This is an intreaging book that questions the roots of one of the greatest legends in Western culture. This is an intriguing book that questions the roots of one of the greatest legends in Western culture. The book is essentially discussing a theory that legends and heroes that lived in central Asia spread out to affect other histories and cultures. If there is more solid evidence that surfaces over the following years then it may mean that our image and the history of everything from Christianity to the first contacts with the East will drastically change. The book's main drawback as a historical resource is that it is predominantly theory and plausible evidence, but nothing proven, at least for now.

I hope that the author, Howard Reid, is able to complete his follow up book looking at links with the legends in Asia, all the way to Japan. Experimental research and theory in history is always needed and attracts new blood and ideas into the field. As every avid reader of history knows, history is ever changing - new perspectives, evidence, and fallacies are constantly being uncovered. We should learn what is factual in order to question it, and ultimately strive to find the truth.

Enjoy a good read on a possible past!

If you want to know about the evolution of the Arthurian legends, from their basis in history to their literary evolution, this is a perfect book for you.

The book traces the history of tales through the most ancient works from Wales and Brittany, through the evolution of the stories by various authors -- Chretien de Troyes, Wolfram von Eschenbach, Thomas Malory, and even considers works from the nineteenth and twentieth century (Tennyson, the marvelous though largely unread works of Charles Williams, T.S. Eliot, T.H. White, and even Monty Python and the Holy Grail)

The book is an indispensable reference for keeping the legends straight in your mind, especially where there are differences of opinion (for instance, was the Grail a platter, a stone, or a chalice for the author).

The book is intended as a reference book, so it is not for someone looking to read a story or two -- it is meant to be a guide to understanding the literary development of the cycle.

As such, it is an indispensable guide to the various works out there.

This is one of the very few places that it's even possible to find information about the Arthurian and Grail traditions as they were known in the Spanish Peninsula. Entwistle discusses the Spanish and Portuguese variants of the Grail history and quest, Merlin, and Lancelot, examining the texts and detailing how the stories of the Round Table came to be in the Spanish Peninsula. His comments are insightful and thoroughly documented. This is a fine presentation of an area of Arthurian studies that many people don't seem to know exists let alone have any direct knowledge of the topic. This work is a true gem and should be a part of any serious collection of works on the subject of King Arthur.

I loved this book! I had to do a reaserach project on Arthurain legends and this bookr really satisfied my need for knowlege. i leaned of many differnt arthurain legends in detail. it was a great book to read

This is a rare and successful modern epic poem by one of the most learned and linguistically inventive English poets to emerge since the second world war. Difficult though it is in places at first, it is also very moving. Catching the high Arthurian spirit, while also being witty, it will change the life of anyone who reads it.

This book contains many RRAC (Second Order) manuscripts not included in Israel Regardie's books. It also includes material from the Cromlech Temple. Anyone who is studying the Golden Dawn system needs this volume to complete their collection. Note that much of it may be inpenetrable to those who have not passed the Veil of Paroketh, and it should not (in most cases) be used until the First Order material is fully absorbed and practiced. Some of it is also pure [junk], but I leave that to the wisdom of the beholder.

I think this is a perfect companion to the millions of Buk fans. He read his poetry in a clear way, a lot better than Hostage. He has a unique voice. Some claim he is one of the most influential and imitated poet, i'm for this.

Alright now, you must have this compilation... a must have to any true Bukowski fan.

This is a very unusual book. It comes somewhere between checkmate pattern books, like How to Beat Your Dad At Chess and The Art of Checkmate, and an annotated collection of quick victories, like a book on Morphy (the old master of attack!).

This is perfect for amateurs. It has about 100 games, mostly complete, with a light level of very helpful annotation. Very readable and realistic. The games are full of blunders, each of which the author explains. This contrasts with so many collections of master games in which a series of quiet, strategic moves culminates in a brilliant combination. The game fragments demonstrate themes, while the full games illustrate poor opening moves or mistaken ideas.

Most blunders are followed by a diagram, so instead of playing through the games, you could use the book as a series of tactical exercises. These blunders are typical of the errors in amateur play, and the best responses, though not trivial, are within reach.

After reading this book, you'll have a sense of when to pounce on your opponent. You'll also have a keenrer understanding of opening principles, as the author explains mistakes in clear English.

Minor drawback: There are only a few examples of queenside castling.

For USCF 1300-1500 rated players. Buy it with the author's Attack on the King in the Center. Both are great books for the money!

The KJV of the Bible needs no endorsement from me. When selecting an audio book you need to evaluate the actor who does the reading, and Roscoe Lee Browne is one of the best actors alive. He also has one of the most beautiful voices in his profession, which makes all his books on tape treats worth seeking out. He isn't as widely known as he deserves to be, but you may recall some of his work. He narrated the film Babe and provided the voice of the Kingpin in the excellent animated Spiderman TV series which recently completed its run. Amazon also sells an audio Old Testament for which Browne recorded Exodus, Jeremiah, Lamentations and Jonah.

I've been studying this book for over two years, and have already opened a website on its author whom I consider as one of the major chroniclers and writers of eighteenth century Court society in England. The "Correspondence" includes many insights into tthe countryside, since Mary Delany travelled to and lived in Ireland and different other parts of Britain. Several letters from famous people like Swift (yes, the one who wrote something about Gulliver), Horace Walpole, Samuel Richardson and many other great eighteenth century figures can be found in the "Correspondence" since they were also correspondents of Mary Delany. To sum up, in a nutshell, I do call this book MY bible, and I am convinced that it ought to be much better known than it now is. From an enthuisastic French reader and reviewer who'd love to be contacted on that subject...