A History of Pagan Europe
This is a book that was recommended to me, and I have to admit that it is one of the best scholarly texts on the history of European Pagan religions. Jones and Pennick trace the evolution of Pagan religions in Greece and Rome, the religions of the Celts, Paganism in Germany and the Balkans, and the current Pagan revival. Filled with concise information and illustrations which add to the content rather than distracting from it, I’m sure I’ll be referring to this book again in the future.
Rating: 
(out of 12 reviews)
List Price: CDN$ 39.95
Price: CDN$ 30.72
[wprebay kw=”pagan+history” num=”6″ ebcat=”all”] [wprebay kw=”pagan+history” num=”7″ ebcat=”all”]
Review by Shepen for A History of Pagan Europe
Rating:
This is hands down the best book on paganism that I’ve ever seen!
-The first thing that drew me to it was the fact that it had information about pagan cultures from ALL of europe, not just the Celtic lands. (I like the Celts alot, but those of us who want look into our Germanic or Slavic ancestry get the short end of the stick most of the time.)
-Second, it presents a view that is very balanced: this is not one of those books about the mean ‘ol Christians bullying peaceful fluffy pagans any more than it is about peaceful fluffy Christians converting barbaric pagans.
-It is also very well researched. It was in agreement with most of what I’ve studied in college courses and other academic works and as an archaeology buff, this impressed me greatly. Others have mentioned this book’s lack of revisionist history or conspiracy theory b.s. that make up alot of pagan histories. This gives us much more mainstream credibility.
-Finally, this book has alot of useful, authentic(!!) stuff, such as photos, firsthand accounts, and folk prayers that will enrich your knowledge and worship (if you’re a Pagan.)
I also reccomend this book to Christians interested in history and learning “the rest of the story” about medieval Europe.
Review by Joseph G. Wick for A History of Pagan Europe
Rating:
This is an interesting survey describing the various pagan religions; the process of their merger/supplantation by Christianity, their perseverance as “folk religion” and even their modern re-emergence. Nothing really heavy, but nice scholarship buttressed by a nice bibliography. On the bad side, it seemed a bit too much of a sell job for “goddess” worship and the section of Hungarian aboriginal religion was weak and, I believe, mildly inaccurate. Since Hungarians believe they spring from the Sumerians, there may have been more interesting connections. Nevertheless, the authors do a lot in a compact space.
Review by Kelly Linde for A History of Pagan Europe
Rating:
It seems as if we’ve made it through the poppy fields and munchkins are singing that we’re out of the woods and it’s time to step into the light. This book, with a handful of others provides REAL history and evidence to back it up that contrasts starkly with the words of other, more imaginative “historians.”
“Pagan” Europe was pretty ugly and boring, but this book is NOT.
Review by Lucas McNeill for A History of Pagan Europe
Rating:
This is a must-have for any modern pagan. It is very inspiring to get an idea of the pagan past and see its influence on the pagan present.
Review by L. Kolosky for A History of Pagan Europe
Rating:
I really enjoyed reading this book,because it covered parts of europe I have not yet read about. It taught me many new things and I am very glad I read it.