<< Books/Products >> Book Review: Newgrange - Monument to Immortality by Anthony Murphy
Submitted by frogcottage42 on Tuesday, 30 April 2013 Page Views: 10175
Neolithic and Bronze AgeCountry: Ireland (Republic of) County: Co. Meath Type: Passage GraveInternal Links:
Visually appealing, the book is presented in a stiff paperback format looking rather like an expensive guidebook. Liberally strewn with colour photographs - many of which were taken by the author, thoroughly cross referenced and indexed it has a very professional feel.
The way in which the book is structured takes the reader on an exploratory journey examining the context and setting of this monument from its apparently simple geography through its possible astronomical connections to its spiritual, ritual and emotional significance.
For those not familiar with the site the author describes it in a simple and fairly uncluttered way which would serve well as an introduction but for the more familiar or scholarly reader this book is will add very little in the way of new material. Most of the content is assembled from quotations and references to other works (all diligently credited) with additional research and colourful imagery added by the author.
The overall impression is a little like reading the transcript from a lecture or perhaps a conversation with someone who has spent a lot of time imagining the way things might have been so it is described almost as a person whom may have witnessed some of the subject.
There is not much weight given to the possibility that the reconstruction of the monument may have significantly altered our perception of its original layout and purpose, therefore some of the interpretations appear to suit the modern site whilst possibly straying from what can actually be supported by the archaeology. This is not a criticism because as with most ancient sites we are not able to be precise about the original context.
A significant part of the book is concerned with the astronomical connections of the monument and the cycles of the moon, particularly its apparent 19 year oscillation on its visible path through the sky. Those unfamiliar with the mechanics of this cycle will find it well described here, the significance of the monument's construction with relation to these lunar and relevant solar events is covered in some detail.
Beyond these factual observations there are expressed here the opinions and theories of the author. He attempts to convey the mood surrounding the construction of these monuments and the cultural ethos that may have shaped them. These ideas are presented as just that and not as if they are cast iron facts, there is a clear effort shown to back up any theory with other published material and the references in the endnotes will give the reader plenty of other books to look up.
All in all; well presented, easy to read, furnished with lots of pictures and good references this book will definitely be suited to those who are not particularly familiar with the monument. However anyone with reasonable prior knowledge of Newgrange will not find much here to expand their current understanding.
Review by Ray Smith (frogcottage42)
Newgrange - Monument to immortality by Anthony MurphyPublished and available from the Liffey Press
ISBN 978-190830824-5
Price €24.95 (£22.95)
Also Amazon.co.uk, Amazon.com.
See below for a couple of extracts read by author.
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