Folklore studies / Study of myth Books

Book SynopsisFor almost 150 years, Bulfinch’s Mythology has been the text by which the great tales from classical antiquity, the Norse and Asian traditions, and the age of chivalry have been known. Here are lively versions of the myths of Zeus, Hera, and their cohorts on Mt. Olympus; the legends of the Trojan War and the epic wanderings of Ulysses and Aeneas; the tales of the joys of Valhalla and the furies of Thor; the adventures of King Arthur and his knights; and the sagas of Beowulf and Robin Hood. As Thomas Bulfinch himself wrote, “Without a knowledge of mythology much of the elegant literature of our own language cannot be understood and appreciated.” With stories that are eminently readable, Bulfinch’s Mythology gives us just that knowledge.

Read more less

Book SynopsisAround the world, people looked to the skies to tell them when to sow and harvest their crops, and when the rains would come. The ‘sailing stars’ have guided explorers and endless migrations of people. In Old Europe, among the Ainu of Japan and in Indigenous Australia the Pleiades were associated with water and birds. They become Oceanids, Ice Maidens, Water Girls and the Subaru. The Parthenon in Athens, the Great Pyramid of Giza in Egypt and the Mayan Temple of the Sun in Cuzco, are all said to be aligned with the Pleiades. The Seven Sisters of the Pleiades will amaze and awe you, and above all will remind you that all of humanity shares the night skies.Trade Review"Fascination with the Pleiades... spreads over many cultures, as Andrews notes. In ancient Egypt, they were regarded as the Seven Fates who 'foretold the destiny of every newborn'; in India they still influence the game of dice; and a cluster of dots on the Lascaux cave paintings in France, more than 17,000 years old, is perhaps the world's oldest representation of these haunting stars..." Tony Maniarty, The Australian.

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisEve of the Festival is a detailed examination of Homeric myth-making in the first and longest dialogue of Penelope and Odysseus (Odyssey 19). This study makes a case for seeing virtuoso myth-making as an essential part of this conversation, a register of communication important for the interaction between the two speakers.

Read more less

Book SynopsisWhen this longtime Modern Library favorite--filled with fifty-two stories of heart-stopping suspense--was first published in 1944, one of its biggest fans was critic Edmund Wilson, who in The New Yorker applauded what he termed a sudden revival of the appetite for tales of horror. Represented in the anthology are such distinguished spell weavers as Edgar Allen Poe ('The Black Cat'), Wilkie Collins ('A Terribly Strange Bed'), Henry James ('Sir Edmund Orme'), Guy de Maupassant ('Was It a Dream?'), O. Henry ('The Furnished Room'), Rudyard Kipling ('They'), and H.G. Wells ('Pollock and the Porroh Man'). Included as well are such modern masters as Algernon Blackwood ('Ancient Sorceries'), Walter de la Mare ('Out of the Deep'), E.M. Forster ('The Celestial Omnibus'), Isak Dinesen ('The Sailor-Boys Tale'), H.P. Lovecraft ('The Dunwich Horror'), Dorothy L. Sayers ('Suspicion'), and Ernest Hemingway ('The Killers'). 'There is not a story in this collection that does not have the

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisAncient Chinese history is largely a legendary collection of mythical lore and annals written centuries after they occurred. These takes about Chinas beginnings reveal the heroic figures and rich storytelling traditions of Chinese culture including: Pangu opening heaven to save the earth from chaos Nuwa creating man and repairing the vault of heaven Fuxi fixing the calendar by observing the heavens Shennong creating agriculture Cangjie inventing writing thus creating the basis for Chinese culture. Fragments of these myths and legends are found in Chinese paintings, wood artifacts, relief carvings, and lacquer art which are illustrated in this book along with informative text. Anyone interested in Chinese culture, philosophy, history, or art will find this collection a must-have volume for their bookshelf.

Read more less

Book SynopsisTrade ReviewContemporary Korean Shamanism is ethnographically based, uses a wide range of sources and materials, and contains extensive interviews with shamans both female and male (Korean shamans are predominantly female). The book does not discuss in detail specific individual rituals or shamanistic traditions, all of which can be found in other sources. It is principally about the transformation of the image of a religious tradition and how this occurred. As such, it is of interest not only to ethnographers, folklorists, and students of religion, but also to scholars concerned with social and cultural change. -- James H. Grayson * Folklore *Table of ContentsAccessing Audiovisual MaterialsAcknowledgmentsNote on TransliterationIntroduction1. Gods on Stage: A Mediated Performance2. The Changing Image of Musok in Films3. Agendas, Power, and Ideology in Museum Displays of Korean Shamanism4. Getting to Know a Korean Shaman through Television Representations5. Shamans Online: Internet Promotion of Musok PractitionersConclusion: From Ritual to the World Wide Web and BackReferencesIndex

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisLord Cockburn, Victorian defender of Edinburgh’s beauties, describes Calton Hill as ‘the Glory of Edinburgh’. ‘It presents us,’ enthused Cockburn, ‘with the finest prospects both of its vicinity and the city… it is adorned by beautiful buildings dedicated to science and to the memory of distinguished men.’Following on from the success of Arthur’s Seat, the Journeys and Evocations series continues with a look at the events and folklore surrounding Edinburgh’s iconic Calton Hill. Standing only 338 ft (103m) high, this small hill offers a fascinating view of Edinburgh both literally and historically. The book brings together prose, poetry and photographic images to explore the Calton Hill’s role in radical and nationalist politics through the centuries, as well as taking a look at the buildings, philosophy and intrigue of a central part of Edinburgh’s landscape.

Read more less

Book SynopsisExperience the scenery and folklore of Edinburgh's iconic Old Town through new eyes in the latest installment in the Journeys and Evocations series. This blend of prose, poetry, photography and history is the perfect gift for any visitor to Scotland's capital city.Trade ReviewEdinburgh Old Town; Journeys and Evocations is a welcome addition to the seemingly endless explorations in print of a city which continues to fascinate and inspire citizens and visitor alike, and which will doubtless appeal to both. - EDINBURGH GUIDE

Read more less

Book Synopsis"Outstanding." - The Sunday Times "Beautifully written." The Times "Superbly adroit." The Spectator "Excellent." BBC History Magazine The Battle of Hastings and its aftermath nearly wiped out the leading families of Anglo-Saxon England – so what happened to the children this conflict left behind? Conquered offers a fresh take on the Norman Conquest by exploring the lives of those children, who found themselves uprooted by the dramatic events of 1066. Among them were the children of Harold Godwineson and his brothers, survivors of a family shattered by violence who were led by their courageous grandmother Gytha to start again elsewhere. Then there were the last remaining heirs of the Anglo-Saxon royal line – Edgar Ætheling, Margaret, and Christina – who sought refuge in Scotland, where Margaret became a beloved queen and saint. Other survivors, such as Waltheof of Northumbria and Fenland hero Hereward, became legendary for rebelling against the Norman conquerors. And then there were some, like Eadmer of Canterbury, who chose to influence history by recording their own memories of the pre-conquest world. From sagas and saints’ lives to chronicles and romances, Parker draws on a wide range of medieval sources to tell the stories of these young men and women and highlight the role they played in developing a new Anglo-Norman society. These tales – some reinterpreted and retold over the centuries, others carelessly forgotten over time – are ones of endurance, adaptation and vulnerability, and they all reveal a generation of young people who bravely navigated a changing world and shaped the country England was to become.Trade ReviewConquered is beautifully produced and written with flair and great scholarly acumen. -- John Carey * The Sunday Times *In her superbly adroit new history, Eleanor Parker examines how memories of Edgar and his like – the generation that straddled the Conquest – survived, or were melded to meet the needs of the time…. It is much to the credit of Parker’s sensitivity as a scholar that, almost 1,000 years later, she has been able to resurrect, often from silence, the pathos of those decades and the plight of those who endured them. -- Alex Burghart * The Spectator *This outstanding, beautifully written history follows the young Anglo-Saxons whose lives were shattered by the Norman conquest. -- Andrew Holgate and Robbie Millen * The Times, Best Books of 2022 *This excellent book offers an original premise: that there is much to learn by considering the children whose lives were upended by the Conquest… Parker insightfully shows how the experiences of these children of Anglo-Saxons (among others) illustrate the accommodations being made in England as conquered and conquerors adjusted to the new reality, and reframed the 1066 narrative for future generations. -- Dave Musgrove * BBC History Magazine *A child grasps a woman’s hand as they flee a house being torched by two men seemingly unconcerned for their plight. This image, embroidered onto the Bayeux Tapestry several years after 1066, is a hauntingly timeless reminder of the devastation warfare and conquest can wreak on individuals, families and communities... Conquered narrates their stories vividly and knowledgably in a refreshing departure from popular narratives of the Norman Conquest, which concentrate on the political and military concerns of adult men. -- Emily J. Ward * Times Literary Supplement *Fascinating and accessible. -- Sarah Foot * The Church Times *This book is a revelation. What it demonstrates is the international inter-connectedness of the pre-Norman secular and ecclesiastical aristocracy. -- Duncan Bowie * The Chartist *It is hard to criticise such a welcome addition to the literature. It remains an excellent book. -- Julian Calcagno * Parergon *Eleanor Parker has written an innovative book in clear and evocative language. She invites the reader to engage with an idea we do not often consider—that many of the European historical sources from the late-11th century were written by people whose childhoods were defined by the Norman Conquest. Parker’s use of Icelandic Sagas and other non-English texts shows us the world in which these “conquered” children lived and worked, exploring how their stories continued past 1066 and its aftermath. * Dr Janet Kay, Associate Research Scholar and Lecturer, Department of Art and Archaeology, Princeton University, USA *Eleanor Parker brings to life what the upheaval of the Norman Conquest meant for men and women in England. Following the personal experiences of individuals, she eloquently evokes the loss and uncertainty of the age. This is a book of rich stories of misfortune, perseverance and adaptability, told in an accessible yet authoritative voice. * Dr Rory Naismith, Department of Anglo-Saxon, Norse and Celtic and Fellow of Corpus Christi College, University of Cambridge, UK *Table of ContentsList of Illustrations Acknowledgements Genealogical Tables Introduction 1. Hero of the English: Hereward 2. A Sparrow in the Snare: Margaret of Scotland 3. A Lost Generation: The Grandchildren of Gytha and Godwine 4. Warrior, Traitor, and Martyr: Waltheof 5. Child of Memory: Eadmer of Canterbury Epilogue: New Englands Bibliography Index

Read more less

Book SynopsisWe're only just beginning to realize that Bronze Age people knew far more about astronomy and engineering than we have given them credit for. Reading like a thriller, The Goddess, the Grail and the Lodge shows what Grail Knowledge really was and is.

Read more less

Book SynopsisFollowing an introduction that provides a short history of the language of flowers, a fad which reached its peak during the reign of Queen Victoria, each uniquely illustrated and designed entry is an enjoyable read full of history and little-known facts.

Read more less

Book SynopsisLegend has it that the magical Tuatha Dé Danann came on the wind from Tír na nÓg (The Land of Youth) and landed in Roscommon, on the Curlew Mountains. It was from here that they spread throughout Ireland and some say that it is they who created the soul of the Irish and who imbued all who came after with the Irish Spirit. They were hot-tempered, strong, brave, daring and often rash and many of their deeds are captured in this collection of tales from across the country. Also featured here are intriguing stories of a vanishing lake, Oileán na Sioga (The Fairy Island), and the miracles of St Kieran, along with darker tales of the battles of Queen Méabh, the Monster of Lough Rea, and the story of Betty of Roscommon, Ireland’s first (and only) hang woman – not to mention the fantastical accounts of encounters with leprechauns, pookas, giants and banshees. Roscommon has as many stories as there are people travelling its roads, passed down from generation to generation, and a wealth of them are gathered together here in this unique volume.

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe definitive reference book on Ireland's cultural and religious heritage. Ireland has one of the finest cultural heritages and a standard reference book combining the related subjects of folklore, myth, legend and romance is long overdue. There are 350 substantial entries, in alphabetical order from Abán, a 6th-century saint, to Weather, all with full references to sources, a synopsis of relevant stories, and discussion of their origin, nature and development. These are complimented by a genre-list of material under various headings, such as Mythical Lore, Fianna Cycle, Ulster Cycle, King Cycles, Peoples and Traditions, Religious Lore, and Folk Custom and Belief. There is also a wealth of genealogical detail, indicating how historical and social circumstances have influenced the growth and spread of Irish lore. DAITHI O HOGAIN, Associate Professor of Irish Folklore at University College Dublin, was an international authority on folklore and traditional literature.Trade ReviewAn exhaustive collection of folktales and history from the Emerald Isle. An essential resource about Ireland's legends. * RENAISSANCE MAGAZINE *Superb from beginning to end. [...] Essential for all scholars of Ireland's mythology. * FORTEAN TIMES *With its profusion of atmospheric allusions and spirited retellings, grounded in a scholarly acuity, [it] adds up to a complex delineation of an ancient, reimagined and still functioning cultural terrain. * TLS *An invaluable resource for Hibernophiles. This is a refreshing and reasonably priced new treatment of Ireland's lore. * CHOICE *

Read more less

Book SynopsisA Pulitzer-nominated author and one of the great public intellectuals of Slavic culture bring to life the unfamiliar myths and legends of the Slavic world. Slavic cultures are far-ranging, comprising of East Slavs (Russia, Ukraine, Belarus), West Slavs (Czech Republic, Slovakia, Poland) and South Slavs (the countries of former Yugoslavia plus Bulgaria), yet they are connected by tales of adventure and magic with deep roots in a common lore. In this first collection of Slavic myths for an international readership, Noah Charney and Svetlana SlapÅak expertly weave together a retelling of the ancient stories with nuanced analysis that illuminates their place at the heart of Slavic tradition. Though less familiar to us than the legends of ancient Egypt, Greece and Scandinavia, in the world of Slavic mythology we find much that we can recognize: petulant deities, demons and faeries; witches, the sinister vestica, whose magic may harm or heal; a supreme god who can summon storms and hTrade Review'Combines analysis with celebration, context with storytelling, academic debate with new versions of some of the great folktales which emerged long, long ago from the crucible of the Carpathian Mountains ... a welcome entree into the intricate world of Slavic mythology, with plenty of esoteric facts to get your teeth into, stories to be read aloud at the witching hour, and memorable back-and-white woodcut illustrations' - Sir Christopher Frayling'Delightfully dark and whimsical, this collection of eight folk tales from Slavic mythology unearths the bones of the original stories, boldly forcing us to question what we know about a mostly oral tradition that has been silenced for far too long' - Olesya Salnikova Gilmore, author of THE WITCH AND THE TSAR'A compelling and illuminating introduction to Slavic mythology, through a rich medley of stories, discussion and striking illustrations' - Sophie Anderson, author of The House with Chicken Legs'This book, with its dramatic illustrations, will go a long way to enlarging western ideas about Eastern Europe … great things have come from [Slavic myths] in the past and will do in the future' - The Irish CatholicTable of ContentsIntroduction The Slav Epic: How the 19th Century Established Slavic Mythology “Black Butterfly” Vampires “At Stake” Werewolves “Threshold” Libuse and Women at the Threshold “Do Not Weep” Don’t Mess with a Goddess: Three Versions of the Great Goddess Among the Slavs “Ilya Muromets in Defense of Kiev” Perun: The Supreme God in Heaven and the Heroes on Earth “The Waterman” Creatures of the Waters “Firebird” Slavic Magic: Spells, Magicians, Enchanted Animals, Plants and Treasures Conclusion

Read more less

Book SynopsisFollowing the trail of the best-selling Grandma's Bag of Stories, India's favourite author Sudha Murty brings to you this collection of immortal tales. Wonderfully woven in her inimitable style, this book is unputdownable and perfect for every child's bookshelf!

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisA boastful bunny is bested by a resolute reptile in a race revealing the delights of determination and the perils of postponement

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe Food and Folklore Reader is the first comprehensive introduction to folklore methods and concepts relevant to food. Mapping the study of food through key sources in folkloristics, the forty readings span the entire discipline: from seminal works on identity and aesthetics, to innovative scholarship on contemporary food issues such as food security and culinary tourism. The book also features:- Expert commentary and comprehensive introductions to each of the book's five parts by renowned folklorist and food scholar Lucy M. Long- Global coverage, with examples from the United States, Canada, Australia, Europe, Jewish and Filipino culture, and much more- Questions for discussion and suggestions for further reading supporting learning and encouraging students to explore these ideas in their own workDefinitive in scale and scope, this book defines the field of food and folklore for a new generation of students. An essential resource for all students in food studies, folklore Trade Review[Lucy M.] Long has culled the archives of the field, using seminal works that define folklore as well as articles that explore more contemporary issues such as food security and culinary tourism … She does an admirable job covering diverse food cultures with examples from the many ethnic identities within the United States, Canada, Australia, Sweden, Jewish and Arab cultures, and many more … an admirable job of collecting these articles on how to study the vast and ever growing world of food and culture chiefly from Folklore’s foodways perspectives. * Digest: A Journal of Foodways and Culture *This collection is sure to appeal to students in many disciplines, and really to anyone interested in the meaning of food. Accessible but sophisticated, the chapters start with foundational work, and then show us new angles on many familiar topics, from Spam to fruitcake, and draw us into the richness of contemporary folkloristics. This book belongs on every food scholar's shelves. -- Richard Wilk, Indiana University, USAWant to understand why food is so important? Read this book. Expertly curated by Lucy Long, The Food and Folklore Reader traces the history of the field and details the depth and breadth of food in the vernacular. Appealing and accessible to the general reader, it is a must have for food studies scholars. -- Amy Bentley, New York University, USAFolklore was one of the earliest disciplines to take food seriously and engage with popular disputations around literal taste. This excellent anthology reminds us of the insights that can be garnered in pursuing the productive methodologies and concepts in folkloristics. It is brimming with pedagogical tools for teaching about food, culture and society. -- Krishnendu Ray, New York University, USAThis is a major resource for the rapidly growing field of foodways and its study by folklorists. Opening with the pioneering work of Don Yoder in the 70s and closing with her own recent work on culinary tourism, Lucy Long casts a wide net as editor of this rich and diverse set of readings. From Jewish cuisine in the Mississippi Delta to the Dog’s Eye Pie in Australia, Long leaves no stone unturned. Essential reading for understanding food worlds. -- William Ferris, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, USAFood and Folklore Reader is an excellent contribution to the study of food from the distinctive angle that folklore provides. * Folklore *Table of ContentsGeneral Introduction Part 1: Foundations: History, Definitions, and Methodologies Introduction to Part One Discussion Questions References and Further Reading Readings Part 2: Food in Groups, Community, and Identity Introduction to Part One Discussion Questions References and Further Reading Readings Part 3: Food as Art, Symbol, and Ritual Introduction to Part One Discussion Questions References and Further Reading Readings Part 4: Food as Communication, Performance, and Power Introduction to Part One Discussion Questions References and Further Reading Readings Part 5: Food in Public and Applied Folklore Introduction to Part One Discussion Questions References and Further Reading Readings Appendix of Sources Index

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisYoung children will love these colouring books featuring simple illustrations of a variety of Scottish themes. This colouring book will introduce budding artists to the some of Scotland's most famous mythical beasts, including unicorns, Nessie and more!

Read more less

Book SynopsisHow dangerous were fairies? In the late seventeenth century, they could still scare people to death. Little wonder, as they were thought to be descended from fallen angels, and to have the power to destroy the world itself. Such beliefs, along with some remarkably detailed sightings, lingered on well into the twentieth century. In literature and art fairies often retained this edge of danger. From the wild magic of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, through the dark glamour of Keats, to the improbably erotic poem `Goblin Market’ or the paintings inspired by opium dreams, the amoral otherness of the fairies ran side-by-side with the newly delicate or feminized creations of the Victorian world. In the past thirty years the enduring link between fairies and nature has been robustly exploited by eco-warriors and conservationists, from Ireland to Iceland. This book, now available in paperback, tells the story of the many fairy terrors that lay behind Titania or Tinkerbell.Trade Review'[An] engrossing new book.'-Seattle Times; 'Richard Sugg wants to disabuse you of any nonsense you may harbour about fairies being small, whimsical and affectionate . . . Sugg writes well, and amusingly, about the evolution of fairies from Terror to Tinkerbell.'-Toronto Star; 'Sugg's book is in itself a kind of bewitchment, shimmering and eloquent, written with a certain ironic awareness and in the spirit of surrender to unknowing.'-The Australian

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe world''s oldest work of literature, the Epic of Gilgamesh recounts the adventures of the semimythical Sumerian king of Uruk and his ultimately futile quest for immortality after the death of his friend and companion, Enkidu, a wildman sent by the gods. Gilgamesh was deified by the Sumerians around 2500 BCE, and his tale as we know it today was codified in cuneiform tablets around 1750 BCE and continued to influence ancient cultureswhether in specific incidents like a world-consuming flood or in its quest structureinto Roman times. The epic was, however, largely forgotten, until the cuneiform tablets were rediscovered in 1872 in the British Museum''s collection of recently unearthed Mesopotamian artifacts. In the decades that followed its translation into modern languages, the Epic of Gilgamesh has become a point of reference throughout Western culture.In Gilgamesh among Us, Theodore Ziolkowski explores the surprising legacy of the poem and its hero, aTrade ReviewThis book represents a fascinating foray—written by a scholar known for his scrupulous research, clarity of expression, subtlety and wit—into the relatively new field of reception history. It offers us a complex history of the reception of the Gilgamesh cycle, rather than an analysis of the constitutive role played by an ancient epic in the emerging modern world. -- Louis A. Ruprecht, Jr. * Journal of the American Academy of Religion *Ziolkowski brings together an extraordinary assemblage of creative endeavors—literary, musical and artistic—all bound in some way to the ancient poem recovered by Assyriology.... Gilgamesh's emergence into the company of what are now identified as the 'great books’ is fully explained by the reception history that Ziolkowski describes. -- Andrew R. George * Reviews in History *Ziolkowski's treatment [of the reception of the epic of Gilgamesh] is immensely thorough and supported by rich documentation. He sees the story of Gilgamesh as 'a finely tuned seismograph whose reception registers to a significant degree many of the major intellectual upheavals of the past century.' Highly recommended. * Choice *Table of ContentsIntroduction The Story * The Text * The Rediscovery * The Early Translations1. The Initial Reception (1884–1935) The First Literarization * Babel and Bible * The German Connection * The Spread of the Epic2. Representative Beginnings (1941–1958) Modes of Modernization * Four Poets in English * Four German Initiatives * A Major German Thematization * The First Musical Settings3. The Popularization of Gilgamesh (1959–1978) Poetic Adaptations * The First Fictionalization * The Gay Gilgamesh * Gilgamesh and the Philosophers * A Comic Interlude * Three American Fictional Exuberances * The Operatic Gilgamesh4. The Contemporization of Gilgamesh (1979–1999) New Contexts * Gilgamesh Psychoanalyzed * Gilgamesh Deconstructed * Gilgamesh Historicized * Gilgamesh Drums for the Greens * Gilgamesh Postfigured * Gilgamesh Personalized * Gilgamesh Hispanicized * Gilgameshiana * Gilgamesh at Millennium's End5. Gilgamesh in the Twenty-First Century (2000–2009) Poetic Versions in English and French * A New Focus * Gilgamesh as Ritual Drama * Two Fictional Re-Visions * The Politicization of GilgameshConclusionChronology Notes Index

Read more less

Book SynopsisHaunting tales that can be enjoyed by readers time and again

Read more less

Book SynopsisRichly illustrated with thirty original drawings, these enchanting tales will appeal to everyone interested in nature and in environmental conservation and will be enjoyed by readers, storytellers and listeners time and again.

Read more less

Book SynopsisWestern Isles Folk Tales is a representative collection of stories from the geographical span of the long chain of islands known as the Outer Hebrides. Some are well-known tales and others have been sought out by the author, but all are retold in the natural voice of a local man. You will find premonitions, accounts of uncanny events and mythical beings, such as the blue men of the stream who test mariners venturing into the tidal currents around the Shiant Islands. Also included are tales from islands now uninhabited, like the archipelago of St Kilda, in contrast to the witty yarns from bustling harbours. The author was the inaugural winner of the Robert Louis Stevenson Fellowship (1995) and his Acts of Trust collaboration with visual artist Christine Morrison won the multi-arts category in the first British Awards for Storytelling Excellence (2012). Both author and illustrator live in Stornoway, Isle of Lewis.

Read more less

Book SynopsisFor anyone interested in Greek antiquity this booklet is as it says on the back cover: All you need to know about the island's myths, legends and its gods.

Read more less

Book SynopsisThey may be coated in layers of myth and pious anecdote but dig deep enough and the pioneering leaders of Celtic Christianity are revealed as reassuringly human individuals, responding to their faith by deliberately living on the edges of society. From the goddess-nun Brigid and absent-minded Cainnech to severe ascetics such as Columbanus and Baldred, together they demonstrate a close connection with the natural world, an astonishing self-discipline and, above all, a rigorous commitment to what it meant to be ‘pilgrims for Christ’. Establishing a network of influential monastic communities, they travelled from the territories of the Atlantic seaboard – Ireland, Wales and Cornwall – across Scotland, the north of England and deep into continental Europe, transforming the religious experience of all they encountered.

Read more less

Book SynopsisAn exploration of the Black Moon Lilith placement in astrology—a widely searched yet underserved topic—that reclaims the misunderstood archetype of Lilith and shows you how to use her energy for empowerment and transformation.Black Moon Lilith Rising is unlike any other astrology book out there on multiple fronts: it is a comprehensive exploration of the placement of Lilith in astrology, it’s a deep exploration into the misunderstood myth and archetype of Lilith, and it incorporates shadow work and spiritual alchemy. The book begins with an ode to Lilith, anecdotal stories surrounding the author’s experience with the energy, the history, and mythology behind the Lilith archetype. Lilith has been demonized, known as the first rebellious, disobedient woman, but in fact she is a powerful, sovereign being. By untwisting the truth about her energy, the world can heal the suppressed feminine, balance the power dynamic, and ascend. It details how Black Moon Lilith can be integrated practically for empowerment and life transformation. It then moves through an in-depth astrological analysis covering Black Moon Lilith through the 12 zodiac signs and houses. Planetary and angular aspects are then layered on explaining how Lilith can affect the other energies in the birth chart in an impactful way. Finally, the book guides the reader through shadow work with Lilith and outlines a Spiritual Alchemy practice for 13 days, as 13 is the number of the divine feminine.

Read more less

Book SynopsisWith their remarkable behaviours and unique anatomy, it's hardly surprising that octopuses have captivated our imagination for centuries. But there is so much more to this misunderstood and spellbinding creature. Unravel the secrets of this astonishing animal and explore its mystifying world with The Little Book of the Octopus.

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisA collection of folk stories about art, money, drugs and love told first hand by the songwriter and storyteller Beans on Toast. Beans is a legend and I love himKae TempestOne of England's most loved troubadoursBlaine HarrisonA voice I'll always pay attention to, and you should tooFrank Turner

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisHarperCollins is proud to present its incredible range of best-loved, essential classics.

Read more less

Book SynopsisFull of giants, trolls, heroes, and beautiful princesses, these 42 folktales include such favorites as Dapplegrim, Tatterhood, Katie Woodencloak, and Soria Moria Castle, plus many less known, such as The Werewolf, Such Women Are, The Three Dogs, Temptations, King Gram, The Magici

Read more less

a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

Read more less

Book SynopsisSet in a wild and immaculate landscape threatened by industry and environmental degradation, a compassionate and gripping exploration of one of the world’s most baffling mysteries—the existence of the SasquatchTrade ReviewPraise for In the Valleys of the Noble Beyond:Finalist for the Edna Staebler Creative Nonfiction Award An Amazon Best Book of the Year Named a Must-Read Book of 2019 by Book Riot“Books on supernatural phenomena typically steer one of two courses: tabloid gullibility or mean-spirited debunkery. Zada deftly tightropes between the two . . . In the Valleys of the Noble Beyond is not really about sasquatch. It is about how we see what we want to see and don’t see what we’re not prepared to see . . . A quirky and oddly captivating tale.”—Eric Weiner, Washington Post“An adventure story in the tradition of Paul Theroux and, in parts, Jon Krakauer . . . Zada is a latter-day Henry David Thoreau or John Muir . . . Searching for an elusive ape, Zada has a knack for meeting unforgettable humans.”—Peter Kuitenbrouwer, Globe and Mail“If people can believe in God, why not Sasquatch? Zada takes us through the temperate rainforest of British Columbia looking for both the hairy bipedal and the mythology and landscape surrounding it. Terrific nature writing with a furry twist.”—Kerri Arsenault, Orion “Full of dramatic, tense chase scenes—the book is, quite literally, an adventure story.”—Nick Ripatrazone, The Millions“Zada wonders only in passing about how big Bigfoot’s feet are or how richly the creature may stink. His concerns are more metaphysical: What does it mean to believe in something absurd, something that eludes any effort to prove its existence? Roaming through the First Nations communities of coastal British Columbia, Zada camps out at the foggy junction of lore and fact. He’s a disarming travel companion, and his curiosity is contagious.”—Dan Piepenbring, Paris Review“As eloquent and big-hearted as, for instance, Peter Matthiessen’s The Snow Leopard . . . Despite the towering creature at its heart, the genius of In the Valleys of the Noble Beyond is most often its human pathos . . . Odd, winning gravitas . . . The shelf of serious, beautifully done Bigfoot books isn’t exactly a crowded one, but it now has an indisputable classic.”—Steve Donoghue, Open Letters Monthly“Less the hooting and wood-knocking sensationalism of Finding Bigfoot (though that show certainly has its charms) than Robert Michael Pyles’s Where Bigfoot Walks, another book that leans toward respectability with its emphasis on natural history. Zada’s entry is a beautifully rendered account of a mist-shrouded world suspended between myth and modernity: its people, culture, ecology, and for receptive readers, its most mysterious denizen.”—Jon Foro, Amazon Book Review“In seeking to discover Bigfoot, Zada uncovers a different story, one that’s about all of us . . . [In the Valleys of the Noble Beyond] belongs among the travel memoirs. It’s literature.”—Oklahoman“For lovers of nature writing who also definitely want to know about the Sasquatch (so, everyone).”—Emily Temple, Literary Hub“Zada writes engagingly in the tradition of the best travel writers with genuine feeling for this anachronistic humanoid symbol of the lost world.”—Fortean Times“Bigfoot lives—maybe, as this X-Files-worthy tale reveals . . . Traveling deep into the old-growth forests of British Columbia, [Zada] had a look for himself, and it’s not too much of a spoiler to say that he adds to the seen/unproven inventory . . . Believe or don’t, the author writes nimbly and well, and his story is modest and evenhanded even as he lets us know just where he stands. An entertaining, provocative exercise in cryptozoology.”—Kirkus Reviews“In this fascinating nature narrative, freelance writer Zada searches for evidence of Bigfoot in the forests of the Pacific Northwest . . . Zada relates his adventures, including his encounters with bears, along with his observations into the collective unconscious of humans and how brains construct reality . . . Zada’s fun, well-written travelogue will interest environmentalists and armchair adventurers alike.”—Publishers Weekly“Zada strikes an engaging balance between curiosity and skepticism, letting the locals’ convincing stories speak for themselves while probing the science behind misperceptions and cultural beliefs. While fringe-watchers will relish Zada’s Sasquatch research, nature buffs will also enjoy his lush descriptions of the Canadian Pacific Northwest wilderness.”—Booklist“John Zada is one of those rare writers who conjures spellbinding prose through an acute sense of nature’s significance and the mythologies we all inhabit. A profound debut.”—Robert Twigger, author of White Mountain: A Cultural Adventure through the Himalayas and Red Nile: A Biography of the World’s Greatest River“In the world of travel writing there are two kinds of author. The first writes from the outside in, at best only scratching the surface of the lands through which they travel. The second kind of author writes in a profound and elegant way, the narrative charged with humility—observed from the inside out. John Zada is an author of the second approach—from the school of master travel writers. His prose is an utter delight, and his observances are shrewd and often extraordinary. But most of all, Zada has the ability to suck readers in deep, so that they’re right there with him on the trail of the Sasquatch. I recommend In the Valleys of the Noble Beyond more highly than any other travel book I have read in years. With time it will become a classic, and Zada will be recognized as the foremost chronicler of what is surely one of the most beguiling preserves in all adventure.”—Tahir Shah, author of In Arabian Nights and The Caliph’s House“Finally a truly talented writer approaches a subject matter that has been otherwise relegated to a cultural punchline thanks to, primarily, reality television. John Zada’s quest for this holy grail and his compulsion for emotional narrative is nothing less than a modern-day mythical journey; and he shares it with us in a perfect blend of poetic prose and creative story-telling. I took this journey myself when I began producing ten documentary films on the subject of Bigfoot and John completely captures the essence of what you experience: the landscape first, followed by the people and their rich culture, and finally the human mind as it tries to make sense of what might be the world's most bewildering phenomenon. Only after that journey is completed, as John did, does one finally meet the creature itself.”—Survivorman Les Stroud“A fascinating and unique account of the Bigfoot phenomenon that is equal parts memoir, psychology, travelogue, cultural commentary and manifesto on nature. Totally gripping and unputdownable. Destined to be a classic of adventure and a standout among the more conventional works on the Sasquatch.”—Jason Webster, author of A Death in Valencia

Read more less

Book SynopsisLearn about the origins of stories about the Round Table, Excalibur and Camelot in this informative full-colour guide, exploring the mysterious King Arthur and the accompanying images of power, chivalry and romance.

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisFrom the stories of wives and their lovers to those of kings and their conquests, to the overarching story of Shahrazad and Shahryar, the tales of the Arabian Nights have offered countless audiences entertainment and enjoyment as well as serving as cautionary stories. An outstanding piece of world literature, the Arabian Nights provide a lively and interesting way of exploring aspects of sexuality, romance, gender, culture, wealth, and politics. Looking at a wide range of the tales, David Ghanim offers a rigorous exploration of their profound sexuality: looking at both the context in which they were written and organised, as well as their legacy. By including accounts of heterosexuality, homosexuality, cuckoldry, insatiable lust, promiscuity, rape, incest, bestiality, demonic sexuality, and erotica, Ghanim highlights the complexity and dynamism of medieval sexuality, the active role of women in sexual activities, and the prevailing positive outlook on sexual liaison and gender mixing.Trade Review'In this daring and insightful work, David Ghanim offers an intensive and perceptive analytical exploration and expounding of the sexual facets in the Nights, adding to his repertoire of serious and reflective studies of various aspects of gender in Middle Eastern cultures. He highlights and elucidates the still considered tabued issues of sexuality and erotica in a variety of contexts.' Hasan el-Shamy, Indiana University'An interesting and comprehensive picture of the rich, lively, and in some ways astonishingly permissive variety of sexual relations in the medieval Middle East. By providing an illuminating portrayal of the vibrant intellectual life of the urban elites, and medieval classical Arabic literature and anecdotes, the book offers a historical context that would challenge many prevalent perceptions about life in the region.' Haideh Moghissi, York University, Toronto'David Ghanim's book is an excellent exploration of perhaps the most central theme linking the various tales in One Thousand and One Nights, the varieties and vicissitudes of human sexuality, particularly how women assert their power.' Daniel Beaumont, University of Rochester, New York'In its information so painstakingly gathered, this book is by any standards both revealing and gripping. The author clearly knows his subject.' Abdul Sattar Jawad, Duke University, North CarolinaTable of Contents1. Alluring sexuality; 2. Inexorable sexuality; 3. Insatiable lust; 4. Demonic sexuality; 5. Rape and incest; 6. Promiscuous life; 7. Transgressive adultery; 8. Sexual perfidy; 9. Tales of cuckoldry; 10. Lesbian encounter; 11. Tempting pederasty; 12. Hedonistic narrative.

Read more less