The Ancient Celts
The standard academic account of the Celts by Britain's leading Iron Age archaeologist — wide-ranging, authoritative and readable.
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Celtic Books
History books about the Celts — origins, warriors, mythology, druids, art and more.
Books about Celtic mythology were the inspiration behind much of what I read as a child. Books such as the Chronicles of Prydain and the Owl Service were steeped in ancient Welsh legend. Lord of the Rings was my favourite book during adolescence. I graduated into history books and was particularly interested in tales of Celtic warriors and the wars that they fought as documented by ancient writers. That interest has endured and many of the books listed in this store are part of my own personal collection of books pertaining to the Ancient Celts. I highly recommend all of the books shown below and I own most of them.
Featured Celtic Books
Our recommended Celtic history titles — the books that were most visible in our original Celtic bookshop and that form the core of any serious Celtic library.
The Atlantic Celts: Ancient People or Modern Invention?
A provocative and important book asking whether the Celts of popular imagination are an ancient reality or a modern construction. Essential reading on Celtic identity.
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Celtic Warrior: 300 BC–AD 100
Osprey's detailed study of the Celtic warrior — equipment, tactics and culture from the height of Celtic power to the Roman conquest.
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The Historical Atlas of the Celtic World
A great reference to have: maps the spread of Celtic culture across Europe and the British Isles from the Bronze Age to the early medieval period.
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Celts: Origins, Myths, Inventions
A scholarly reassessment of the origins and reinventions of the Celtic concept. Collis challenges accepted ideas with rigorous archaeological evidence.
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The European Iron Age
The standard academic introduction to Iron Age Europe — the age of the Celts across the continent. A core text for anyone studying Celtic origins.
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The Celts: A Very Short Introduction
The ideal starting point — Cunliffe distils a lifetime of scholarship into a compact and authoritative introduction to the Celts.
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A Brief History of the Druids
One of the most reliable popular accounts of the druids and their role in Celtic society — well-sourced and accessible.
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Druids: Celtic Priests of Nature
Jean Markale's study of the druids as Celtic priests of nature — draws on ancient sources and mythology to reconstruct druidic belief and practice.
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Celtic Origins
Where did the Celts come from? These books cover the archaeological, genetic and cultural evidence for Celtic origins and the long-running debate about what it means to be Celtic.
The Ancient Celts
The standard academic account — wide-ranging, authoritative and readable. Winner of the British Archaeology Book Award.
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The Atlantic Celts: Ancient People or Modern Invention?
Runner-up in the British Archaeology Awards 2004. A rigorous challenge to received Celtic identity — essential for anyone serious about the subject.
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The Celts: A Very Short Introduction
The ideal first book on the Celts — compact, authoritative and easy to read.
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Exploring the World of the Celts
A well-illustrated survey of the Celtic world across Europe and Britain — a good accessible introduction alongside Cunliffe.
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The European Iron Age
The core academic text on Iron Age Europe — the age of the Celts. Essential for understanding the wider European context of British Celtic culture.
View on AmazonCeltic Warriors
Books on Celtic warfare, the warrior culture and the battles documented by ancient writers.
Celtic Warrior: 300 BC–AD 100
From the height of Celtic military power through to the Roman conquest. Covers weapons, armour, tactics and warrior identity. Detailed Osprey colour plates.
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More Celtic Warriors titles to be added. Candidates include Osprey and academic titles on Celtic warfare, La Tène culture and specific battles. New content being crafted.
Celtic Atlases
Maps and historical atlases covering the spread of Celtic culture across Europe and the British Isles.
The Historical Atlas of the Celtic World
A great reference to have — maps the full sweep of Celtic culture from the Bronze Age to the early medieval period. Detailed maps throughout with clear commentary.
View on AmazonDruids & Religion
Books on the druids, Celtic religion, ritual practice and the spiritual world of the ancient Celts.
A Brief History of the Druids
One of the most reliable popular accounts of the druids — well-sourced, clear and accessible. Part of our featured bestseller list.
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Druids: Celtic Priests of Nature
Draws on ancient sources and mythology to reconstruct druidic belief, ritual and their role as Celtic priests of the natural world.
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The Gods of the Celts
Miranda Green's authoritative study of Celtic deities and religious practice — the gods, goddesses, sacred sites and ritual objects of the ancient Celts.
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Additional Druids & Religion titles to be confirmed:
Druids: A Very Short Introduction — Barry Cunliffe | World of the Druids — Miranda J. Green | The Druids — Peter Berresford Ellis | Pagan Britain — Ronald Hutton | Blood and Mistletoe: The History of the Druids in Britain — Ronald Hutton
ASINs pending lookup — links will be added once confirmed.
Druids: A Very Short Introduction — Barry Cunliffe | World of the Druids — Miranda J. Green | The Druids — Peter Berresford Ellis | Pagan Britain — Ronald Hutton | Blood and Mistletoe: The History of the Druids in Britain — Ronald Hutton
ASINs pending lookup — links will be added once confirmed.
Celtic Mythology
Myths, legends and the mythology of the Celtic peoples — from the Mabinogion to Norse and Irish legend. These books on Celtic mythology were the inspiration behind much of what I read as a child.
The Mabinogion (Everyman)
The foundational collection of Welsh mythology — the Mabinogi tales that inspired generations of fantasy literature and preserve the earliest layer of Celtic myth in Britain.
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Additional Celtic Mythology titles to be confirmed:
The Mammoth Book of Celtic Myths and Legends — Peter Berresford Ellis | The Celtic Myths: A Guide to the Ancient Gods and Legends — Miranda Aldhouse-Green | Celtic Mythology: A Concise Guide — Hourly History / Bridger Conklin | Celtic Tales: Fairy Tales and Stories of Enchantment — Kate Forrester | Celtic Myths & Tales: Epic Tales — J.K. Jackson
ASINs pending lookup — links will be added once confirmed.
The Mammoth Book of Celtic Myths and Legends — Peter Berresford Ellis | The Celtic Myths: A Guide to the Ancient Gods and Legends — Miranda Aldhouse-Green | Celtic Mythology: A Concise Guide — Hourly History / Bridger Conklin | Celtic Tales: Fairy Tales and Stories of Enchantment — Kate Forrester | Celtic Myths & Tales: Epic Tales — J.K. Jackson
ASINs pending lookup — links will be added once confirmed.
DVD
Documentary films about the ancient Celts.
The Celts: Rich Traditions and Ancient Myths
A documentary covering the rich traditions and ancient myths of the Celtic peoples — suitable as an introduction alongside the books on this page.
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The following sections are being built out. Books will be added as we confirm titles and ASINs.
Celtic Art — titles to be added. Classic: Celtic Art: The Methods of Construction by George Bain.
Celtic Coins — titles to be added.
Celtic Women — titles to be added.
King Arthur — titles to be added.
Celtic Farming — see also Celtic Farming in Britain.
Celtic Fortifications — titles to be added. Classic: Danebury Hillfort by Barry Cunliffe.
Celtic Scotland — Recommended: Celtic Scotland by Ian Armit. Full section to be built.
Celtic Wales — Recommended: Celtic Wales by Miranda J. Green & Raymond Howell. Full section to be built.
Celtic Britain — titles to be added.
Modern Celtic Novels — titles to be added.
Bronze Age — titles to be added.
More History Books
Children's History BooksCeltic History Books for Children
Roman History Books
Roman Books for Children
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