Arthurian expert, John Matthews examines the many guises of Merlin - as seer, prophet, magician, and as an inspirer of people from all walks of life. Here we see the possible historic orgins of Merlin, as Celtic King, the later literary forms of his growing legend in the myths of King Arthur, and his more recent manifestations in visionary works, as the prototype of characters such as Obi Wan Kanobi in the Star Wars films, in TV, and fantasy writing. Drawing on a wealth of works of art drawn from Celtic, Medieval, Renaissance times through to the modern era, as well as specially commissioned illustrations, this will be the first fully illustrated book on Merlin, the man.

Author Biography

John Matthews is the author of various books on Arthurian and Celtic lore, among them a new illustrated edition of Thomas Malory's Le Morte D'Arthur, and of the Pitkin Guide to Merlin. He is currently working as an advisor on the film King Arthur due for release in December 2004.