Hi Datura!
Still not read that book, but last year I was glued to Ron Hutton's 'Triumph of the Moon'. So I'll follow your recommendation and read that one, too! For anyone who hasn't come across Prof Hutton - he's recommended! He takes a long, hard, critical look at the history of paganism - and strips away all the New Age nonsense! He's a longstanding member of the Order I'm a member of:
www.obod.co.uk
so I would be biased, re. Ron Hutton!
Interesting point about Beltane (seems so long ago, here in the N. hemisphere, already!) I have used it at least once in the past for fertility purposes - and it worked! I got a friend to do the spell working, though, didn't do it myself as I felt it too close to home.
I'm absolutely sure that I conceived so many times despite severe PCOS all my adult life - purely because of workings/visits to certain sacred sites. In fact, I watch the non pagans struggling ttc sometimes and wish I could tell them a few things... anyone else feel that?
I feel more of a crone than a mother these days, so Beltane has become one I don't do much for, now! The younger pagans here will be able to answer you better.