Fingal's Cave, the Poems of Ossian, and Celtic Christianity - Hardcover

Allen, Paul Marshall; Allen, Joan Deris

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0826411444 ISBN 13: 9780826411440

Publisher: Continuum Intl Pub Group, 1999

Synopsis

On the isolated island of Staffa, next to Iona in Scotland, stands one of the natural wonders of the world. Fingal's Cave--an extraordinary Cathedral-like space, with sides and roof of hexagonal balsatic columns, with a floor made of the ocean, which is constantly making musical sounds as the tides ebb and flow. The tides ebb and flow. This cave has been been a source of mystery, spiritual insight, and artistic inspiration for centuries. To understand Fingal, and his importance in Celtic culture, we must understand both the poems of Ossian, collected by the 18th century poet James Macpherson, and the development of Celtic Christianity from the druids and bards of long ago.

Paul and Joan Allen describe the history and importance of Fingal's Cave and The Poems of Ossian to contemporary culture today, and show why they have influenced many diverse figures including Medelssohn, Jefferson, Napoleon, Turner, and others.

About this title

About the Author

Paul M. Allen was an authority on the life and work of Rudolf Steiner and edited many of his books. He also the editor of "A Christian Rosenkreutz Anthology"

Joan deRis Allen is a noted architect and author of "Living Buildings." The Allens are coauthors of several books, including "Fingal's Cave, the Poems of Ossian, and Celtic Christianity" and "Francis of Assisi's Canticle of the Creatures" and "The Time Is at Hand."

Reviews

Renowned for its spectacular basalt columns, Fingal's Cave, in Scotland, figures prominently in the controversial poems of Ossian, a legendary Gaelic poet of antiquity who deeply influenced the Romantic Movement. (Several recent titles, including The Poems of Ossian and Related Works, edited by Howard Gaskil, provide a solid scholarly introduction to Ossian.) Celtic Christianity is also of great current interest. Rather than presenting a reasonable discussion of any of the above, however, this book is more a tract on Rudolf Steiner, a turn-of-the-century forerunner of the New Age movement who founded a society for the advancement of Anthroposophy, a body of lore he assembled from elements of occultism, Buddhism, Christianity, and Hinduism. This lore includes the foundation of this book, a talk Steiner gave on Fingal's Cave in 1911Aa ramble through various odd nooks of occultism, Antlantean fantasy, etc. Certainly curious but not recommended except for collections where Anthroposophy is a subject in demand.ACharles V. Cowling, SUNY at Brockport Lib.
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Edition details

• Publisher: Continuum Intl Pub Group
• Publication date: 1999
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0826411444
• ISBN 13: 9780826411440
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 198