This is really a beautiful, well-designed book. The cover is blood red with gold lettering- with a insert of a classical wizard. The full color illustrations from a variety of artists and sources are especially fine. This volume even has marbled end papers! In my opinion it would make a marvelous gift for anyone, young or old, with an interest in the legends of wizards and of magic. It certainly held my interest.

The first part of the book (Singers at the World's Dawn) deals with the greatest of the archetypal wizards from the dawn of time: Vainamoinen, Math, Manannan, Taliesin, Merlin, Volga Vseslavich, etc.

The second part (Masters of the Forbidden Arts) deals with more recent historical practioners: Roger Bacon, Nostadamus, Faust, Albertus Magnus, Michael Scot, Etc.

The third part (The Shadowy Sisterhood) is a general and mostly anonomous history of witchcraft- black and white.

There are even introductory sections on the tarot, astronomy, and magical creatures included.

This book was originally part of the Time-Life "The Enchanted World" series, but it is a work of art all by itself. This is a large, handsome volume with a blood red cloth cover, gold lettering, and a pasted-in insert of a classical wizard image. It even has marbled endpapers!

The text and illustrations are also of top quality. It held my interest, and I have a library of books on simular subjects. The tome is divided into three sections: Singers at the World's Dawn (dealing with the great archtypal wizards such as Vainamoinen, Taliesin, Volga Vseslavich, Manannan Mac Lir, and Merlin); Masters of the Forbidden Arts (Roger Bacon, Nostradamus, Fausus); and The Shadowy Sisterhood (a brief history of witchcraft, black and white.) There are even sections on supernatural creatures, astrology, and the tarot.

This is really a beautifully designed, written and illustrated book. It looks great on display- and would make a fine gift for those interested in the history of Wizardry.

Complete Flea is a study of the flea in human culture. The author explores the flea as subject and artifact in art, poems, literature, and plays. It is typical to find books such as Complete Flea for other animals such as cats, dogs, etc...but a parasite is an unusual compilation.

The book is illustrated with some nice detailed sketches of the flea from the advent of microscopy, as well as works from various artists.

The Complete Flea says nothing of the incredible biology of the flea, its ecology, or habits. Rather it focuses purely on its impression on human culture, which has usually been non-disease related. For those that have a soft spot in their heart for these little wingless flies...Complete Flea will offer much intellectual fodder for conversation.

I read this book prior to Cahill's "How the Irish Saved Civilisation" which is better known due to its run on the bestseller list. I found that reading this book first was a good choice, because its deep background made Cahill's book a better read. In fact, "Early Celtic Christianity" proved to be an excellent read because it allowed a friend (a Cahill reader) and I to compare and contrast the two different views of this interesting point in history. Largely about the same era, this book focuses particularly on three of the more important saints of Ireland -- Brendan, Columba, and Columbanus, and because of this has the distinct advantage of being able to concentrate on some of the smaller details of their lives, and how that effected the turning points of the day, including the christianization of Scotland and the controversial Council at Whitby. While Cahill tends to be more secular and political in his approach, Lehane is more religiously and historically oriented, leading to a more intimate view of the culture. I also found it refreshing that he was careful to present well documented materials as facts and rumors and legends as theories, rather than muddying the two together. It invites you to make your own decisions on how to interpret. A good read all around. A great second read for those who enjoyed Cahill.

If you have read neither book, I recommend both, making this one the first. It presents a firmer foundation (in my humble opinion) and gives Cahill's quicker and lighter view of Columbanus a strong background.