J. Williams Ab Ithel - Barddas: A Collection of Original Documents, Illustrative of the Theology Wisdom, and Usages of the Bardo-Druidic Systems of the Isle of Britain

The central document of the nineteenth-century Druid Revival, and a major source for Druids throughout the Western world since its original publication, The Barddas of Iolo Morganwg combines medieval Welsh bardic traditions with Iolo Morganwg's own brilliant innovations into an extraordinary tapestry of Druid teaching full of unexpected insights and visionary wisdom. Weiser Books is to be commended for putting this classic text of modern Druid spirituality into the hands of a new generation of seekers and scholars.

John Michael Greer, Ancient Order of Druids in America and coauthor of Learning Ritual Magic

Whatever the origins of the writings collected here, Barddas is a magical brew, blending ancient mystery with revolutionary ideas, splashed with caustic humour, obsession, genius, vision, and laudanum. With modern Druidic philosophy and spirituality so shaped by individual inspiration, having accessible all the available sources is essential, and this is certainly one. A neat presentation, it benefits, too, from a clear introduction by Matthews, one of the foremost thinkers on this fascinating subject.

Emma Restall Orr, Head of the Druid Network

Barddas by John Williams ab Ithel written in 1862 is the fictional and factual story about Druidry originally written by a most controversial character named Iolo Morganwg. This wonderful book, long out of print, is enhanced by Celtic scholar John Matthews whose introduction to the book is priceless in itself Nothing has influenced modern revivalist Druidry more than Barddas. This book deserves an honored place in the library of anybody interested in the Druids.

John F. Gilbert, Ph.D., Druidry professor for over 30 years at the Universal Seminary

One of the archetypal spiritual teachers is the Trickster, whose daring and eccentricity pushes us to explore life in ever-increasing depth. Iolo Morganwg was such a tricksterat times infuriating, at times inspiredand through his writings he has profoundly influenced the development of modern Druidism and Celtic spirituality. At last in this edition much of his work is again available, and combined here with John Matthews's wide-ranging introduction, Iolo's words and ideas can once more intrigue a new generation of readers.

Philip Carr-Gomm, Chief of the Order of Bards, Ovates, and Druids, author of The Druid Mysteries, Druidcraft, and The Druid way

This book will be of interest to students of the history of the modern Druid revival, especially as it has developed in England. The author of Barddas, Iolo Morganwg, was a notorious forger and opium (laudanum) addict and as such his works cannot be relied upon for genuine Druid material with any convincing link to the Druids of antiquity.

Thankfully John Matthews has written an introduction that honestly discusses the problems with Morganwg's scholarship: his drug-enhanced imagination and the fact that it is nearly impossible to separate fact from fiction in his writings. Other modern authors who claim to write about genuine Druids from antiquity have not been as honest, preferring to cite Iolo as an authentic and unquestioned source.

This is a text that will be useful to scholars so long as they have a good grounding in the archaeology and history of the ancient Druids. However, Iolo deserves credit for popularizing the ancient Celtic religion in a way that continues to inspire modern neo-Druids to this day.

Ellen Evert Hopman, author of A Druid's Herbal for the Sacred Earth Year, and Tree Medicine, Tree Magic