Celtic Mythology: Tales of Gods, Goddesses, and Heroes

Written by Philip Freeman

Narrated by Gerard Doyle

Most people have heard of the Celts—the elusive, ancient tribal people who resided in present-day England, Ireland, Scotland and France. Paradoxically characterized as both barbaric and innocent, the Celts appeal to the modern world as a symbol of a bygone era, a world destroyed by the ambition of empire and the spread of Christianity throughout Western Europe. Despite the pervasive cultural and literary influence of the Celts, shockingly little is known of their way of life and beliefs, because very few records of their stories exist. In this book, for the first time, Philip Freeman brings together the best stories of Celtic mythology.

Everyone today knows about the gods and heroes of the ancient Greeks, such as Zeus, Hera, and Hercules, but how many people have heard of the Gaulish god Lugus or the magical Welsh queen Rhiannon or the great Irish warrior Cú Chulainn? We still thrill to the story of the Trojan War, but the epic battles of the Irish Táin Bó Cuailgne are known only to a few. And yet those who have read the stories of Celtic myth and legend—among them writers like J. R. R. Tolkien and C. S. Lewis—have been deeply moved and influenced by these amazing tales, for there is nothing in the world quite like them. In these stories a mysterious and invisible realm of gods and spirits exists alongside and sometimes crosses over into our own human world; fierce women warriors battle with kings and heroes, and even the rules of time and space can be suspended. Captured in vivid prose these shadowy figures—gods, goddesses, and heroes—come to life for the modern reader.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Brilliance Audio
• Release date: Mar 1, 2017
• ISBN: 9781536685688

Philip Freeman

Philip Freeman is the Fletcher Jones Chair of Western Culture at Pepperdine University and was formerly professor of classics at Luther College and Washington University. He earned the first joint PhD in classics and Celtic studies from Harvard University, and has been a visiting scholar at the Harvard Divinity School, the American Academy in Rome, the Institute for Advanced Study at Princeton, and the Center for Hellenic Studies in Washington, DC. He is the author of several books including Alexander the Great, St. Patrick of Ireland, Julius Caesar, and Oh My Gods. Visit him at PhilipFreemanBooks.com.

Reviews for Celtic Mythology

[Yevgeny Frolov · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Most of the stories presented (many of them) here from my point of view are a bit shallow. ”Who wants to lay with whom, who wants to escape with whom, who has the best bull.” Few of these sound like gossip of the aristocracy of the court and could be removed.

But if one would like to have more extensive view of myth then this book must be consumed to see the range, depth and insight of classical myth of Europe.

These seems like been significantly reduced by monks with the bias of who captured them. Author does cover it.
So for context it is a 3 star context.
For effort and intro to Celtic myth is 4 stars.
Total of 3.5 starsr

[giorgiareads · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

Awful. I understand that a lot of the mythology we have recorded from different cultures is very misogynistic BUT it felt like this book set out to erase women and their contributions unless they were there to sate the “hero’s lust” and afterwards have his “heir” so that his greatness of his legacy doesn’t stop there. Literally. It’s not an exaggeration. I felt grossed out after awhile because at the beginning I thought the first few stories juts happened to have that kind of storyline for any woman involved BUT no, they’re all like that, unless we get the odd one where on top of an incubator and an object to F**K she is also so so awful because she wants to do more and achieve more by not so nice methods (not unlike EVERY hero)

[Leah · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Good. The notes at the end are helpful. Some of the translations may not be best

[Migman · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Nicely narrated and it’s good to hear the pronunciation of the names from these famous fables. In this text the main Irish and Welsh stories are covered.

[Emily Dixon · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A great audio book for anyone interested in listening about Celtic mythology. The narrator has a lovely Irish accent that brings the stories to life. The stories are enchanting and entertaining. I love the chapter about the ancient celtic gods Lugus, Belenos, Sulis and so on. It narrates all the Cycles of Irish Mythology, the Welsh Mabinogi, and speaks about the Christian saints of Ireland. I found it as informational as it was entertaining. Best suited for more mature audiences.

[Tony Plascencia · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

My first audiobook ever the storytelling is very compelling thanks

[paul_s-289480 · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

Is an OK book but the stories themselves are just confused repetitive bizarre nonsense.