HISTORY

The Celts: A Modern History

Princeton Univ. Mar. 2025. 576p. ISBN 9780691222516. $39.95. HIST
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Cultural historian Stewart’s (Univ. of Edinburgh) weighty history explores the evolution of people wanting to claim Celtic identity for their nations. With examinations of research, theories, and sometimes outright forgeries of antiquarians, academics, and eccentric historical enthusiasts, the book shows how a dearth of textual evidence, save for mentions in the classical writings of Caesar and Tacitus, allowed various parties wishing to claim Celtic forebears for their nations (or to denigrate the heritage of their rivals) to shape popular ideas of this ancient people for purposes ranging from religious sectarianism to political ambitions. In Ireland and Brittany, claims to Celtic heritage were used to strengthen independence movements. Patriots in Wales and Scotland sought proof of literary and poetic traditions stretching back to an idealized Celtic past. Stewart elucidates a clearer understanding of the Celts through disciplines such as linguistics and archaeology. His book also explains how theories of race and nationalism worked to confuse and distort matters.
VERDICT Stewart’s exhaustively researched work will appeal chiefly to scholars of historiography.
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