Blood and Mistletoe

Ronald Hutton is professor of history, University of Bristol, and the author of many books including Witches, Druids, and King Arthur and Debates in Stuart History. He lives in Bristol, UK.

‘Hutton’s volume is a tour de force. The author is at his very best in his sheer breadth and depth of scholarly research of this period, and his work is laced with elegance and humour…The book is an overwhelmingly positive contribution to scholarship.’ — Miranda Aldhouse-Green, Antiquity Vol 83 Issue 322, December 2009"Compelling... [Hutton is] a master storyteller..." — Christopher Catling, Current Archaeology "...an engrossing, endlessly thought-provoking read." — Michael Kerrigan, The Scotsman`This book is a tour de force: surely the definitive work on our perception of the Druids.' — David V. Barrett, The Independent "[Hutton] takes a refreshingly even-handed view." — Noel Malcolm, Sunday Telegraph "...[a] scholarly and enlightening work ... indispensable for anyone wishing to discover the origins of Druidry today." — Geoff Ward, Western Daily Press (West Country Life) "...not only examines faith and superstition in Celtic society...but also looks closely at the many revivals... It makes for an invigorating brew." — Good Book Guide "This is an effective study of a complex subject, presented with tact, sympathy and a high level of academic rigour." — Stephen Toase, Fortean Times 'It's a comprehensive account of the Druids...full of fascinating detail and has some splendid illustrations.' — Meic Stephens, Cambria Magazine '... a tour de force ... a scrupulous, scholarly dissection in a masterful fashion ... [It] is fascinating ... [A] definitive book.' — Penny Billington, Touchstone 'Anyone ... interested in the evolution of the modern druidic movement will find [this] a fascinating read. Very highly recommended.' — The Cauldron '…Hutton has created what he calls a book about the British, with a scholarly perception, grace and wit.' — British Archaeology Shortlisted for the 2009 Katherine Briggs Folklore Award"A magisterial and eminently readable account of the druids and how they have been continually reinvented over the last three hundred years by visionaries, political radicals, angry academics and downright fraudsters. Recommended reading for anyone who has driven down the A303 late at night, slowed down as they approached Stonehenge and wondered for a moment if the original druids really did process round those gigantic stones wreathed in mistletoe and clutching blood-stained knives!" - Tony Robinson"Lucid, open-minded, encyclopaedic and yet still fascinating - almost perfect history if such a thing were possible." - Terry Jones"Everything that is known about the druids plus everything that is known about knowing about them! Ronald Hutton uses the quest for the druids as a mirror of how Europeans have seen themselves through the last thousand years. It's an enormous undertaking performed with even-handedness and a sense of joy in history." - Terry Jones