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Book recommendations

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
lastard
Feb 13, 2009 7:47:48 Hi all! I am looking for some good historical books on shamans in different cultures (Russian, Native American, Hawaiian, Japanese etc) - and historical stuff on druids (so far, I have mostly found sort of New Age self-help type stuff). And a friend of mine is looking for historical stuff about gladiators. Does anyone happen to have recommendations?

Lastard
#2
phoenix_m
Feb 13, 2009 12:36:47 Wiki may have useful links.
As far a search engines go don't look for the term 'Druid', try Celts, Picts or Woads. Neolithic Religion also may be a good one.

On a similar note, do you know how hard it is looking for pre-Islam arabic material (research for Raam).
#3
lastard
Feb 13, 2009 14:57:05 Uh, I thought that would be easy with Babylon, Ur, Assyria and stuff. But isn't Raam mostly based on India?

Have found some books on female Russian shamans so far that look quite interesting. Most of the good stuff seems out of print or can only be obtained through museum libraries. Thought somebody might know some easier to get hold of publications. Will try university library next ;)
#4
harsh
Feb 14, 2009 1:48:52 A good sized University library would probably be your best bet unless you live in a fairly liberal city/town that still has old book stores with basement stacks. Those always seem to have the best material for some reason.
#5
agi
Feb 17, 2009 9:27:44 As a suggestion, look in the cultural studies section of the book store rather than the New Age section. Also, if you search for "shamanism wiki" on google, it'll give you a good start.

There was a product release some time ago by TSR "Shamen" which I picked-up becasue I thought it would contain some good info. But it was miserabbly disappointing. I don't recommend using it, or even wasting your time trying to find it.
#6
agi
Feb 17, 2009 9:33:05 XX
#7
lastard
Feb 17, 2009 10:17:47 hi! wasn't looking deliberately in the 'new age section'. just did a general amazon/library search and all this new age stuff came up. i sort of know where to look as i'm a researcher and have access to specialist libraries. but rather than starting from scratch i wondered if somebody had any specific books they loved or hated - sorry about the confusion. thanks for your advice so far!

i do actually have a TSR 'Shamans' supplement and i think it is rather cool. have used it a lot in previous campaigns. the illustrations are also amazing. do you think it's the same one?

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 lastard Feb 13, 2009 7:47:48	Hi all! I am looking for some good historical books on shamans in different cultures (Russian, Native American, Hawaiian, Japanese etc) - and historical stuff on druids (so far, I have mostly found sort of New Age self-help type stuff). And a friend of mine is looking for historical stuff about gladiators. Does anyone happen to have recommendations? Lastard
#2 phoenix_m Feb 13, 2009 12:36:47	Wiki may have useful links. As far a search engines go don't look for the term 'Druid', try Celts, Picts or Woads. Neolithic Religion also may be a good one. On a similar note, do you know how hard it is looking for pre-Islam arabic material (research for Raam).
#3 lastard Feb 13, 2009 14:57:05	Uh, I thought that would be easy with Babylon, Ur, Assyria and stuff. But isn't Raam mostly based on India? Have found some books on female Russian shamans so far that look quite interesting. Most of the good stuff seems out of print or can only be obtained through museum libraries. Thought somebody might know some easier to get hold of publications. Will try university library next ;)
#4 harsh Feb 14, 2009 1:48:52	A good sized University library would probably be your best bet unless you live in a fairly liberal city/town that still has old book stores with basement stacks. Those always seem to have the best material for some reason.
#5 agi Feb 17, 2009 9:27:44	As a suggestion, look in the cultural studies section of the book store rather than the New Age section. Also, if you search for "shamanism wiki" on google, it'll give you a good start. There was a product release some time ago by TSR "Shamen" which I picked-up becasue I thought it would contain some good info. But it was miserabbly disappointing. I don't recommend using it, or even wasting your time trying to find it.
#6 agi Feb 17, 2009 9:33:05	XX
#7 lastard Feb 17, 2009 10:17:47	hi! wasn't looking deliberately in the 'new age section'. just did a general amazon/library search and all this new age stuff came up. i sort of know where to look as i'm a researcher and have access to specialist libraries. but rather than starting from scratch i wondered if somebody had any specific books they loved or hated - sorry about the confusion. thanks for your advice so far! i do actually have a TSR 'Shamans' supplement and i think it is rather cool. have used it a lot in previous campaigns. the illustrations are also amazing. do you think it's the same one?