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A Great Book For The Lounging Explorer, To my couch and beyond.
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oldraven  |
Posted: 11-Jan-2007, 06:47 AM
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The Protector of the Unknown

Group: Scotland
Posts: 3,316
Joined: 20-Oct-2003
Zodiac: Hazel
Realm: Guysborough Co., Nova Scotia



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Mostly I read regional books on history, folklore, etc., and even some books on cartography and exploration. I'm currently reading Phantom Islands of the Atlantic, about islands on old maps that have gone missing, or never existed to begin with (the Isles of St. Brendan, for example). It was written by a New England fellow who has crossed the ocean numerous times on a wooden boat, using only the tools that were available durring the Discovery age. Highly recommended for the types who are into that sort of thing. He goes into great detail about the knowledge of our world through the ages, as it was percieved by the many great exploring civilizations. It's interesting to note that in Columbus' time, it had been accepted theory that the world was round for centuries. He was simply the first to try and prove it, (or the first sancioned by a Monarchy, for that matter).
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Caw "I am a Canadian by birth, but I am a Highlander by blood and feel under an obligation to do all I can for the sake of the Highlanders and their literature.... I have never yet spoken a word of English to any of my children. They can speak as much English as they like to others, but when they talk to me they have to talk in Gaelic." -Alexander Maclean Sinclair of Goshen (protector of Gaelic Culture) We need more Stan Rogers. jams
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oldraven  |
Posted: 22-Jan-2007, 06:54 AM
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The Protector of the Unknown

Group: Scotland
Posts: 3,316
Joined: 20-Oct-2003
Zodiac: Hazel
Realm: Guysborough Co., Nova Scotia



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No problem. One thing about this atlas, there aren't many maps. There is a lot of focus on the cultures themselves, so lots of reading, but only about 20 maps of Britain and Continental Europe. There aren't any of the modern cities listed on the maps either, so you have to have a regular atlas (or google earth) close by for reference. But the knowledge you can gain from this book is eye opening, to say the least.
Like how the kilt was a modern invention, and the tartan (not the plaid) was developed as a marketing scheme in the 18th century. Or that the Celts sacked Rome in 390BC, but withdrew to their own lands instead of settling, sealing thier own fates for the future. They invented Chain Mail, and the Roman Legionaries took their helm design from the Celts. The bagpipe is a Middle Eastern invention, no more popular in Scotland than any other part of Europe until Britain began using them in Highland Military Regiments, as it was falling in popularity elsewhere.
In general, I'm finding most modern accepted 'facts' of Celtic culture are often over romanticized or outright inventions of recent history.
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