February 16, 2011
By Staff Reporter
THE CELTIC BOOK OF LIVING AND DYING,
AN ILLUSTRATED GUIDE TO CELTIC WISDOM
Juliette Wood
The ancient Celts continue to enthrall many who see in the folk tales and traditions of the distant past many lessons for an uncertain modern age. This book explores anew the world of druids and bards that once defined the Celtic diaspora of north-western Europe. Key themes in Celtic wisdom dealing with destiny, the afterlife, prophecy, fertility and courage are covered and enhanced by more than 40 landscape photos and as many illustrations of Celtic-style artwork. The author is attached to the Dept. of Welsh at the University of Cardiff. Published by Chronicle Books, hardback, 144 pages, $24.95. Details, Steve Moore (415)537-4251 or steve_moore@chroniclebooks.com
FUSED
Michael McGoldrick
Sign up to The Irish Echo Newsletter
Flautist Michael McGoldrick’s career has evolved through Irish national championships, the world of Celtic Rock, more traditional sounds by way of the group Capercaillie and through the increasingly popular Afro-Celtic idiom. In this, his latest CD release, McGoldrick’s flute leads the way for an eclectic assortment of instruments including fiddle, trumpet and saxophone, drums and percussion. Guests musicians on "Fused" include Karan Casey, Karen Matheson and Manus Lunny. Released by Compass Records. For details call Shari Lacey (615)320-7672 or shari@compassrecords.com.
GOD GAME
Andrew Greeley
A newly released edition of Fr. Greeley’s "what if" tale, in which a mere human is actually presented with the opportunity to play God. The story presents the reader with both the attractions and pitfalls of holding Godlike power in one’s hand — in this case via a computer and some heavenly intervention. As is frequently the case with a Greeley book, the reader is provoked into studying the moral implications of our everyday actions, both real and wishful. Forge Books, tradepaper, 300 pages, $13.95. Details Karen Lovell (212)388-0100 ext. 888 or karen.lovell@tor.com.
THE MOST BEAUTIFUL VILLAGES IN IRELAND
Christopher Fitz-Simon
Photos by Hugh Palmer
As luck would have it, the cover of this book is a flower-adorned pub in Clonakilty, Co. Cork. Clonakilty is the current holder of Ireland’s coveted "Tidy Towns" title and only last week won an additional European prize for its flower displays. So it is doubtless deserving of a place in this rarefied collection of settled Irish beauty spots. Ireland is divided into its four provinces in this book and more than 30 villages are described. The list, of course, is subjective, but almost 260 color photos make for a convincing argument in every case. Thames & Hudson, 208 pages, $40.