Folklore studies / Study of myth Books

Book SynopsisA sophisticated look into the eight Greek myths that remain the most relevant to us today, exploring their powerful cultural impact from their ancient origins to the present. The Greek myths have been retold countless times, first by the conquering Romans, then through the medieval and Renaissance eras of Europe, and finally finding new expression in masterworks of art, literature and cinema on the global stage. Classical scholar Richard Buxton explores the stories at the heart of this ancient mythology and how they have come to influence our society today. The Greek legends seem to speak to us universally, their deities tantalizingly human - often indulging in behaviours morally ambiguous at best and obscene at worst - and their heroes dealing with dilemmas and destinies that echo, if exaggeratedly, conflicts in our own lives. The dramatic choices that such figures as Prometheus, Medea and Oedipus face have resonated with audiences over thousands of years. Each chapter focTrade Review'"Promethean" and "Herculean": everyday words in our English language but they evoke a wealth of mythical associations when one delves back - as Richard Buxton does so brilliantly - into their ancient Greek origins. Buxton's adroit selection of ancient myths to re-tell is perfectly suited to explaining as well as narrating these stories' enduring charm' - Paul Cartledge, A.G. Leventis Professor of Greek Culture emeritus, University of Cambridge'In his exquisitely written and beautifully illustrated new book, Professor Buxton takes us on an enchanting journey through three millennia of the lives and afterlives of Greek myths, of telling and retelling, appropriation, subversion and reinvention. No-one has better conveyed these stories' bearing on our XXIst century minds, whether we debate our origins or futures, relationships between genders or between species, or the dilemmas of love, politics and choice. With great passion, humour and empathy, Buxton has made these eternal tales his own and in the process made them ours all over again. A must-read for all ages' - Kalypso Nicolaïdis, Professor of International Relations, University of Oxford'A stunning survey and a convincing argument for myths’ continuing ability to speak to us, this masterly and insightful work should inspire students and general readers alike' - Library Journal'This is simply the best lucid and scholarly guide available … very well written, with a romping sense of irony and fun, and rapid but very comfortable pace. If there is a body of mythology which really has shaped our lives, along with the whole of Western civilisation, then this is it, and if there is a book on the stocks at present which most effectively and enjoyably shapes an appreciation of why that is, then this one is it as well' - Ronald Hutton'Lively' - History Revealed'‘[A] bountiful, beautifully illustrated guide to eight Greek myths … packed with fascinating curios, intriguing asides and spiralling sub-plots' - The Spectator'[Buxton] is an academic and a skilled communicator who does justice to the mysterious otherness of the mythic world' - The Church TimesTable of ContentsIntroduction: An inexhaustible resource 1. Prometheus 2. Medea 3. Daedalus and Icarus 4. The Amazons 5. Oedipus 6. The Judgment of Paris 7. The Labours of Heracles 8. Orpheus and Eurydice 9. Conclusion

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Book SynopsisIn the 1380s and 90s, Nicolò and Antonio Zen journeyed from Venice up the North Atlantic, encountering warrior princes, fighting savage natives and, just possibly, reaching the New World a full century before Columbus. The story of their adventure travelled throughout Europe, from the workshop of the great cartographer Mercator to the court of Elizabeth I. For centuries, the brothers were international celebrities, until, in 1835, the story was denounced as a ''tissue of lies'' and the Zens faded into oblivion.Following in their footsteps Andrea di Robilant sets out to discover the truth about the Zen voyages in a journey that takes him from the crumbling Palazzo Zen in Venice to the Orkney Islands, the Faroes, Iceland and Greenland. Part history, part travelogue, Venetian Navigators is a charming tale of great journeys, fine detective work and faith, against the odds.

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Book SynopsisKings and farmers, monsters and fairies, magic and mayhem all the ingredients of classic legends are to be found between the pages of this book.

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Book SynopsisHe is Ireland's most famous warrior, a legendary figure who has enchanted children for millennia. But who really was Fionn Mac Cumhaill? And what was he like when he was a child?In this wonderful, modern retelling of an ancient tale, based on a 12th-century manuscript, Ronan Moore brings young Fionn to life in a series of wild adventures.A cheeky kid, constantly trying to outsmart the adults around him, Fionn is on the run from his father's enemies who want him dead. Travel with him as he journeys throughout Ireland, evading capture, outwitting enemies, and training to become the greatest leader Ireland has ever known.Including the well-known myths of the Salmon of Knowledge and the Dragon of Tara, this book will appeal to all children as they follow Fionn's life up to the point of his becoming leader of the Fianna.Download the Young Fionn Activity sheet here.

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Book SynopsisA quest to find the ancient sword Excalibur quickly turns into a hunt for a determined killer for Crispin Guest.London, 1396. A trip to the swordsmith shop for Crispin Guest, Tracker of London, and his apprentice Jack Tucker takes an unexpected turn when Crispin crosses paths with Carantok Teague, a Cornish treasure hunter. Carantok has a map he is convinced will lead him to the sword of Excalibur - a magnificent relic dating back to King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table - and he wants Crispin to help him find it. Travelling to Tintagel Castle in Cornwall with Carantok and Jack, Crispin is soon reunited with an old flame as he attempts to locate the legendary sword. But does Excalibur really exist, or is he on an impossible quest? When a body is discovered, Crispin''s search for treasure suddenly turns into a hunt for a dangerous killer.

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Book SynopsisExploration of the Welsh-Celtic myth of the prophet/poet Taliesin and the witch/goddess Cerridwen takes the reader on a transformative journey, this book introduces them to core Celtic philosophy and magic, then embarks on a powerful, experiential foray into one of Wales' legends.

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Book SynopsisIn A COMPLETE GUIDE TO FAIRIES AND MAGICAL BEINGS, Cassandra Eason explores the enduring popularity of fairies and nature spirits across all ages and cultures and the history of fairies across a range of countries, cultures and faiths. She examines the main types of fairies from nature spirits, devas, earth spirits and elementals, to trolls, goblins and djinns; looks at the evidence for the existence of fairies and famous case histories of fairy sightings, explores how fairies have been a potent source of inspiration in myth and literature from Shakespeare to Peter Pan and what this tells us about their symbolic power; explores fairies, nature spirits and healing, including the discovery and creation of flower and tree essences; examines ways to access the fairy world including drawing on the energies present in ley lines, standing stones and sacred wells; and provides exercises and rituals to help you unlock the power of fairies to transform your own life and develop your spiritualitTrade ReviewI would certainly recommend A Complete Guide to Fairies and Magical Beings as a good introduction to fairy lore and fairy magic and I've very glad I treated myself to buying a copy * badwitch.co.uk *

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Book SynopsisThis lively and entertaining collection of folk tales from the Scottish Borders is rich in stories both tall and true, ancient and more recent, dark and funny, fantastical and powerful.

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Book SynopsisFolk tales from Buckinghamshire from a professional storyteller

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Book SynopsisDiscover the magic of the Norwich Snap Dragon, adventure through pre-historic Norfolk with a mammoth, find out why the region’s famous mustard doesn’t mix with smelly feet, and get swept back in time to experience Norwich as it was seen through the eyes of two mysterious statues.

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Book SynopsisThe first collection of folk tales from Lanarkshire, Scotland’s most populated regionTrade Review"A myriad of myths and legends are uncovered in its many pages - from a cantankerous brownie in Dolphinton to the vampire with iron teeth who terrorised Glasgow""This book has been a revelation. The snippets of domestic history are fascinating."

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Book SynopsisAn enchanting collection of folk tales retold by a professional storyteller

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Book SynopsisCornish tales of moor, coast and village, the result of a successful community projectTrade Review‘You don’t have to believe in magic – but it helps.’ -- Mark Camp

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Book SynopsisLocal folk tales from Yorkshire, specially retold for children by a professional storyteller

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Book SynopsisStories of the ancient deities that have shaped the mythological landscape of Britain and Ireland

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Book SynopsisFrom Abbotts Ann and the Maiden's Garlands to the Tichborne Dole and St Swithun's forty days of rain, Folklore of Hampshire looks at the county as never before. Hampshire is proud host to traditions, customs and legends that may seem strange to the people of the twenty-first century but were very real to the Hampshire folk of yesteryear. While some of these customs have died out others are still with us, continuing a rich heritage. This book reveals some of the county's saints, witches, superstitions, music, ghosts and legends, and talks to the Hampshire Hogs' who ensure that folklore from the past retains a place in modern society.

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Book SynopsisWales is especially rich in the folklore of place, and this collection brings a new perspective to the history of Denbighshire, the oldest inhabited area of Wales. With hills, valleys, moorland and coast, this varied land has inspired many tales of ancient battles, strange creatures and curious customs. This compilation of stories from the ancient lore of the modern county of Denbighshire includes local legends, folk tales, stories of magic and mystery and tales of ordinary people doing extraordinary things. Discover dragons and devils, ghosts and giants, witches and cunning men, poets, heroes, saints, kings and queens and, of course, Y Tylwyth Teg, The Fair Folk. A speaker of both languages of Wales, the author has collected some unusual material which will be of particular interest to non-Welsh speakers, who will meet these tales for the first time here.With illustrations from local artist Ed Fisher complementing the tales, this volume will be enjoyed by old and y

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Book SynopsisWhether hailing from the open Pennine hills or the close-knit neighbourhoods of industrial towns, West Yorkshire folk have always been fond of a good tale. This collection of stories from around the county is a tribute to their narrative vitality, and commemorates places and people who have left their mark on their communities. Here you will find legendary rocks, Robin Hood, tragic love affairs, thwarted villainy, witches, fairies, hidden treasure and much more. The intriguing stories, brought to life with illustrations from a local artist, will be enjoyed by readers time and again.

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Book SynopsisThese lively and entertaining folk tales from one of Britain''s most ancient counties are vividly retold by local storyteller Kirsty Hartsiotis. Their origins lost in the oral tradition, these thirty stories from Wiltshire reflect the wisdom of the county and its people. From the Giant''s Dance to the Great Western Railway, no stone is left unturned to discover the roots of the county. Discover the Moonraker''s passages and Merlin''s trickery, dabchicks and the devil, the flying monk of Malmesbury and a canal ghost story. These tales have all stood the test of time, and remain classic texts that will be enjoyed time and again by modern readers.

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Book SynopsisLondon is a world unto itself; an outrageous, quirky and diverse microcosm where all walks of life cross paths, their languages jostling and mingling and there are tales whichever way you turn. Now thirty of the best, drawn from oral history and newly recorded local reminiscence, as well as folk sources and written texts, have been brought to life by a mistress of storytelling. Here you will find Dick Whittington alongside the patron saint of cobblers, a royal rat rubbing shoulders with the Maid Uncumber, and fish that decide destinies. Revisit old friends and discover new ones in this wonderful selection of London folk tales as light and dark, and as full of unexpected twists, as the streets of London itself.

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Book SynopsisWith screaming demons in Wealdon copses and dragons lurking in bottomless ponds, the folk tales of Sussex truly represent the diversity of the area.

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Book SynopsisThese lively and entertaining folk tales from one of Britain’s most diverse counties are vividly retold by writer, storyteller and poet Jennie Bailey and storyteller, writer, psychotherapist and shamanic guide David England.

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Book Synopsisthe silver city and surrounding farm lands, the forested and mountainous terrain through which the River Dee flows, the rolling, gentler land surrounding the meandering River Don and the beautiful but sometimes forbidding Aberdeenshire coastline.

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Book SynopsisThe Orkney Islands are a place of mystery and magic, where the past and the present meet, ancient standing stones walk and burial mounds are the home of the trows. Orkney Folk Tales walks the reader across invisible islands that are home to fin folk and mermaids, and seals that are often far more than they appear to be.

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Book SynopsisThe old kingdom of Gwynedd – the mountains of Eryri (Snowdonia), Ynys (Anglesey) and the Llyˆn Peninsula – may be the most mythic landscape in Britain.

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Book SynopsisFairies from different literary and folk traditions around the world come together in this vibrantly illustrated oracle deck and guidebook set!- Gorgeously Illustrated: Each of the 40 cards in this oracle deck is illustrated with stunning original artwork that bring the magic of fairies to life. Let Joan the Wad shine light on a path forward, or cry with The Banshee in your hour of grief; re-centre yourself among your belongings with the help of the Korean Dokkaebi, or dance in a Fairy Ring. These and many more fairy oracles are just a pull away in this one-of-a-kind set that celebrates these small yet powerful creatures.- Deluxe Set: This set includes 40 full-colour illustrated cards (3 x 5 inches); an 88-page, full-colour illustrated paperback book (3 x 5 inches); and a keepsake magnetic closure box; cards and travel case are embedded in an interior tray.- Fully Illustrated Oracle Guidebook: This set includes a full-colour illustrated companion book to the card deck, providing the history and context of each oracle and a dose of inspiration.- Perfect Gift: This whimsical, beautiful oracle deck and book set is an ideal gift for fairy lovers or anyone interested in divination.A note on packaging: In order to help honour our planet and reduce waste, we have only shrink wrapped the interior cards, rather than the keepsake box. Please feel confident that your product is not defective or used.

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Book SynopsisThis beautiful deck features 40 diverse mermaids from folklore traditions and literature all over the world, harnessing their power and beauty to serve as a divination tool for mystics of all ages. For thousands of years, mermaids and other sea creatures have called the water home, accessing the ancient strength and wisdom of the ocean. What new kinds of courage, fortitude, and clarity will you discover when you plumb the briny depths?  Gorgeously Illustrated: This vibrantly illustrated oracle deck and guidebook brings together mermaids, mermen, and other aquatic beings from global literary and folk traditions. Each of the 40 cards in this deck is illustrated with stunningly original artwork that brings the magic of merfolk—from the immortal Grecian mermaid, Glaucus; to the Brazilian warrior mermaid, Iara—to new and fascinating life.  Deluxe Set: This set includes 40 full-color illustrated cards (3 x 5 inches); an 88-page, full-color illustrated paperback book (3 x 5 inches); and a keepsake magnetic closure box. Fully Illustrated Oracle Guidebook: This set includes a full-color illustrated companion book to the card deck, providing the history and context of 40 culturally unique and fascinating legends of the sea, along with a dose of inspiration Perfect Gift: This whimsical, beautiful oracle deck and book set is an ideal gift for mermaid lovers or anyone who is interested in divination A note on packaging: In order to help honor our planet and reduce waste, we have only shrink wrapped the interior cards, rather than the keepsake box. Please feel confident that your product is not defective or used.

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Book SynopsisThe alluring mermaids sighted by lonely mariners. The winged angels, by turns avenging and comforting, that abound in Christian art. The fearsome Minotaur of Greek mythology. Animal-headed deities, from the elephant-headed Ganesha in India to the falcon-headed Horus in ancient Egypt. An enigmatic cave painting representing a possibly shamanic figure with the hindparts of a man and the foreparts of a stag. As far back as we go in human history, we find therianthropes, or animal-human hybrids. In this thoughtful volume, Philip F. Palmedo surveys each of the major categories of therianthrope in turn from animal-headed beings to merpeople to shape-shifters with particular attention to their roles in religion, folklore, and the popular consciousness. With well-chosen colour illustrations, he demonstrates how artists of all eras have shaped our conception of these mythical beings. Palmedo closes the book by theorising about the ultimate origin and meaning of therianthropes, placing them

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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 AwardAn Amazon Best Book of the YearNamed 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

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Book SynopsisIn this wonderful collection of stories by some of Ireland's finest writers, including Carleton, Yeats and Lady Wilde, a legion of fairy folk leprechauns, giants, witches and mermaids help, hinder, charm and terrify their mortal neighbours.The fairy tales of Ireland are part of one of the richest folklore traditions in the world. These much-loved tales include the story of the farmer who offends the fairies by building on their dancing ground; the king who loses his wife in a chess game and the smith who learns his skill at working brass and iron during his seven-year apprenticeship to the giant Mahon MacMahon. The heroes and saints of the Celtic sagas are here as well, in beautifully written versions of the old bardic stories of Finn, Deirdre, Cuchulain and Brigid. Wielding the power to enthral and enchant, these ancient tales open the door to a strangely familiar world of mystery and magic.

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Book SynopsisTraces the origins of the story of King Arthur and the Grail, and explores the parallels between the quest for the Grail and the medieval search for the Philosopher's Stone.Trade Review'This book contains a series of essays and lectures written by one whose spiritual development was personally overseen by the great anthroposophist Rudolf Steiner … I really enjoyed it, and learned a lot!'-- Inner Light Magazine, Summer 2008'Stein explores the early development of the mythic corpus of Grail legends … Highly recommended.'-- BM Cauldron, May 2008'Walter Johnnes Stein was a polymath who was one of the leading followers of Steiner. It was a lecture by Stein in the 1930s that kindled the spiritual insight of the then agnostic Sir George Trevelyan … One of the most interesting parts is the first chapter of the memoirs in which the author describes his own background, education and encounter with Steiner … This is the work of an erudite man steeped in western culture but whose spiritual sight has also been opened. It is a remarkable series of essays.'-- Scientific and Medical Network Review, Spring 2008

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Book SynopsisExplores the power of Bible stories, fairy tales, and the Odysseus, Parsifal and Oedipus stories, considering how that power can be used to help children's healthy development.Trade Review'This beautifully written and wise book taps into a deep source, the spring of imagination. The author [...] gives very helpful examples of certain stories particularly well-suited to different ages, explaining how each matches and reflects the child's developing consciousness. If you have anything to do with children, buy this book. If you have anything to do with yourself, buy it as well.'-- Matthew Barton, New View, summer 2007'This book is about nurturing children's imagination and consciousness by the means of stories, the author calls this Story Medicine, whereby ancient traditions used stories as a means of transformation and healing ... This is a very important study of the role of stories in shaping our culture, reminding the reader of their central role.'-- David Lorimer, Scientific and Medical Network Review'Kornberger reminds us of the most powerful reason for using stories, that of helping children to understand their world and to overcome challenges ... If you read no other book about the importance of storytelling and the power of stories, I would recommend buying this book ... The book contains many stories that you will be familiar with and some that may be new. It will offer you a new way of looking at rhymes and stories and why they form an essential part of development.'-- Early Years Educator, January 2009

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Book SynopsisA collection of stories represented by the carvings at Rosslyn Chapel, drawn from the beginnings of the world, Ancient Egypt, the Holy Land, Celtic myth and Scottish history.Trade Review'Peter Snow opens up the spiritual treasury of Rosslyn as a medieval storybook for modern times. Eschewing pseudo history, he marries the stories and the symbols to delight and inspire.'-- Donald Smith, Director, Scottish Storytelling Centre'Through giving examples of recent and intersting discoveries about the chapel, Peter Snow points out that it is still 'revealing its secrects'. With its mixture of tales and historical snippets I found A Rosslyn Treasury offered an interesting and entertaining way of learning a great deal about Rosslyn Chapel itself together with the symbology and meaning behind its many carvings.' -- Rosemary Usselman, New View'Rosslyn Chapel exerts an enduring fascination, drawing visitors from all over the world to a small building that one would image can hardly contain all the expectations of it. Yet despite the hype and nonsense, it retains its romance, this book may be a key as to why… Snow illustrates the story's role as an act of pilgrimage'-- Northern Earth, issue 120'The author suggest that this building needs to be understood at three levels: physical, spiritual and divine; this is the meaning of sacred art as a way of raising conciousness to the divine by means of physical manifestation'-- Scientific and Medical Network Review. Winter 2009/10'Peter Snow's Rosslyn Treasury picks up on the lore/legend theme in an eloquent celebration of Rosslyn as a place of story. Finely produced – and told – this is a testimony to the continuing power of legend.'-- Blethers , Scottish Storytelling Centre and NetworkTable of ContentsPreface: Rosslyn and its stories and legendsIntroduction: A Brief History of Rosslyn1. The Expulsion from Eden2. The Golden Legend3. The Green Men -- Osiris4. Hermes Trismegistus5. Melchizedek, Abraham and Isaac6. Moses7. The Temple of Solomon8. Elijah9. The Three Kings10. Saint Veronica11. The Soldiers of Golgotha12. The Cockle Shell13. Mani and the Cathars14. The Twin Dragons15. The Legend of the Holy Grail16. Saint Margaret17. The Rise and Fall of the Templars18. The Heart of Robert the Bruce19. The Rose Cross: A Fantasy of Rosslyn20. The Last of the TemplarsEpilogue

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Book SynopsisFirst published in 1959, Iona and Peter Opie's The Lore and Language of Schoolchildren is a pathbreaking work of scholarship that is also a splendid and enduring work of literature. Going outside the nursery, with its assortment of parent-approved entertainments, to observe and investigate the day-to-day creative intelligence and activities of children, the Opies bring to life the rites and rhymes, jokes and jeers, laws, games, and secret spells of what has been called 'the greatest of savage tribes, and the only one which shows no signs of dying out.'

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Book SynopsisAll you need to know about the Island's myths, legends and its gods.

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Book SynopsisCollected by Heinrich Rink, this is the translation of the first book printed in Greenland.Trade ReviewLovers of folk narrative who may wish to sample a less familiar—to many of us at least—storytelling tradition will find much to delight and much to ponder in the present book, which I warmly recommend for its fascinating storytelling and fine illustrations. * Journal of Folklore Research *

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Book SynopsisBrought to you by Penguin.Following the bestselling retellings of the Greek myths in Mythos and Heroes, Stephen Fry''s bewitching third volume Troy - concerning love and war, passion and power - is now ready for ordering.The story of Troy speaks to all of us - the kidnapping of Helen, a queen celebrated for her beauty, sees the Greeks launch a thousand ships against the city of Troy, to which they will lay siege for ten whole and very bloody years.It is Zeus, the king of the gods, who triggers the war when he asks the Trojan prince Paris to judge the fairest goddess of them all. Aphrodite bribes Paris with the heart of Helen, wife of King Menelaus of the Greeks, and, naturally, nature takes its course.It is a terrible, brutal war with casualties on all sides as well as strained relations between allies. The Greek''s most fearsome warrior, Achilles, argues with King Agamemnon, his commander, over another woman, the TrTrade ReviewAn amiable meander through the historic sources . . . Fry's light and graceful tone helps to ease the unfamiliar reader through the complicated genealogies * The Times *An inimitable retelling of the siege of Troy . . . Fry's narrative, artfully humorous and rich in detail, breathes life and contemporary relevance into these ancient tales * Observer *Fry's lively writing certainly conveys his lifelong passion for Greek myths . . . It's a rollicking good read * Independent *Perfect for the 21st Century. Ebullient, funny, Fry retells the Greek myths with elegance * The Times *Lively, humorous and intimate, this retelling has real charm * Guardian *A wondrous new immersion in ancient stories we only thought we knew. Brilliant, funny, erudite, inventive, surprising and enthralling -- Richard North PattersonTragedy and passion abound as Fry retells the epic siege of Troy * Metro *Stephen Fry takes the reader into the heart of a story both mythical and grounded in history * Northern Life Magazine *This pacy, witty retelling is beautifully illustrated, with an epilogue explaining the myths and historical reality of Troy * Daily Mail *Astonishing . . . an excellent read * The Oldie *Curl up on your sofa as Stephen brings to life the legendary . . . passionate and powerful story of Troy * The List *Fry is a genial guide to Greek mythology * Daily Telegraph *Fry's knowledge of the world - ancient and modern - bursts through at the seams . . . The reader will find themselves on a fun romp through the world's greatest story * Daily Telegraph *Full of heroism, desire and drama * Eastern Daily Press *Fry really brings the tale to life, adding his own wry humour to the mix . . . Well worth a read * The Hunsbury Handbook *A story thousands of years old, only Fry could rewrite this so captivating as ever * School House *Fry takes us from the founding myth of Troy, through its most famous inhabitants and the infamous war, to the razing of the city by the vengeful and victorious Achaeans * Times *

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Book SynopsisPrepare to be spellbound by Chris Riddell''s dazzling full-colour illustrations in this stunning new collector''s edition of The Tales of Beedle the Bard, J.K. Rowling''s glorious fairytale classic. This beautiful, deluxe edition features an opulent page size and a pull-out double gatefold; intricate foiled artwork by Chris Riddell on the real cloth cover and slipcase; an exclusive print of Albus Dumbledore; and a luxurious ribbon marker and head and tail band. The ultimate must-have edition for any Potter fan, collector or bibliophile, it is set to become a firm favourite at bedtime in non-magical households the world over.Much loved by generations of witches and wizards since they first appeared in the fifteenth century, these five rollicking and mischievous tales are a deeply satisfying read in the tradition of all great fables and fairytales. Kindnesses are rewarded and selfishness shown to be the ruin of many a wizard. Burping cauldrons, hairy hearts and

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Book SynopsisThis book explores a part of the King Arthur story often ignored - his exploits on the continent. By reexamining the evidence, Howell challenges convention and offers a compelling argument that connects the legend with a real historical event involving the invasion and conquest of much of Western Europe.

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Book SynopsisIn this groundbreaking study, Adam Gussow takes the full measure of the devil's presence in the blues. Working from original transcriptions of more than 125 recordings released during the past ninety years, Gussow explores the varied uses to which black southern blues people have put this trouble-sowing, love-wrecking, but also empowering figure.

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Book Synopsis''Leo Ruickbie''s impeccably-written The Impossible Zoo is a menagerie like no other, as its exotic inhabitants are fabulous in every sense of the word. So for anyone who has ever wished that dragons and unicorns were real, for anyone who believes that they are, and for anyone who peruses bestiaries with unbridled joy, this magical, mystical, and truly memorable book is definitely for you - and for me!''Dr Karl Shuker, author of A Manifestation of MonstersHERE BE DRAGONS!Here you will find the things that once made the woods wild and the nights to be feared; that made ancient map-makers write, ''Here be Dragons''.The Impossible Zoo is a biology of the supernatural - a study of the life of things that never lived. This world of mermaids and unicorns, now confined to fantasy, but once believed to exist, is a world of the imagination that still affects us today.Wonderfully illustrated throughout, it also provides sources aTrade ReviewLeo Ruickbie's impeccably-written The Impossible Zoo is a menagerie like no other, as its exotic inhabitants are fabulous in every sense of the word. So for anyone who has ever wished that dragons and unicorns were real, for anyone who believes that they are, and for anyone who peruses bestiaries with unbridled joy, this magical, mystical, and truly memorable book is definitely for you ­- and for me! -- Dr Karl Shuker, author of A Manifestation of MonstersRuickbie's truly outstanding writing has three major sources: his impressive level of scholarship; his determination to seek out strange and mysterious phenomena and pursue them relentlessly, objectively and scientifically; and his great literary skill in presenting his conclusions in readable and attractive prose.In The Impossible Zoo these three factors are clearly present. He is concerned here with what he, himself, describes and defines as parazoology - clearly distinct from cryptozoology. The latter focuses on hidden animal forms: Ruickbie's parazoology focuses on creatures that are beyond the range of normal zoology. He explains parazoology with great lucidity as the biology of the supernatural, the study of the lives of things that never existed - a study that takes in, for example, mermaids and unicorns.His parazoological specimens were once believed to exist, and they exist now in the world of imagination - a world that can still have profound effects on contemporary life. Ruickbie's great achievement is to round up these strange beasts and confine them in his Impossible Zoo. The results of his work are truly fascinating and his detailed analysis and descriptions of his multitudinous parazoological specimens are enthralling.I give The Impossible Zoo a very high recommendation indeed. -- Revd Lionel Fanthorpe, FRSA, author and President of the Association for the Scientific Study of Anomalous Phenomena

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Book SynopsisDom Joly sets off round the world, but this time he''s not looking to holiday in a danger zone - he''s monster hunting. Ever since he was given a copy of Arthur C. Clarke''s Mysterious World for his ninth birthday Dom has been obsessed with the world of cryptozoology - monster hunting - and in Scary Monsters and Super Creeps he heads to six completely different destinations to investigate local monster sightings. He explores the Redwood Curtain in northern California in search of Sasquatch; in Canada he visits Lake Okanagan hoping to catch a glimpse of a thirty-foot snake-like creature called Ogopogo; and near Lake Tele in Congo he risks his life tracking the vegetarian sauropod Mokele-mbembe. Naturally he heads to Loch Ness - but for this hunt he has his family in tow; he treks across the Khumbu Valley in Nepal looking for Yeti; and in the hills above Hiroshima in Japan he enlists the help of a local man to find the Hibagon, a terribly smelly ''Trade ReviewEngaging and entertaining, the sort of book that makes you want to one day share a long-haul flight with Dom, if only to joust elbows with him -- Tim Butcher, bestselling author

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Book SynopsisFor fans of Neil Gaiman and Welcome to Night Vale, Aaron Mahnke''s The World of Lore (based on the popular LORE podcast) explores the chilling truth behind the legendary creatures, peculiar people and horrific places that arouse our deepest fears. For you see, sometimes the truth is more frightening than fiction...Volume 3: Dreadful PlacesHumans have an uncanny ability to leave their indelible mark. Homes can sometimes reflect the characteristics of their occupants and even cities become more and more like living beings after a century or two. So, it''s logical to assume that darker deeds, horrible tragedies, and the worst of human nature all might leave a nefarious taint on some of these places.This third book in The World of Lore series will explore dark and dreadful places on land and at sea, places haunted by tragedy and filled with echo es of evil. These are the stories about cities, and buildings, too, from New

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