February 16, 2011
By Staff Reporter
A CELTIC CHILDHOOD
Bill Watkins
The author’s "Celtic Childhood" stems from a combination of Irish and Welsh roots which clearly took hold despite the fact that he was born in and spent part of that childhood in England. Now a resident of Minneapolis, Watkins is working on two followup books, one on Scotland, the other on the several nations that make up the Celtic world. Hardcover, 312 pages, $24. Published by Hungry Mind Press, 1648 Grand Ave., St. Paul Minn. 55105. Phone (651) 699-7038.
SARAJEVO-BELFAST
Vedran Smailovic/Tommy Sands
Music has been as a spur for both war and peace since time immemorial. In this CD, both musicians lend their talents and their hearts to the always besieged cause of peace. In the case of Vedran Smailovic "The Cellist of Sarajevo," this entailed playing in the middle of the battles that raged in his native city back in 1992. Tommy Sands is from Northern Ireland and his music is steeped in the Irish folk genre as well as his experiences during the troubles. Released by Appleseed Recordings. Details from Mark Pucci Media, (770) 804-9555.
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GARDENS OF IRELAND
Marianne Herron, photography by Steven Wooster
If Wicklow is the Garden of Ireland, Ireland in total could make a strong case for being the Garden of Europe. In this book, 30 of Ireland’s finest gardens from Derry to Cork are vividly illustrated with over 200 color photos. Hardcover $29.95 (Canada $44.95). Published by Sterling Publishing Co., 387 Park Ave. South, New York NY 10016. Phone (212)532-7160.
CIRCLES OF STONE, THE PREHISTORIC RINGS OF BRITAIN AND IRELAND
Max Milligan with text by Aubrey Burl
Ireland and Britain are dotted with Neolithic and Bronze Age religious sites, many of them stone circles that reveal some, but far from all, secrets of those long vanished times of the Druids. This book contains 200 color photos of the most important sites in Ireland, England, Scotland and Wales. 208 pages, hardcover, $45. Published by Harvill Press. Details from Morse Partners, (212) 517-5652 or morsepartners@msn.com