The Stone Circles of Britain, Ireland and Brittany

The beautiful book is loaded with hundreds of photos, explores the ancestry, methods of construction and why they were abandoned after thousands of years of use.

Marvelous work made even better by bringing the information up to date.


Excellent format, but not a comprehensive list   August 8, 2002
9 out of 10 found this review helpful

I've used this book on many visits to English and Irish sites, and the layout of the book, directions to the various sites, and descriptions are excellent.

However, I was under the assumption that every significant site was listed, but during my last visit to Ireland, I visited 2 superb stone circles not even listed in the book. Why?

It's still worth every penny, and I know I'll use it again.


The Ultimate Reference to Stone Circles - Masterful.   March 10, 2001
29 out of 29 found this review helpful

Aubrey Burl has the credentials and credibility to author this, the best reference to the stone circles of Britain, Ireland and Brittany, with gusto. It is a powerful masterpiece which is long overdue in the world of prehistoric antiquarianism. It surpasses all contemporaries in the field with no difficulty. While many others, Julian Cope's tome included, are wonderful texts in themselves, none come close to the mastery of the subject area that Burl exhibits here.

The information shared with the reader is truly remarkable. Everything you will ever need to know about these stones is here, from the swirling myths and legends which surround such phenomena to historical, geographical, geological, astronomical and archaeological facts. The only thing left is to actually follow the maps and go and see them for yourself. It is one of the cheapest, most leisurely and yet interesting activities any one could ever do. The hefty price of this book is well justified.

It is the big brother of "A guide to the Stone Circles of Britain, Ireland, and Brittany", which is the smaller version or gazetteer to be carried around while tramping over the hills and moors searching for these elusive shrines. This book is a tad too big for space in the rambling haversack.

Every circle doesn't make it. "Bedd Gurfal" here in North Wales doesn't make an appearance, neither do a few other smaller rings, but all of the larger rings are not only mentioned, but are positively dissected with words, diagrams, pictures and academic hypotheses.

If you ever want to purchase an all knowing, all telling book on this subject, you need not look any further... Expensive, but truly magnificent.


Well worth carrying in your backpack!   July 25, 2000
8 out of 8 found this review helpful

Last summer I trekked all over the wilds of England looking at Circles, trotting over moors seeing Quoits and crawling into fougus. This book was a superb resource and worth twice the price. I am putting together a website about the journey and this book is like being back there again. My scribbled notes in the margins make me smile when I read them. f you are about to scamper off to Merrie Olde England, I strongly advise you order a copy of this book. I am glad I did. ~Amaneris~


Detailed but very little on Brittany. Misleading title.   October 26, 1999
sydhancock@compuserve.com (Brittany, France)
13 out of 13 found this review helpful

I bought this book because I have found very little in English about the stones of Brittany. I was disappointed with that aspect of the book as there are only 11 pages on this area in a book of over 260. I do not think that the material warrants the inclusion of 'Brittany' as equal billing in the title and the title is therefore quite misleading. But the material on the sites on britain and Ireland is detailed, including map references, and very well presented. The book is small enough to go into a pocket and has hard-wearing covers. So, with the above qualification, I would rate it as very good.