Folklore studies / Study of myth Books

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Book SynopsisIntroduce your little one to fables and fairy tales from around the world with this spellbinding series of board books for children. Every day, an old woman fetches water from the river using two pots. One of the pots leaks, but the old woman sees the good that the leaking pot brings to the world. This charming re-telling of the Chinese tale is the perfect length for bedtime reading and Maja Andersen''s colourful illustrations bring the magic and wonder of the tale to life. It is sure to be a storybook that little ones will treasure forever.

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Book SynopsisINCLUDES HUNDREDS OF NEW AND EXPANDED ENTRIES From ‘Aald Rock’ to ‘Zeenty-teenty’, A Dictionary of Scottish Phrase and Fable is an unputdownable gallimaufry of curious items embracing sayings, put-downs, insults, mottos, traditions, legends, folklore, customs, festivals, games, songs, dances, nicknames – and much, much more. This new edition features many expanded entries, as well as completely new ones – including Big Tam, the Third Forth Bridge, the Loony Dook and the War of the One-eyed Woman. The result is a kaleidoscopic snapshot of the Scottish nation, both past and present, from the mythical origins of the Scots in ancient Scythia to the foibles of modern Follyrood, from Sawney Bean to Oor Wullie, from ‘The end of an old song’ to ‘Aw fur coat and nae knickers’, from The Heart of Midlothian to ‘Ye cannae shove yer granny aff a bus’. In more than 4,500 such entries, A Dictionary of Scottish Phrase and Fable weaves an endlessly entertaining tapestry incorporating the texture and fabric of a nation’s ever-shifting sense of itself.Trade Review'Wilfully idiosyncratic yet curiously useful . . . A lightly erudite and well-informed work of eclectic scholarship' * Times Literary Supplement *'Compelling and quirky . . . under Ian Crofton’s eye, the rollicking spirit of Scotland, old and modern, comes proudly alive . . . A lifesaver for those in need of diversion and enlightenment' * Sunday Herald *'This is such a linguistic and etymological treasure trove that once picked up it is virtually impossible to put down' * Scottish Field *'A book that will provide many happy hours of dipping into . . . A sheer joy' * Scottish Life *'It is nigh impossible to reach the item you first set out to read without being sidetracked by other beguiling morsels' * The Herald *'A fascinating collection of words, phrases and stories' * Dundee Courier *

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Book SynopsisDID YOU HEAR ABOUT THE KIDS WHO FOUND A FERRARI BURIED IN THEIR GARDEN? WHAT ABOUT THE MAN WHO SUED SATAN? DO YOU KNOW THE LEGEND OF THE BUNNY MAN? Strange happenings, unsolved mysteries and seemingly supernatural events have gripped and shocked us for centuries, passed from person to person in whispers in classrooms, tales around the campfire and idle gossip among friends. Whether they’re based on a grain of truth or a complete flight of fancy, the myths, legends and weird tales contained within this book will take you on a fascinating journey to the outer limits of plausibility, and dare you to believe the unbelievable.

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Book SynopsisBeginning in the East, with its Ice Age monsters, and ending in the West, where dinosaurs lived and died, this richly illustrated and elegantly written book examines the discoveries of enormous bones in North America and uses of fossils for medicine, hunting magic, and spells.Trade Review"Mayor’s book is a fascinating exploration of how Indigenous peoples across Turtle Island held, and still hold, knowledge of fossils. Indigenous peoples observed the remains of enormous creatures found embedded in our land—from dinosaurs to giant buffalo—and integrated these findings into our ways of knowing. Mayor’s coupling of Indigenous stories of legendary beings to specific fossils, bone beds, and species makes this a must-read for anyone who thinks that the wisdom held in Indigenous oral traditions is anything less than science."---Kent Monkman, award-winning Cree visual artist"Mayor the storyteller relishes the opportunity to provide fascinating insights, but she shines most in her ability to stitch together a rich and varied body of oral history grounded in natural history. . . . Mayor clearly thrives at the intersection of science and folklore."---Bryn Nelson, Newsday"Marshaling the array of evidence available from scholarly and popular works, and contributing her own research, Mayor shows that far from ignoring fossils, many Native American groups took great notice of them and developed elaborate myths to explain their origin. . . . Though Mayor is careful not to homogenize native myths, she does note that virtually all of them exhibit a sense of 'deep time,' as geologists call it: an awareness that the world has existed for far longer than humans have walked it."---Eric A. Powell, Archaeology"Fossil Legends of the First Americans presents an interesting, intriguing and informative text, written in a fun, accessible way that will appeal to a wide audience, without scaring off the scientific community. The manner in which fossils legends and Native American tales are dealt with, is as original. . . . Adrienne Mayor has based her book on a substantial amount of relevant, up-to-date and to-the-point research data, and as such commands the reader's indulgence."---C. van Kooten, PaleoArchaeology"Through remarkably wide-ranging research, Mayor has recovered the fascinating story of how various tribes encountered and interpreted dinosaur bones and other remains of early life. . . . [She] illuminates the surprisingly relevant views of early peoples confronting evidence of prehistoric life. . . . This pioneering work replaces cultural estrangement with belated understanding." * Booklist *"Few books have had such an influence on my thinking as Adrienne Mayor’s book on fossil legends of the New World. For one thing, it invites one to ask how anyone can make old stories about old bones both so interesting and so worthwhile. . . . What Mayor has done is astonishing. She has been so thorough that it’s difficult to imagine anyone ever writing a more definitive book on her subject. . . . A hundred years from now, this book will surely continue to be read, consulted, and mined for data. I would not want to be a piece of data seeking to escape her attention. . . . Mayor not only shows how these stories cast light on cultural history but also demonstrates repeatedly that they anticipated many of the views of modern scientists."---Paul Barber, Journal of American Folklore

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Book SynopsisMonstrous Tales is a collection of traditional folktales about bewitching and bloodthirsty creatures.Translated and transcribed in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, these tales celebrate the diversity of—and surprising resonances among—folklore traditions around the world.Welcome to a world of magical adventure: a mysterious wolf pursues a bridegroom through a dark forest, a princess is trapped in a monster''s body, and a dragon is coming with a storm in its wake.• The tales come alive alongside spellbinding contemporary art by Chinese illustrator Sija Hong.• Each story transports readers to a different enthralling world.• Part of the popular Tales series, featuring Tales of Japan, Celtic Tales, and Tales of IndiaAs readers roam from Japan to Nigeria and Ireland to Guyana, they''ll witness deadly pacts, heroic feats, and otherworldly journeys.Features tales from Australia, China, Estonia, Finland, France, Great Sioux Nation, Guyana, Iceland, India, Inuit Nunangat, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Nigeria, Philippines, Pueblo of Isleta, Scotland, South Africa, Syria, Turkey, and Ukraine.• A special illustrated edition, complete with an embossed, textured case and a ribbon marker• Perfect gift for fairy tale and folklore lovers, fans of monsters and creatures, collectors of illustrated classics, adults and teens alike, and bibliophiles• A visually gorgeous book that will be at home on the shelf or on the coffee table• Great for those who enjoyed books like Through the Woods by Emily Carroll; The World of Lore: Monstrous Creatures by Aaron Mahnke; and Giants, Monsters, and Dragons: An Encyclopedia of Folklore, Legend, and Myth by Carol Rose

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Book SynopsisFolk tales from Britain’s many forests and woodlands selected for 7-11 year olds

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Book SynopsisAn exhaustive investigation of the case of Gef, a “talking mongoose” or “man-weasel,” who appeared to a family living on the Isle of Man.“I am the fifth dimension! I am the eighth wonder of the world!”During the mid-1930s, British and overseas newspapers were full of incredible stories about Gef, a “talking mongoose” or “man-weasel” who had allegedly appeared in the home of the Irvings, a farming family in a remote district of the Isle of Man. The creature was said to speak in several languages, to sing, to steal objects from nearby farms, and to eavesdrop on local people.Despite written reports, magazine articles and books, several photographs, fur samples and paw prints, voluminous correspondence, and signed eyewitness statements, there is still no consensus as to what was really happening to the Irving family.Was it a hoax? An extreme case of folie à plusieurs? A poltergeist? The possession of an animal by an evil spirit? Now you can read all the evidence and decide for yourself. Seven years'' research and interviews, photographs (many previously unseen), interviews with surviving witnesses, visits to the site—all are presented in this book, the first examination of the case for seventy years.In the words of its mischievous, enigmatic subject, “If you knew what I know, you''d know a hell of a lot!"

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Book SynopsisCONNECT TO THE MAGIC OF THE EARTH. This powerful and beautiful deck is a portal to inner healing, love and connection. Each colourful card is infused with crystals, plants, trees, flowers and the sacred language of light, as intuited by Katie-Jane Wright. Plants represent growth; flowers, discovery; crystals, depth. Together they hold the keys to help you dive deeper to past lives, unite with the elementals and the energy of inner earth. 50 stunning, unique cards connect you to the magic at your feet. A detailed guidebook explains the energy of each card and how to work with the deck, including a ceremony for awakening its magic, and information on details threaded through the cards: the hidden golden keys, the elementals and the seven colour rays. Try various recommended spreads to direct your intuition - the Chakra Spread, the Elements of Change Spread or the Earth Dragon Grounding Spread. Mother Earth is calling and it's time to listen. What messages does she have for you?

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Book SynopsisTaking inspiration from the incomparably beautiful and intense poetry of Homer, Aeschylus, Sophocles and Euripides, Spurling - a lifelong classicist and historical novelist - spins five more myths for contemporary readers.

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Book SynopsisTrade Review"This handsome illustrated hardback selects folktales from the Indian regions of Bengal, Punjab and Tamil Nedu. [...] The main draw is the full-colour illustrations (one for each story) by Goan artists Svahbu Kohli and Viplov Singh. Slightly cartoonish, they’re hugely charming." SFX Magazine

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Book SynopsisFrom wicked queens, beautiful princesses, elves, monsters, and goblins to giants, glass slippers, poisoned apples, magic keys, and mirrors, the characters and images of fairy tales have cast a spell over readers and audiences, both adults and children, for centuries. These fantastic stories have travelled across cultural borders, and been passed on from generation to generation, ever-changing, renewed with each re-telling. Few forms of literature have greater power to enchant us and rekindle our imagination than a fairy tale. But what is a fairy tale? Where do they come from and what do they mean? What do they try and communicate to us about morality, sexuality, and society? The range of fairy tales stretches across great distances and time; their history is entangled with folklore and myth, and their inspiration draws on ideas about nature and the supernatural, imagination and fantasy, psychoanalysis, and feminism. Marina Warner has loved fairy tales over a long writing life, and she Trade Reviewdynamic history * Guardian *10 concise, gripping chapters - the one on Magic and Metamorphosis is particularly fascinating. * The Lady *slim but highly readable volume * Shropshire Star *Table of ContentsPrologue 1: The Worlds of Faery: Far Away and Down Below 2: With a Stroke of Her Wand: Magic and Metamorphosis 3: Voices on the Page: Tales, Tellers, and Translators 4: Potato Soup: True Stories/Real Life 5: Childish Things: Pictures and Conversations 6: On the Couch: House Training the Id 7: In the Dock: Don't Bet on the Prince 8: Double Vision: The Dream of Reason 9: On Stage and Screen: States of Illusion Epilogue Index

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Book SynopsisMeet the world''s most unusual monsters in this darkly funny collection of creatures and cryptids from folkloric history. Illustrator Emma SanCartier captures the bizarre and hilarious elements of 17 monsters from around the world in a light, tongue-in-cheek tone, from the Japanese dream-eater Baku and the Persian carnivorous unicorn Shadhavar to the Eastern-European Shurale, a literal tickle monster. Packaged in a textured three-piece case and illustrated in lush watercolor, Monsters You Should Know is a perfect primer for the many strange, frightening, and compelling things that go bump in the night.Trade Review"Now here’s a book for your under six year-old sprogs to read and keep them checking under the bed to make sure there are no monsters there. Emma Sancartier brings you some simply painted and minimal texted ‘Monsters You Should Know’ as a glossary to some 17 world-wide mythological creatures out there that are not quite what they seem. " -- SFcroswnest

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Book SynopsisShows that myth and symbol constitute a mode of thought that not only came before that of discursive and logical reasoning, but is an essential function of human consciousness. The author analyzes powerful and ubiquitous symbols that have ruled the mythological thinking of East and West in many times and at many levels of cultural development.

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Book SynopsisReveals myth and “otherness” as keys to restoring self, nature, and society• Shows how myths contain medicine to restore wholeness amidst trauma, exile, sudden life change, disability, illness, death, or grief• Synthesizes lessons from shamanic practice, quantum physics, alchemy, soul poetry, wildness, social justice, and the author’s lived experience• Discloses the blessings of outsiderhood and the gifts and insights gained and contributed to culture by those who are marginalized and outcastThere is an “other” that lives within each of us, an exiled part that carries wisdom needed for ourselves and the culture at large. Having survived disabling polio as an infant, Daniel Deardorff knows the oppressions of exclusion and outsiderhood. He guides readers on an initiatory journey through ancient myth, literature, and personal revelation to discover our own true identity. These 10,000-year-old stories contain sacred medicine with insights that release imagination and restore wholeness amid trauma, exile, climate chaos, disability, illness, death, and grief. Illustrating how archetypal figures of the Other--the Trickster, Daimon, Not-I, etc.--hold paradox, Deardorff teaches us to reframe disparities of self/other, civilization/ wilderness, form/deformity and transform the experience of being outcast. Synthesizing lessons from shamanic practice, quantum physics, alchemy, social justice, and his own lived experience, Deardorff affirms the disruptive and transgressive forces that break through dogma, conventionality, and prejudice. He discloses blessings of outsiderhood and gifts to culture by those who are marginalized. Through mythmaking (mythopoesis), the experience of Otherness--cultural, racial, religious, sexual, physiognomic--becomes one of empowerment, a catalyst for human liberation.Trade Review“One of the most astonishing, thought-provoking, and strategically subversive books I’ve ever read. The Other Within weaves mythology, depth psychology, and profound musings on disability and art, dancing at the edge of the unsayable to unmake the social structures that oppress us all.” * Steve Silberman, author of NeuroTribes *“A book to savor . . . a love song to the Outsider, a paeon to the transformative potential of myth, a profound and generous guidebook for living wholeheartedly in dangerous times.” * Sharon Blackie, Ph.D., author of If Women Rose Rooted and The Enchanted Life *“The ‘other within’ is uncertain terrain for many, and we need someone to guide us through this labyrinth of the unfamiliar. Daniel Deardorff is that expert guide. Essential reading.” * Clyde W. Ford, author of Of Blood and Sweat and The Hero with an African Face *“This book is a well, a portal, a very carefully tended path into the mysteries of myth. It is also a map, a worthwhile one for learning how to transcend the complexities and challenges faced by individuals on entering this Earth. It is a must-read for those wanting to understand boldness of heart in the face of adversity.” * Miguel Rivera, musician, mentor, translator, and teacher *“The Other Within is liberating. Deardorff frees us from the oppressive weight of the ideal, the perfect, and draws our gaze toward the borderlands where we catch glimpses of what has been outcast. The trail that Deardorff invites us to follow through the brambles of the psyche is not easy or comforting. His is a work of descent, an invitation into the depths of soul. It is here that we discover the medicine needed by our struggling world. We enter the hive of vulnerability, sorrow, uncertainty, and shame and recover our shared humanity. This book is a blessing to anyone who ever felt estranged from the shimmering world.” * Francis Weller, MFT, author of The Wild Edge of Sorrow *“Deardorff’s masterpiece weaves a tempestuous spell that tosses us into shadowy depths where we might encounter that strange and strangely familiar one within who is, blessedly, an outcast from the life-destroying, conformist-consumer culture precisely because they understand their destined role in shaping the mysterious new world calling to us in the night. The Other Within is one of the few books I recommend to those learning to guide others on the descent to soul.” * Bill Plotkin, Ph.D., author of Soulcraft and Wild Mind *“I read the first sentence and was stopped in my tracks: ‘Denial is contagious and facts are an addictive substitute for truth.’ I told Daniel that I could spend my whole life on just this sentence. When Deardorff writes about walking among the ashes, it reminds us that there is a cost to thewisdom journey; there is a cost to freedom. This true and crooked path has gifts for us no matter the wound. With Trickster Wisdom through myths, he shows us the way deeper into ourselves and, by doing so, connects us more to each other.” * Quanita Roberson, coauthor of The InnerGround Railroad *“Daniel Deardorff searches through our mythic inheritance for the radical otherness that allows the human soul to find and handle the contradictions and oppositions inherent in all of life. With insight and wit, he finds the beauty within disfigurement, the worthiness of crooked things, and the essential genius hidden in the outcast. He offers an imagination of the transgressive, an inventive trickster intelligence that revalues the necessary otherness found both in the margins of culture and in the depths of the individual soul.” * Michael Meade, author of Awakening the Soul *“As I said to fellow wordsmith Michael Ventura just before I went on stage to play drums with Danny, ‘maybe Deardorff should be Jim Morrison’s replacement. He won’t be wearing leather pants, but his depth of soul is a match.’” * John Densmore, author of The Seekers, The Doors: Unhinged, and Riders on the Storm *“The storyteller casts spells. The spells that Daniel Deardorff wove spell out the dark myths of othering that rule the world we have created and that warps our relationship to one another and to the Earth. It is most often from the margin or from exile, from the othered, the deviant (physical, racial, ethnic, religious, sexual) that enlightenment and the prophet comes. Never have we more needed to hear the voices of our healer storytellers such as Danny tell and elucidate for us the healing myths.” * Rafael Jesús González, poet laureate of Berkeley, California *“The boundlessness of Daniel Deardorff’s soul, the ferocity and tenderness of his heart rang like a struck bell within each person who came upon his path. In him the divine was constantly working on itself, puzzling its favorite koan: In what sort of body, in what kind of creature, can I most exuberantly dance? This lucid book masquerades as a work of scholarship. Watch it waltz you over the cliff.” * David Abram, author of The Spell of the Sensuous and Becoming Animal *“Because the important figure of the Trickster has eluded many in our modern culture, I urge you to read Daniel Deardorff on the subject. In this amazing study of the real and imagined ‘other,’ he has given a valuable roadmap to the profound regions of Story.” * Gioia Timpanelli, author of Sometimes the Soul *“At any moment when it seems like we have squandered the spiritual journey and feel like an outcast, we might just stumble into unexpected illumination. Deardorff’s The Other Within is a unique contribution to our understanding of the inner quest. It shows us how to see the extraordinary beauty in our brokenness.” * Jonathan Young, Ph.D., psychologist, founding curator of the Joseph Campbell Archives *“The Other Within challenges our understanding to grasp not only the conundrum of our mutually destructive impulses but the very roots of the human imagination. Deardorff’s book will reward the seeker with its kaleidoscopic range of knowledge to explain that the fearsome stranger approaching is our own visage in the mirror.” * Paul Kleyman, national coordinator of the Journalists Network on Generations *“Unflinching, sometimes uncomfortable, always brave and provocative, this is a book like no other.” * Ellen Dissanayake, author of Homo Aestheticus *“Daniel’s polio made him crooked; his heart made him true. We all can be true if we listen to Daniel, not only with our ears but also with our hearts.” * Dr. Richard L. Bruno, director of the International Centre for Polio Education *“The telling of myths is medicine for the soul. Danny is, thanks to his brilliant work in The Other Within, just an amazing medicine man the likes of whom will never be seen in this world again. If you had the opportunity to see and hear him, you know how blessed of a man he was and how he blessed all of us who had the privilege and honor to be in his presence. What a remarkable story weaver.” * John Lee, author of Odd One Out and The Flying Boy *Table of ContentsForeword: Thrown Out the Window by Robert SimmonsAcknowledgments Introduction: The City and the Forest by Robert BlyOverture Raven Whispers & Forbidden DoorsPreludeSongs of the Dog-Man Scapegoat: A Stricken Deer Aporia: Alexander’s Iron GateWasters, Rhymers, Minstrels & Other Vagabonds Fire on the Mountain Mandorla: The Bird-Masked Dog-Toothed DancersThe Bird with One Leg Part OneTrickster Wisdom The Crucible: In the Iron Cradle Kaleidoscope: The Ten Thousand Things Chymera: Mirror of the Beast Part TwoThe Leaping Consciousness Dragon Smoke: The Marriage of Heaven and Hell Gnomonica: The Tree of Joyful DifficultyThe Lyre: Where the Callus Meets the String Coda Masquerade The Drum: For the Serpent & the BirdOf the Spirit & the Flesh The Singer: Throw Yourself Like Seed The Cauldron: And Each Is the Work of All Afterword: Danny’s Leap by Martin Shaw Glossary NotesSelect BibliographyIndex About the Authors and the Mythsinger Legacy Project

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Book SynopsisFrom `A was an apple-pie' to `Yankee Doodle came to town', this classic dictionary brings together over 500 nursery rhymes, songs, nonsense jingles, lullabies, and rhyming alphabets traditionally handed on to young children. Each item comes with a unique set of notes recording its origins, publishing history, literary associations, variations, parodies, and parallels in other languages. This second edition has been revised throughout to incorporate the results of recent bibliographical scholarship, and includes a new essay on the singing tradition of nursery rhymes by Cecily Raysor Hancock. The Oxford Dictionary of Nursery Rhymes remains the standard work on the subject, for scholars, parents, and children alike.Table of ContentsPREFACE; PREFACE TO THE REVISED EDITION; ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS; LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS; ABBREVIATIONS; INTRODUCTION; NURSERY RHYMES ARRANGED A-Z; INDEX OF NOTABLE FIGURES ASSOCIATED WITH NURSERY RHYMES; INDEX OF FIRST LINES

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Book SynopsisThe Atlantis story remains one of the most haunting and enigmatic tales from antiquity, and one that still resonates very deeply with the modern imagination. But where did Atlantis come from, what was it like, and where did it go to?Atlantis was first introduced by the Greek philosopher Plato in two dialogues the Timaios and Kritias, written in the fourth century BC. As he philosophises about the origins of life, the Universe and humanity, the great thinker puts forward a stunning description of Atlantis, an island paradise with an ideal society. But the Atlanteans degenerate and become imperialist aggressors: they fight against antediluvian Athens, which heroically repels their mighty forces, before a cataclysmic natural disaster destroys the warring states. His tale of a great empire that sank beneath the waves has sparked thousands of years of debate over whether Atlantis really existed. But did Plato mean his tale as history, or just as a parable toTrade ReviewAtlantis has been adapted to countless ideologies and agendas over time, serving the needs of every sort of reader - "harmless hippies or Heinrich Himmler", in Mr Kershaw's memorable phrase . . . Mr Kershaw closes this chilling chapter [on 'the white-supremacist thread in the Atlantis story'] with a quote from Hannah Arendt suggesting the larger importance of his topic. "The ideal subject of totalitarian rule," Arendt wrote, is "people for whom the distinction between fact and fiction . . . and the distinction between true and false . . . no longer exist." The tortured moves that Mr. Kershaw documents, by which the Atlantis myth has been recast as fact and willfully misread, remind us of how vital such distinctions are for a society striving to stay free. -- James Romm * Wall Street Journal *

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Book SynopsisThe Celtic belief that by recording a story the spirit of the story and its teller would die, has meant that generations worth of stories of have been lost. Celtic Sea Stories brings together myths and legends from the past, which the author has collected throughout his lifetime, along with others written specifically for the collection, to provide an enchanting vision of Scottish life by the sea. From kings and fairies to mermaids and witches every tale explores a different aspect of a forgotten way of life. Before schools and television storytelling was the only way to entertain, impart wisdom and explain the inexplicable. Celtic Sea Stories allows readers to share in the storytelling experience again and again, while learning about Scottish history and culture.Trade Review.

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Book SynopsisTrying to understand the wonders and mysteries of the natural world has been a human preoccupation since the earliest times. Myriad myths and legends have subsequently evolved to explain the existence and power of our fertile planet. At the same time, the knowledge of which plants to use as essential foods, remedies, and for construction was of obvious importance, not only to learn but also to pass on and remember. It is therefore hardly surprising that from all corners of the globe a wealth of stories, myths and legends about plants has been passed down to us, gathered together in this fascinating volume. Here you will discover sound principles in some of the traditional advice, and wisdom in many of the observations of the plant world. However there are also highly fanciful superstitions, intriguing tales and amusing anecdotes, which any plant lover will truly relish. Discover which trees are believed to have healing powers? How, in legend, the white rose turn red? Why the lily is a symbol of purity? Any why is it considered unlucky to bring some flowers indoors? Table of Contents1 Introduction 8 2 The wonder of flowers 12 3 Modesty and chastity: floral virtues 14 4 Degrees of passion - the language of flowers 15 5 Flowers and their meanings 16 6 Flower 'mania' 18 7 Cherry blossom beauty 19 8 Faces to the sun 20 9 The rose of love 21 10 The pure lily 22 11 Flowers arranged 24 12 Flowers that tell the time 25 13 Petal power 27 14 Liquid roses 28 15 The poppy of oblivion 29 16 Foxglove to strengthen the heart 31 17 Efficacious chamomile 32 18 The May, a flower of mixed fortunes 33 19 Flowers of fate 34 20 Bringing home the May 35 21 Floral pick-me-ups 36 22 Flowers of St John's Eve 37 23 Dreams of flowers 38 24 Fairy flowers 39 25 The lotus: flower of creation 40 26 In floral form 41 27 The lore of trees 42 28 The wild wood 44 29 The apple of immortality 45 30 The powerful divining rod 46 31 The prophetic oak 48 32 The ash: tree of life 49 33 Wand of wood - and magic 50 34 Branches in flight 51 35 Branches of the gallows tree 52 36 Trees of wisdom and curiosity 53 37 The mysterious upside-down tree 54 38 The immortal olive 55 39 Victory bay and palm 56 40 The useful coconut 57 41 The precious vine 58 42 Tree cures 60 43 Healing branches 61 44 Remedies from bark 62 45 Fruits for fertility 64 46 Around the maypole 65 47 O Christmas tree! 67 48 Trees of the graveyard 68 49 Trees of immortality 69 50 In the form of trees 70 51 The power of plants 72 52 The green, green grass 74 53 The wonder of wheat 75 54 Precious rice grains 77 55 Potato lore 78 56 Mystery maize 80 57 Harvest time 81 58 Witches' plants 82 59 Deadly insect-eaters 84 60 Tobacco smoke - wafting up to heaven 86 61 Mind-changing hemp 87 62 Sacred fungi 88 63 Plants of remembrance 89 64 Painting with plants 91 65 Plant music 92 66 The garden of delights 93 67 The story of incense 94 68 What's in a name? 95 69 The living pharmacy 97 70 Soothing seeds 98 71 Root cures: ginger and liquorice 100 72 Herbs for a better night's sleep 101 73 Full of (coffee) beans 102 74 Tea: the cup that heals 104 75 The blessed garlic bulb 105 76 Plant purges - nasty medicine 106 77 Healing essences 108 78 Easing the toothache 110 79 Against the gout 111 80 Hair tomorrow? 112 81 Pain from plants 113 82 Deadly vegetation 114 83 Nature's pick-me-ups 116 84 Passing water 118 85 Against unwelcome warts 120 86 For problem skin 121 87 To cool a burn 122 88 Better memories 123 89 Coping with alcohol 124 90 Safe at home 125 91 Lucky leaves 126 92 Reading the leaves 128 93 Ensuring conception 130 94 Who'll be my love? 131 95 Nature at Halloween 132 96 Christmas evergreens 134 97 New Year, new start 136 98 Index 138

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Book SynopsisRetold in an engaging style, and richly illustrated with unique line drawings, these humorous, clever and enchanting folk tales are sure to be enjoyed and shared time and again.

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Book SynopsisWhether hailing from the open Yorkshire Dales or the close-knit neighbourhoods of its towns and cities, North Yorkshire folk have always been fond of a good tale. North Yorkshire Folk Tales features Dick Turpin, General Wade, St Oswald, Mother Shipton and Ragnar Hairy Breeches, among others.

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Book SynopsisChildren’s folk tales from Cornwall especially selected by a professional storyteller

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Book SynopsisTrees are one of Earth's oldest life forms; silent witnesses to human evolution and the passing of time. Many people today are unaware of their significance in Earth's ecology, their medicinal and nutritional properties, or the veneration bestowed on them by ancient peoples.This book captures all these elements in an inspiring holistic appraisal. Hageneder looks in detail at 24 of Europe and North America's best-loved trees: their physical characteristics, their healing powers, the traditions associated with them and how they have inspired human beings through the ages.Beautifully illustrated with black and white photographs and illustrations.Trade Review'Eloquent prose and deeply perceptive paintings.'-- Cygnus Review'The Spirit of Trees is an attractive, well-illustrated, and rewarding book that explores the relationship between humanity and trees...richly enhanced with photographs, sketches, drawings, and appealing, colorful paintings and watercolors. It is sturdy and attractive and Hageneder coherently presents a wide range of information on trees and related subjects.'-- New Age Retailer'Hagender's passion for his subject and the wealth of scientific fact, historical information, and traditional lore he gathered in the process have resulted in a virtual arboretum of 24 of the most common, best-loved trees of Europe and North America, presented with stunningly beautiful paintings, drawings, and photographs.'-- Kaya Jacolev, Napra Review 'How pleasant to be able to review a book so delightfully informative and thoughtfully inspiring as this one! The Spirit of Trees captures each of these themes in a beautifully illustrated, well printed and fluently written text. This is a book that has been sorely needed. General readers and specialists alike will find much within in its pages for stimulation, reflection and refreshment.'-- Peter Barlow, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Bristol

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Book SynopsisReynard – a subversive, dashing, anarchic, aristocratic, witty fox from the watery lowlands of medieval East Flanders – is in trouble. He has been summoned to the court of King Noble the Lion, charged with all manner of crimes and misdemeanours. How will he pit his wits against his accusers – greedy Bruin the Bear, pretentious Courtoys the Hound or dark and dangerous Isengrim the Wolf – to escape the gallows? Reynard was once the most popular and beloved character in European folklore, as familiar as Robin Hood, King Arthur or Cinderella. His character spoke eloquently for the unvoiced and disenfranchised, but also amused and delighted the elite, capturing hearts and minds across borders and societal classes for centuries. Based on William Caxton’s bestselling 1481 English translation of the Middle Dutch, but expanded with new interpretations, innovative language and characterisation, this edition is an imaginative retelling of the Reynard story. With its themes of protest, resistance and duplicity fronted by a personable, anti-heroic Fox making his way in a dangerous and cruel world, this gripping tale is as relevant and controversial today as it was in the fifteenth century.Trade Review“Anne Louise Avery presents the full, complicated glory of the silver-tongued predator and his milieu in Reynard the Fox, a tour de force of storytelling and a beautiful object in itself. A writer and art historian, Ms. Avery deploys a scholar’s fluency with medieval language, literature and religion and a raconteur’s ease with anecdote.” -- Meghan Cox Gurdon * The Wall Street Journal *"Game of Thrones meets The Wind in the Willows in Avery's retelling of Reynard the Fox. Riffing on William Caxton's 1481 English translation of a popular Dutch beast epic, this is set in an intricate medieval world reminiscent of Brian Jacques's 'Redwall' series, except bawdy and violent. . . . By cleaving close to Caxton's medieval text, the challenge of Avery's language is equaled by the reward of world-building." -- Katherine Magyarody * School Library Journal *"Anne Louise Avery has done a new translation of the Caxton tale for the Bodleian Library, but has amplified the relatively brief traditional tales with her own prose. . . . By all means, give this book to someone you love as a gift, but be sure to buy one for yourself. The immersive reading experience is lovely." -- Jill O’Neill * Scholarly Kitchen *"This is marvelously spirited and adroit storytelling and an exciting example of innovative translation. Anne-Louise Avery communicates throughout sheer pleasure in the material and luxuriates in its lexical exuberance. Adding mischievous contemporary twists, she has wonderfully refreshed and revivified the medieval collection and shows how these traditional animal fables, with their large and lively cast of characters and their wicked and seductive protagonist, have lost none of their truth-telling power." * Marina Warner *“Reynard the Fox as retold by Anne Louise Avery is a delight to read and an example of how our oldest tales are still some of the best ones around.” -- Richard Marcus * Seattle Post Intelligencer *

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Book SynopsisThe Swan King is the biography of one of the most enigmatic figures of the 19th century, described by Verlaine as 'the only true king of his century'. A man of wildly eccentric temperament and touched by a rare, imaginative genius, Ludwig II of Bavaria is remembered both for his patronage of Richard Wagner and for the fabulous palaces which he created as part of a dream-world to escape the responsibilities of state. In realization of his fantasies, he created a ferment of creativity among artists and craftsmen, while his neglect of Bavaria's political interests made powerful enemies among those critical of his self-indulgence and excesses. At the age of 40, declared insane in a plot to depose him, Ludwig died in mysterious circumstances.Table of ContentsPreface The Northern Apollo Reborn The Captive Years From Cage to Throne The Coming of the Friend The Second Lola A Triumph, an Idyll and a Parting Germany in Turmoil Sophie Lilla...and Others Wagnerian Strains A Crucial Decade 1866-1876 Fantasies in Stone Dreams of El Dorado Ludwig II and the Theatre Forbidden Longings Farewell to Wagner The Twilight Years The Trap Closes Prophecies Fulfilled Epilogue: The Cult of the Swan King

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Book SynopsisFollowing the success of Black Sci-Fi Short Stories comes a powerful new addition to the Flame Tree short story collections: the first peoples in Africa, Asia, Oceania and the Americas, the first migration, the first exploration, the discovery of land and landscape without the footprint of humankind. Stories of injustice sit with memories of hope and wonder, dreamtime tales of creation and joy highlight the enduring spirit of humanity. These stories, selected from submissions by new writers and cast alongside ancient stories and oral traditions from around the world bring new perspectives to the legacy of First Nations, of First Peoples. New, contemporary and notable writers featured are: Chukwu Sunday Abel, Laura Barker, Shelley Burne-Field, Gina Cole, Kylie Fennell, Sophie Garcia, Owl Goingback, Shane Hawk, Somto Ihezue, D.K. Lawhorn, Tsitsi Mapepa, Arnoldo Millán Zubia, Paula Morris, Weyodi OldBear, Claudia Recinos Seldeen, Drew Hayden Taylor, Brigit Truex, Pedro Vázquez Luna (with David J. Schmidt), Jay Hansford C. Vest, and Laika Wallace. Flame Tree Gothic Fantasy, Classic Stories and Epic Tales collections bring together the entire range of myth, folklore and modern short fiction. Highlighting the roots of suspense, supernatural, science fiction and mystery stories, the books in Flame Tree Collections series are beautifully presented, perfect as a gift and offer a lifetime of reading pleasure.

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Book SynopsisThe nornir or norns were a group of female supernatural beings closely related to ideas about fate in Old Norse tradition. Karen Bek-Pedersen provides a thorough understanding of the role played by norns and other beings like them in the relevant sources. Although they are well known, even to people who have only a superficial knowledge of Old Norse mythology, this is the first detailed discussion of the norns to be published amongst the literature dealing with Old Norse beliefs. Surprisingly little has been written specifically about the norns. Although often mentioned in scholarship treating Old Norse culture, the norns are all too often dealt with in overly superficial ways. The research presented in this book goes much deeper in order to properly understand the nature and role of the norns in the Old Norse world view. The conclusions reached by the author overturn a number of stereotypical conceptions that have long dominated our understanding of these beings. The book has a natural focus on Old Norse culture and is especially relevant to those interested in or studying Old Norse culture and tradition. However, comparative material from Celtic, Anglo-Saxon and Classical traditions is also employed and the book is therefore of interest also to those with a broader interest in European mythologies.Trade Review'With The Norns in Old Norse Mythology, Karen Bek-Pedersen offers a very detailed book about nornir as well as other supernatural female figures in Old Norse mythology. It is a high quality piece of research, especially as regards its detailed and accurate close readings of the text sources, which will satisfy both interested beginners and specialised scholars.' CosmosTable of ContentsList of Abbreviations. List of Manuscripts. Acknowledgements. Introduction. 1. Sources; 2.What is a Norn? 3. The Women in the Well. 4. Fate and Threads; Fate, Honour and Speech. Conclusions. Bibliography. Index.

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Book SynopsisGods, Heroes and Monsters retells the ancient stories from around the world, which have been passed down by generation after generation of storytellers, each bringing a clearer understanding of life’s biggest questions.Since the dawn of communication, humankind has looked around itself and used myths and legends to make sense of the world. Imaginative tales of goddesses, heroes, villains and beasts bring understanding to the biggest questions in life: Who made the world? What happens when we die? Where did we come from? How should we live our lives?Gods, Heroes and Monsters invites you to take your place at the campfire that’s been glowing since the first tale was told. Featuring myths and legends from around the world, discover the fascinating variety – and several surprising similarities – of the stories that have been shared for millennia, from one person to another, one lesson at a time.Discover ancient stories on love, death, monsters and spirits and listen to tales of love, revenge and war between the pantheon of gods. Hear the tales of ordinary men and women who have stepped up and overcome life-threatening challenges, from Mulan to Hercules.

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Book SynopsisTurn your gaze toward the skiesWhere wyvern, lung, and phoenix fly.As mermaids swim through oceans blue Under Arctic ice, past coral hues. Accounts arise from here and there, Of manticores in hidden lairs, And faeries dance 'round mushroom caps As brownies steal your fabric scraps. But beware the moon and mind the howls For many hungry beasts doth prowl. My dearest trav''lers, enjoy these pagesFilled with creatures throughout the ages That wander 'cross the lands of lore Where few have dared to venture forth.

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Book SynopsisThe first volume in Joseph Campbell?s monumental four-volume The Masks of God series, originally published in 1959 and now revised with up-to-date science and new illustrations in this Collected Works of Joseph Campbell paperback edition In this first volume of The Masks of God, the world?s preeminent mythologist explores and illuminates the wellsprings of myth. Showing his exemplary combination of scholarly depth and popular enthusiasm, Joseph Campbell looks at the expressions of religious awe in early humans and their echoes in the rites of surviving primal tribes. Campbell shows how myth has informed our understanding of the world, seen and unseen, throughout time. As he explores and shares archetypal mythic images and practices, he also points to how these concepts inform our personal lives. Upon completing The Masks of God, Campbell found that his work affirmed ?the unity of the race of man, not only in its biology, but also in its spiritual history.? He likened this unity to a symphony in which various parts create a ?great movement.? Perhaps more than ever before, Campbell?s insight is not only illuminating but also inspiring.

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Book SynopsisCome on a colouring adventure into the mysterious and magical world of Dark Fairies. French illustrator Tabreth showcases her stunning and intricate artwork with 45 illustrations, each depicting a different fairy and their powers. The book explores the darker side of the fairy kingdom, featuring vampire fairies eternally united under a full moon, a snake sprite wrapped in slithering serpents, a powerful fire pixie and many more sinister yet beautiful beings that have gone to the dark side. With original, intricate details, these stunning images are waiting to be brought to life with spellbinding colour.

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Book SynopsisTales throughout the world generally place fabulous beasts in marginal locations – deserts, deep woods, remote islands, glaciers, ocean depths, mountain peaks, caves, swamps, heavenly bodies and alternate universes. Legends tell us that imaginary animals belong to a primordial time, before we had encompassed the world with names, categories and scientific knowledge. This book traces the history of imaginary animals from Palaeolithic art to the Harry Potter stories, and beyond. It shows how imagined creatures help us psychologically, giving form to our subconscious fears as ‘monsters’, as well as embodying our hopes as ‘wonders’. Nevertheless, their greatest service may be to continually challenge our imaginations, directing us beyond the limitations of our conventional beliefs and expectations.Trade Review"Author Boria Sax argues that monsters help us by giving concrete form to our fears, whilewonders incarnate our hopes. Enlisting cultural support, whether from Hieronymus Bosch or PT Barnum, this teacher at Sing Sing prison shows how mermaids and dragons, even superheroes and Tamagochis, help us measure what it means to be human. A well illustrated and philosophically sophisticated book.' – World of Interiors; 'A thought-provoking analysis of bestial creations, this illustrated compendium by Boria Sax scrutinizes artistic and literary models, ranging from Chauvet cave art from 36,000 BCE to political cartoons, graphic Japanese novels, and postmodern robotics. Conclusions about the nature and purpose of fantasy animals draw on scripture, anthropology, medicine, myth, and psychology . . . An intriguing, highly readable reference work at a low price, Saxs multifaceted work covers a host of reference needs. Recommended.' – Choice; 'Speaking as someone fascinated by all animals from earliest childhood, I found Imaginary Animals to be an intriguing and thought-provoking discovery. Scholarly and well-researched, without being either ponderous or condescending, it is written with real wit, and with a contagious delight in its subject rare in such a study. I would recommend it enthusiastically to anyone interested in the astonishing range of folkloric, religious, cultural, philosophic and political symbolism with which human beings have regarded and ceaselessly recreated real animals in our time together on this planet.' – Peter S. Beagle, author of The Last Unicorn

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Book SynopsisTales of the werewolf are well established as a sub-strand of the popular horror genre; less widely known is how far back in time their provenance lies. This is the first book in any language devoted to the werewolf tales that survive from antiquity, exploring their place alongside witches, ghosts, demons, and soul-flyers in a shared story-world.Trade ReviewOgden sets out to prove that, in the ancient world, werewolves "inhabited the same conceptual space...as sorcerers, witches, and ghosts," and succeeds admirably. * Debbie Felton, Religious Studies Review *Ogden characteristically writes with verve, clarity, independent-mindedness and wit, and always displays an impressive breadth and depth of learning - grounded in a genuinely, not just superficially, multilingual study of previous scholarship-any reader who opens the present work can expect a treat. * Richard Buxton, GNOMON *Summing up, the importance of this work is undeniable: The Werewolf in the Ancient World is destined to become the reference treatise on lycanthropy in antiquity, and it certainly has what it takes to be so - not least, the author's familiarity with scholarly literature in languages other than English. * Tommaso Braccini, Universita di Siena, ARYS: Antiquity, Religions and Societies *This book is packed full of source material for those who are keen to research more deeply into the phenomenon * J M Lashley, Cambridge Core *Readers will most certainly find lasting value in the many long translations of primary source materials marshalled in The Werewolf in the Ancient World, which will provide a useful refernce for all future discussions of the ancient and mysterious versipellis. * Scott Bruce, Bryn Mawr Classical Review *The broad breadth of the book provides Ogden with a plethora of sources to consider, creating a thoroughly researched discussion and a meticulous sourcebook ... The Werewolf in the Ancient World is a rich scholarly resource ... Ogden's writing style is lively and engaging, creating an overall enjoyable and accessible read for scholars, students, and casual readers. * Julianne Rach, Ancient History Bulletin *Daniel Ogden's fascinating and wide-ranging study of the werewolf from ancient Greece to the Middle Ages also adopts the folklorist approach ... This fast-paced and well-researched book certainly has a broad appeal and will be both a classic study on the topic and a useful collection of ancient sources on werewolves. * Ivana Petrovic, Greece & Rome *The Greeks had a word for writer-collectors of mirabilia, or wonderful, incredible things; they were known as "paradoxographers." In The Werewolf in the Ancient World Ogden shows himself to be a keen contemporary paradoxographer. Combining detailed analysis of the sources with digressive reveries, he's aiming at "a comprehensive sourcebook" and has hunted across the centuries for buried items of lore, ranging from ancient Greek texts to Christian commentaries on pagan thinkers, then on to the medieval period, with busy digressions on Icelandic sagas, Grimm fairy tales, and Victorian ghost stories. In pursuit of his quarry, Ogden investigates sorcery, shapeshifting, initiation rites, mental derangement, spirit projection, and shamanic night flying, expounding with irrepressible enthusiasm on such things as werewolves' relations with ghosts, vampires, sorcerers, and witches. * Marina Warner, New York Review of Books *Quite probably the best book that will ever be written on the topic. * Gail Nina Anderson, The Fortean Times *The Werewolf in the Ancient World represents an immense work of scholarship. It should be praised for not succumbing to the unusually common problem of hyper-fixation on a particular time period, so as to make it appear like the werewolf is not a myth that's existed since antiquity. Raher than focusing only on ancient Greece and Rome, Ogden works to point out how the tropes established by Petronius in the Satyricon repeatedly pop up in medieval and Renaissance era folklore, and even early 20th century works of fiction like Bram Stoker's "Dracula's Guest" (1914) and Guy Endore's "Werewolf of Paris" (1933). * Justin Mullis, AIPT *Table of ContentsIntroduction. Petronius, Werewolves, and Folklore 1: The Curse of the Werewolf: Witches and Sorcerers 2: Werewolves, Ghosts, and the Dead 3: The Werewolf Inside, and Out 4: Werewolves and Projected Souls 5: The Demon in a Wolfskin: A Werewolf at Temesa? 6: The Werewolves of Arcadia Conclusion: The World of Ancient Werewolves and their Stories Appendix A. Homer's Circe as a Witch Appendix B. Cynocephali Appendix C. False Werewolves: Dolon and the Luperci References Index

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Book SynopsisWas there ever such a beast as the monstrous Kraken? Did a Welsh prince discover America, centuries before Columbus? What happened to the missing crew of the Mary Celeste? This title deals with these questions.Trade ReviewThis is a brilliant scholarly, yet readable work by two of the country's leading folklorists; it should appeal to anyone interested in the legends of the British Isles. * Good Book Guide *a work that entertains and intrigues from the first page to the last; not to be flicked through, but to be steadily digested and enjoyed. * Evergreen Magazine *

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Book SynopsisCombining traditional myth, oral history and re-worked European legend to depict an ancient realm of heroism and wonder, the seven tales collected here are among the most fantastical of all the Norse romances. Powerfully inspired works of Icelandic imagination, they relate intriguing, often comical tales of famous kings, difficult gods and women of great beauty, goodness or cunning. The tales plunder a wide range of earlier literature from Homer to the French romances—as in the tale of the wandering hero Arrow-Odd, which combines several older legends, or Egil and Asmund, where the story of Odysseus and the Cyclops is skilfully adapted into a traditional Norse legend. These are among the most outrageous, delightful and exhilarating tales in all Icelandic literature.For more than seventy years, Penguin has been the leading publisher of classic literature in the English-speaking world. With more than 1,700 titles, Penguin Classics represents a global bookshelf of the bTable of ContentsTranslated by Hermann Pálsson and Paul EdwardsIntroductionMaps: Europe of the Viking RomancesNote on the Texts and TranslationsBibliographySeven Viking RomancesArrow-OddKing GautrekHalfdan EysteinssonBosi and HerraudEgil and AsmundThorstein Mansion-MightHelgi ThorissonAppendix: Sources and parallels of Arrow-OddList of Proper Names

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Book SynopsisAmongst the oldest continuing cultures on Earth, San Bushmen are indigenous peoples that make up the first nations of Southern Africa. San culture is rich in myth and lore, actively and expansively transmitted by storytellers. Mythology of the San Bushmen of Southern Africa gives an in-depth account of this fascinating mythology and its connections to the religion, social organization, and ecological adaptations of this erstwhile hunting-gathering people. Drawing on a rich trove of archival research, ethnographic fieldwork, and oral traditions of the San, Mathias Guenther reveals the ongoing connections and interactions between actual, experienced reality and virtual, imagined myth time in the mythology and cosmology of San Bushmen. Their myth time was an age of inchoateness and of becoming inhabited by morally flawed human-animal hybrid beings, a state of ambiguity that finds its fullest embodiment in the trickster figure. In addition to this being''s persona as prankster-protagonist, the San Bushman trickster is also a god. While not unique in mythologies around the world, the configuration of this secular-sacred trickster-god figure is distinctive among the San, along with other conflations--of human with animal and woman/wife with antelope/meat. San Bushmen of Southern Africa is a significant contribution to hunter-gatherer studies and places San mythology firmly in the context of world mythology.

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Book SynopsisDo you touch wood for luck, or avoid hotel rooms on floor thirteen? Would you cross the path of a black cat, or step under a ladder? Is breaking a mirror just an expensive waste of glass, or something rather more sinister? Despite the dominance of science in today''s world, superstitious beliefs - both traditional and new - remain surprisingly popular. A recent survey of adults in the United States found that 33 percent believed that finding a penny was good luck, and 23 percent believed that the number seven was lucky. Where did these superstitions come from, and why do they persist today?This Very Short Introduction explores the nature and surprising history of superstition from antiquity to the present. For two millennia, superstition was a label derisively applied to foreign religions and unacceptable religious practices, and its primary purpose was used to separate groups and assert religious and social authority. After the Enlightenment, the superstition label was still used to define groups, but the new dividing line was between reason and unreason. Today, despite our apparent sophistication and technological advances, superstitious belief and behaviour remain widespread, and highly educated people are not immune. Stuart Vyse takes an exciting look at the varieties of popular superstitious beliefs today and the psychological reasons behind their continued existence, as well as the likely future course of superstition in our increasingly connected world. ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.Trade ReviewStimulating and informative. * Alexander Faludy, Church Times *This succinct summary of the history of and psychology behind superstition is so superb that I am adopting it for my college course on critical thinking and recommend it be required reading for all social science students. Stuart Vyse is such a marvelous writer and clear thinker, in fact, that this book should be required reading for all humans susceptible to superstitions, which is to say all of humanity. * Michael Shermer, Publisher, Skeptic magazine *Stuart Vyse has packed a lot into this little book, including a comprehensive discussion of the way in which the concept of superstition has changed across the ages, the psychology of superstition, and the implications of superstitious thinking for the modern world - all presented in an engaging and informative style. Highly recommended! * Professor Chris French, Goldsmiths, University of London *Table of ContentsIntroduction 1: The meanings of superstition 2: Religious superstition 3: Secular superstition 4: Superstition today 5: Why do people believe? 6: The future of superstition Further reading Index

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Book SynopsisStories accompany us through life from birth to death. This title offers both a theory of how stories shape us and a useful method for analyzing them. It uses literary concepts to ask social scientific questions: how do stories make life better, and when do they endanger it?

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Book SynopsisBumbling flying elephants, the demon serpent, a brash peacock, crafty jackals, a curious leopard, and even an evil, shape-shifting jinn, all make an appearance in this delightful collection of tales from India. Beautifully illustrated and imaginatively retold, Birds and Beasts, takes the reader on a fantastical journey into the wild and wonderful world of magical beasts and whimsical animals. These tales are drawn from classic texts, such as the Hitopadesha, the Kathasaritsagara, the Puranas, and the Quran. They include oral tales from Ladakh, Assam, Andhra Pradesh, and Uttarakhand, and tribal folklore as well. Sourced from classic texts and collections of folk tales that date as far back as the 11th century, the stories range from the unusual to the familiar and bound to stir the imagination of every child. This title is the second in a series - the first being Mischief & Magic, a collection of magical tales from across India.

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Book SynopsisIntroduce your little one to fables and fairy tales from around the world with this spellbinding series of board books for children.Discover the Aboriginal Australian myth about a very thirsty frog named Tiddalik! The perfect bedtime story that will teach children the importance of sharing.Inside the colourful children''s book ideal for 3-5-year olds, you''ll find: - Beautiful, vibrant illustrations that bring the stories to life - Simple text is ideal for reading aloud and for bedtime - Introduction to a lesser-known folk tale and stories for young children - A reference section at the end of the book that explains the cultural history behind each story Once Upon a Time... there was a Thirsty Frog follows the tale of the very thirsty frog who drank all the water in the land! Tiddalik, the frog, has to learn how to share so that the other animals can also quench their thirst. What will the other animals do? Will Tiddalik ever learn how to share? Tuck your toddler or preschooler in with this charming retelling of the Aboriginal Australian story beautifully illustrated by Maja Andersen, bringing the fairy tale to life. Embark on an inspiring journey with Tiddalik, and teach your child emotional intelligence and the dangers of being selfish.Go on a journey around the world with these new illustrated fables and novels from DK that make the perfect addition to any child''s bookshelf. Other books in this series include Once Upon a Time... there was a Little Bird, Once Upon a Time... there was a Greedy King, Once Upon a Time... there was an Old Woman.

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Book SynopsisAn inspired new translation of the work of one of the world's greatest fabulistsTrade ReviewLewis Galantière Prize, American Translators Association, 2008. "The translations are not literal but instead convey the spirit of the 17th-century writer. The volume includes . . . extensive notes offering comments and explicating sources, references, translation difficulties, and so on; and lovely illustrations by David Schorr. Highly recommended."--Choice"Ably translated from the French by Shapiro, the voices of the animals, birds, insects (and even the occasional human) who populate La Fontaine's fables come alive in rhyme and rhythm that develop the traditional tales." --Library Journal"In Shapiro's translations, meaning and sound patterns flow into each other with metrical control and create La Fontaine's soothing melody, which is reinforced through a never-ending wit and humor to articulate and to overcome his distaste for human folly."--Translation Review

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Book Synopsis''A NEW, ACTION-PACKED, ENCHANTINGLY FUN SERIES'' BooklistFrom New York Times bestselling author Kevin Hearne comes the start of a hugely entertaining new series set in the world of the Iron Druid Chronicles - about an eccentric master of magic solving an uncanny mystery in Scotland . . .Al MacBharrais is both blessed and cursed. He is blessed with an extraordinary white moustache, an appreciation for craft cocktails - and a most unique magical talent. He can cast spells with magically enchanted ink and he uses his gifts to protect our world from rogue minions of various pantheons, especially the Fae. But he is also cursed. Anyone who hears his voice will begin to feel an inexplicable hatred for Al, so he can only communicate through the written word or speech apps. And his apprentices keep dying in peculiar freak accidents. As his personal life crumbles around him, he devotes his life to his work, all the while trying to crack the secret of his curse. But when his latest apprentice, Gordie, turns up dead in his Glasgow flat, Al discovers evidence that Gordie was living a secret life of crime. Now Al is forced to play detective - while avoiding actual detectives who are wondering why death seems to always follow Al. Investigating his apprentice''s death will take him through Scotland''s magical underworld, and he''ll need the help of a mischievous hobgoblin if he''s to survive.Packed to the brim with mystery, magic and mayhem, Ink & Sigil is perfect for fans of Rivers of London and Rotherweird.Praise for Ink & Sigil:''You are in for a great treat. Ink and Sigil is great escape reading, and I loved every word'' Charlaine Harris, New York Times bestselling author of the Sookie Stackhouse books''Will transport you right in the Scottish realm of fey and fairies . . . The magic is both familiar and new, believable and extraordinary'' Charlie Holmberg, author of The Paper Magician''Vividly blends Kevin Hearne''s unique take on urban fantasy with the grit of Scottish magic'' Adam Christopher, author of Empire State''Ink & Sigil is filled to the brim with the Hearne-anigans we''ve all grown to love. Fans of ribald humor, literary puns and the odd hobgoblin will be enchanted by this paranormal mystery'' Jaye Wells, author of the Prospero''s War seriesTrade ReviewYou are in for a great treat. Ink & Sigil is great escape reading, and I loved every word * Charlaine Harris *[A] terrific kick-off of a new, action-packed, enchantingly fun series * BOOKLIST *Delightful! * LIBRARY JOURNAL *Kevin Hearne's Ink and Sigil is a novel that will transport you right in the Scottish realm of fey and fairies and have you thinking the "other" is real. The magic is both familiar and new, believable and extraordinary -- Charlie Holmberg, author of THE PAPER MAGICIANKevin Hearne has used ink and paper to craft his own brand of magic. Ink & Sigil is filled to the brim with the Hearne-anigans we've all grown to love. Fans of ribald humor, literary puns, and the odd hobgoblin will be enchanted by this paranormal mystery -- Jaye Wells, author of the Prospero’s War seriesA delightfully grimy journey through the hidden underworld of Glasgow, Ink & Sigil vividly blends Kevin Hearne's unique take on urban fantasy with the grit of Scottish magic -- Adam Christopher, author of EMPIRE STATE

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Book SynopsisFrom the creator of Myths Retold comes a hilarious collection of Greek, Norse, Chinese and even Sumerian myths retold in their purest, bawdiest forms!All our lives, we’ve been fed watered-down, PC versions of the classic myths. In reality, mythology is more screwed up than a schizophrenic shaman doing hits of unidentified…wait, it all makes sense now. In Zeus Grants Stupid Wishes, Cory O’Brien, creator of Myths RETOLD!, sets the stories straight. These are rude, crude, totally sacred texts told the way they were meant to be told: loudly, and with lots of four-letter words.Did you know?Cronus liked to eat babies.Narcissus probably should have just learned to masturbate.Odin got construction discounts with bestiality.Isis had bad taste in jewelry.Ganesh was the very definition of an unplanned pregnancy.And Abraham was totally cool about stabbing his kid in the face.St

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Book SynopsisAn engrossing array of stories, this entertaining volume chronicles an ancient culture. The book provides grisly accounts of revenge and knightly exploits, a fascinating eyewitness account of a hara-kiri ceremony, tales of vampires and samurai, Buddhist sermons, and the plots of four No plays. 38 illustrations.

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Book Synopsis

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