood that fills him with shame and unwanted feelings that leave hum unsuitable to one day sit on the Night Elf throne.

However, already attracted to one another, these two proud obstinate individuals remain unaware that Mac Lir chose them as the means to save the Elven by bringing peace to the species.The evil god Tuatha plans to exterminate the elves from the seven Cella worlds with genocide complete on one, Earth, and this orb Tylana expected to be accomplished soon.

Book two of PhyllisAnn Welsh's the Sylvan Wars Saga, the CHOOSING, is a descriptive romantic fantasy that follows on the success of the first novel (see The BINDING) by retaining the complex genuine feeling realms as the adventure unfolds.Ms. Welsh makes Tylana seem real through her support cast who provide the depth so that the audience knows they are visiting a vivid locale that cannot be imaginary.L'Garn and Feenix are a delightfully strong duet whose respective essence stays consistent even when each one falls in love with the enemy or subject to the Sylvan creator Mac Lir matchmaking manipulations.The audience will choose this novel and series if they want a fun fantasy.

Harriet Klausner

More Sexy Elves!!
The second installment of Welsh's romantic fantasy about the race of Elves in her sensual world of Tylana is even better than the first!

Feenix of Port Marcus and captain of the guard of Sasheena, the home of the Sea Elves, is a human warrior woman with a mind of her own.And she happens to be without any clothes or weapons at the moment!What a time to be caught by the enemy!

Prince L'Garn is a ruler in name only.Half human and half elf, his curiosity gets the better of him when he comes across a very naked, very beautiful human woman throwing a temper tantrum on a deserted beach.She just might have the answers he has about humans and just what makes them tick.Besides, he could use a new slave ...

Once captured and taken as a slave into Cragimore, the ancient home of the Night Elves, Feenix realizes she is in the perfect position to learn the ins and outs of her enemy.If she survives, she can lead a company of Sea Elves back to Cragimore to destroy them once and for all.Except Mac Lir, the god who only lives to make her life miserable, wants her to convince the Night Elves to become the allies with their long hated cousins, the Sea Elves.And Feenix can't refuse.Especially when she realizes that a certain Night Elf isn't as bad as she had originally thought ...In fact, he is a terrific kisser!

L'Garn's only purpose in bringing the obnoxious and strong willed human into Cragimore is so he can study her and learn about his human nature.What he hadn't counted on was his attraction to the woman and her unpredicatbility.How could he objectively study her, if his heart keeps getting in the way?

Although a bit darker than Welsh's first book, The Choosing is full of emotion, conflict and down right fun.The conversations and confrontations between the hero and heroine continually bring a smile and chuckle.

Feenix is a sassy, strong heroine who can admit when she's wrong -- even if she needs some prodding from a dragon!

L'Garn is a tortured, sexy hero strong enough to handle Feenix's unpredicability, yet tender enough to pursuade her to his side. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Mythology of Middle-Earth
I found this shallow and brief in its analysis and written in an annoyingly choppy style. It didn't appear to have been produced by a serious scholar of folklore/mythology.

There have got to be better studies out there.

Good stuff, if you are starting your search here
This book is a good start for those interested in the basics of Tolkien's mythological influences.It is simply written and easy to understand for the average reader.However, for those who are looking for a more in-depth analysis of Tolkien's use of myth and relation to the more obscure texts the Professor worked with, this very well might be a rehashing of already known material.Some attention is, appropriately, given to the universality if certain mythic themes, characters, and occurences. ... Read more