An interesting tome published in the 1990s and a very heavy hardback given that it is printed on high quality photographic paper. The chief interest is in the illustrations which include a lot from medieval manuscripts and the like.

The first part of the book traces the development of the Grail legend from the original Celtic stories which came from Ireland and then Wales, to the stories documented by monks principally the Cistercians, and the final flowering in the troubadour culture. Once the stories became European artefacts they were blended with elements from Moorish Spain and the Holy Land via the Knights Templar among others. The summary of the stories are a bit repetitive and dry but there is also some interesting commentary on the subversive content derived from Gnostic ideas, probably via the Cathars and Albigensians who were eventually brutally suppressed by the Catholic church.

Part Two deals with the relevance of the legends in modern times especially their 'restoration of paradise' aspect, and also discusses the anti-women aspect of the Christian Church. It is very clear that the author has an axe to grind on this subject, as in his view Christianity is more women-hating/anti female than various other religions - personally, I don't think it has a monopoly on that. Anyway, there is an assumption that Europe was once a paradise of women-led agriculturalists and pastoralists who knew no weapons and were subsequently crushed by an invasion of male chauvinist warriors who imposed a culture that the world has been stuck with ever since for the last five millennia. This is put across as a matter of proven fact.

So given the lack of balance in places, but the more useful information in part one and the plentiful illustrations I would rate this at 3 stars overall. ( )

Perhaps my favorite book on the subject, "The Holy Grail" examines all the major branches of the medieval grail romances, their authors, and the historical settings that produced them. Godwin interprets the text through a spiritual lens which is thought-provoking and only rarely threatens to descend into the pit of the "finding your inner fairy guardian" new age literary quagmire. It's also an utterly gorgeous book, with color pictures and/or plates facing each page of text, and lovely borders and initials. "The Holy Grail "is sadly out of print, but I would definitely recommend tracking a copy down if you're at all interested in the subject. ( )