The Children's Fire - by Mac Macartney (Paperback)

About the Book

Book Synopsis

***SILVER AWARD WINNER, 2019 NAUTILUS BOOK AWARDS!***
The Children's Fire forges a trail into Britain's wild and ancient Celtic past. It locates the fragments of a story that still has resonance today; the pulse and surge of an older wisdom that cracks the mendacity of the shopping mall's vacuous promise. It is a passionate evocation of a generous, inclusive, diverse and spiritually significant world - the world of our longing.
In the winter of 2009 Mac Macartney walked from his birthplace in England across Wales to the island of Anglesey, once the spiritual epicentre of Late Iron Age Britain, navigating by the sun and the stars, with no map, compass, stove or tent, and in the coldest winter for many years. The Children's Fire records that journey, and seeks to lay bare the aching loss of knowing and understanding sacredness as it applies to everything ordinary that brings joy to the human heart. It asserts the emergence of a new story; the story of a people coming home to a truth made all the more poignant having so painfully broken faith with nature, our deeper humanity, and the paradise we fouled with such casual disrespect. It is a love story and part of a larger narrative that is surfacing all around the world. It seeks to reclaim our future and name it, beautiful.

Review Quotes

"...Not often do I read a book which stirs me so deeply, yet flows so freely that it is a struggle to put it down."

"Highly recommended book, powerfully written."

"An inspiring story. Authentic and thought provoking. Thank you Mac for sharing your journey."

"Mac's book tells a story great than his own journey from Malvern to Anglesey. It is one that is deeply touching and really strikes a cord about the roots and origins of our modern disconnected culture and how we can go about repairing it for the benefit of ourselves and future generations."

" ...I find myself deeply inspired and uplifted by this amazing book...This is a valued, must read, inspirational bible that should be in all book lover's libraries."

"I highly recommend this book to all!"

"The book has had me gripped by masterful storytelling in the account of the journey, moved to tears by achingly poignant passages and laughing along with the author in his beautifully irreverent and un-lofty moments of warm humour."

"...It is both nourishing and challenging and it can help us to reconnect to something far greater than we may have assumed possible. Just read it and pass it on!"

"Mac's (second) book both inspired and educated me, highly recommended, I devoured it. Well written, a compelling blend of his story, history and wisdoms. "

"Mac writes a touching personal account of journeying from his birthplace to reconnect with spiritual ancestors on Anglesey. I was spellbound by his storytelling and inspired by the invitation to rekindle The children's fire reigniting a deep purposeful connection with our planet and all its children."

"This is a book of pilgrimage, of re-connection to ourselves, each other and place, of courage, curiosity, dreaming, reflection and of simple ceremony, purpose, peace and presence to life. Thank you Mac for your magical storytelling, your authenticity and for your love of the children."

"This book is every bit as good as I expected it to be, given what I've previously seen and read of Mac Macartney. It is an honest, captivating piece of writing that effortlessly combines Mac's re-telling of his month-long pilgrimage alongside startling insights into Britain's indigenous and ancient Celtic past. It is courageous, and full of integrity and vulnerability. A real gift. Thank you Mac: )"

"What an inspiring book. Mac has an incredible way of taking you wherever he is at his journey, feeding you with wisdom and showing you the compassion you need to love & care for all living beings. I've learned so much from this book. A new perspective which enabled me to see world in a different narrative. It's beautiful."