Folklore studies / Study of myth Books

Book SynopsisIn the opinion of one of the world''s leading naturalists, not one, but possibly four kinds of abominable snowmen, still walk the earth! Do they really live on the fringes of the towering Himalayas and the edge of myth-haunted Tibet? They do, but you are far more likely to catch one in the United States! Northern California and its almost impenetrable Klamath Forests may hide the astonishing evidence. From how many areas in the world have factual reports of wild, strange, hairy men emanated? Reports of strange apemen have come in from every continent, except Antarctica. In this book, Ivan Sanderson, who accumulated material for 30 years on this subject, explains in language as plain and clear as a news flash just why no Snowman (ABSM) has ever been captured or kept for a zoo or a museum - although one was captured during the last century, in Canada. Contents include: A Brief History of ABSMery; Reports from Canada (1860 to 1960); Abominable Affairs in the U.S.; Happenings in Northern California; Affairs in Central and South America; Reports from Sumatra and the Malay Peninsula; Things in the Indo-Chinese Peninsula; ABSMs in the Himalaya and the Great Gutter; Russian Findings in the Caucasus and Thereabouts; Current Conditions on the Great Mongolian Uplands; The Physical Evidence for ABSMs; Established Fossil Apes and Men; Myths, Legends, and Folklore; Some Basic Geography and Vegatology; Sundry Objectionable Facts; Certain Abominable Conclusions and more.

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Book SynopsisDavid Childress, popular author and star of the History Channel''s show, Ancient Aliens, brings us a stunning tale of archaeological investigation on a megalithic scale. Childress looks into the enigma of obelisks and their purpose. Egyptologists tell us that obelisks are granite towers that symbolise a ray of the sun - a megalithic symbol of the Sun God Ra, later to be called Aton. Some obelisks weigh over 500 tons and are massive blocks of polished granite that would be extremely difficult to quarry and erect even with modern equipment. Why did ancient civilisations in Egypt, Ethiopia and elsewhere undertake the massive enterprise it would have been to erect a single obelisk, much less dozens of them? Were obelisks more than simple monuments? Were they energy towers that could receive or transmit energy? Childress takes us on an amazing journey through the history of the obelisk and its probable purpose as an energy tower. With discussions on Tesla''s wireless power, and the use of obelisks as gigantic acupuncture needles for earth, Childress shows us what the ancients were trying to achieve with their mysterious obelisks. Chapters include: Megaliths Around the World and their Purpose; Mysteries of the Unfinished Obelisk; The Crystal Towers of Egypt; The Obelisks of Ethiopia; Obelisks in Europe and Asia; Mysterious Obelisks in the Americas; Round Towers, Obelisks and Earth Energies; The Terrible Crystal Towers of Atlantis; Tesla''s Wireless Power Distribution System; Obelisks on the Moon and more.

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Book SynopsisThere were giants on the earth in those days...These ancient giants, many of whom stood between ten and twelve feet in height, were kings and rulers, shamans and mighty warriors. They occupied the upper echelon of ancient societies and were members of an elite bloodline carefully preserved for millennia. They were the gods and demigods of the ancient mythologies.In the first part of the book, worldwide myths and legends of giants are explored in depth. Nearly every culture from the Americas to the far-flung corners of the globe tell of people of enormous stature. The stories cannot all be wrong. Also discussed are various religious texts such as the Bible which famously declared there were giants in those days; the Book of Enoch that chronicles the disastrous result of the Watchers taking human wives; the Kebra Nagast and the Book of Giants expand on both the Biblical and Enochian accounts; the Book of Moses sheds light on the topic from a Mormon perspective; the sacred book of the May

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Book SynopsisThis book offers for the first-time detailed insights into England''s St Michael leyline, the celebrated straight track whose dragon energies (Michael and Mary) travel coast-to-coast from Cornwall to Norfolk. Along its 364-mile length are some of the most renowned megalithic, historical and otherworldly features found anywhere in the world. British researcher Nigel Graddon takes us on a special journey to explore these magnificent locations. We learn of Britain''s special place in the origins of ancient wisdom and of the Sun-Men who taught it to a humanity in its infancy. Aspects of these teachings are to found all along the St Michael ley: at Glastonbury, Britain''s holyeste erthe and the hallowed location of Merlin and Arthur''s Avalon; in the design and layout of the extraordinary Somerset Zodiac of which Glastonbury is a major part; in the amazing stone circles and serpentine avenues at Avebury and nearby Silbury Hill: portals to unimaginable worlds of mystery and enchantment; the Gods in the FieldsWiltshire''s incredible volume of mind blowing crop circles and their invisible makers; Graddon''s exciting discovery of the St. Michael ley''s Golden Ratio position and its enchanting connections between Lewis Carroll, Alice in Wonderland and the fairyfolk; and, not least, the enduring tales of high strangeness east of the line, including Suffolk''s history of X-Files time-slip phenomena and the infamous UFO events (Britain''s Roswell) in the county''s Rendlesham Forest. Chapters include: Britain: Key, Lock and Door; Michael, Mary and Merlin; England''s West Country; The Glastonbury Zodiac; Wiltshire; The Gods in the Fields; Michael, Mary and Alice; East of the Line; Table of Michael and Mary locations; more.

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Book SynopsisDo people go missing in the national parks of the United States and Canada? Yes, they do. In fact, an astonishing number of people go missing in these national parks every year. Many of these people are found some days or weeks later - alive and dead - but some just vanish forever. There are lots of cases of people wandering alone into national parks and disappearing, but many of the reports are about people who are with others, but inevitably they end up alone at some point and then they mysteriously vanish. Is it possible that the elusive animal known as bigfoot is responsible for some of these deaths and disappearances? Starting with the most recent case in the summer of 2021 and moving back through time, Childress unravels some of these truly bizarre cases of missing hikers and discovers a frightening reality - many hikers on trails are being carefully watched. Chapters include: A Missing Boy in Idaho; The Strange Case of Dale Stehling at Mesa Verde; Some Baffling Recent Disappearances; Vanishing People in Colorado; The Disturbing Death of Jaryd Atadero; Taking a Selfie with Bigfoot?; Friend of the DevilDisabled Topaz Miner Disappears; Missing People in the Smokey Mountains; The Dangers of Yosemite National Park; Missing Hunters and Park Rangers; A Fascination with Shoes and Boots; Can You Prosecute the Boogey Man?

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Book SynopsisFrench explorer and anthropologist Thierry Jamin rdiscusses his findings from his years in Peru in search of the lost Inca city of Paititi plus his most recent escapades with non-human skeletons at Nazca on the coast.Chapters include: On the Path of Adventure; On the Tracks of the Lost City of the Incas; Machu Picchu and the Mystery of the Secret Room; The Strange Square Mountain; Where It All Begins; In the Footsteps of Mario; Summit Meeting; Strange Relics; The New B.E.; A Mysterious Man in Black; Three Eggs!; The Incredible Hybrid; First Results. and New B.E.; The Lima Conference; The Real False Site; The Familia; Analysis and Pressure on All Sides!; The Final Proof; The Starchild; Transfer of the Mummies; The Ica Conference; The Flight Over the Gran Paititi; The Case Of Nazca Continues; more.

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Book SynopsisThe life of a princess raised by a loving father and three doting brothers would seem like a bed of roses to any woman. But born out of sacred fire, Draupadi is no ordinary woman, and her destiny cannot be to walk the beaten path. Witnessing estrangement and betrayal within her own family makes her perceptive and intuitive beyond her years. A complicated marital relationship, a meteoric rise and a fateful loss, humiliation unheard of and a pledge of revenge, all culminating in a bloody warher o

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Book SynopsisIncluding a gang of smugglers and an ugly face-pulling competition, not only will children love to read them, or listen to them being read, the tales will also stimulate an interest in the area, and help children engage with their own surroundings wherever they live .

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Book SynopsisAn oracle deck with wisdom from dragons and their wise dragon riders Dragons, the oldest creatures in our universe, have accompanied gods, goddesses, planets, angels, elves, and ascended masters through the ages. Together these pairings of dragon and dragon rider create powerful energetic fields that can support us on our way to higher levels of consciousness. You will connect with dragon riders from all times, countries, and cultures, such as Kuan Yin, Archangel Michael, Mother Mary, planet god Mars, the Celtic goddess Ceridwen, and Mother Earth, along with their ancient dragon companions. The deck also includes two joker cards, featuring cats, which, like dragons, magically connect our world to the spirit world. The jokers indicate a great opportunity at hand and, instead of a message, they offer a ritual to support you in making the leap to the next level. In the guidebook the author explores the different light-filled realms from which the

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Book SynopsisThis is a faery tarot with a difference, uncompromising in its portrayal of faeries as they really are: sly, frequently cruel, cleverer than humans and full of secrets, rather than the whimsical, sweet-natured creatures beloved of the Victorians and the New Age. It's the world of Christina Rossetti's Goblin Market, a place where all denizens of the Otherworld come to buy and sell, to mingle and exchange gossip. It is a place unsafe for humans. But imagine if you could look through a window onto the scene, as Christina Rossetti does in her poem? Imagine the beings you would see there ... Here is a tarot of wit and wickedness, of challenge and uncertainty, of wonder and truth. This 80-card deck with 176-page guidebook offers as the Major Arcana a gallery of strange and wonderful creatures, from the Faery Queen to the Wiseman, plus intriguing motifs from the poem, such as the Secret Way and the Fallen Tree. Minor suits represent magical implements, fruits, flowers and elements. Enter a haunted, magical world – an enchanting landscape of falling towers, crumbling walls and tangled woods, of streams tumbling amongst mossy stones, of fallen trees and bones threaded with vines and spiked roses. Prepare to be enspelled ... and to discover the answers to your questions and dilemmas.

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Book SynopsisExpand your bird knowledge with this gorgeous encyclopedia of nearly 400 bird species around the world, unique for its inclusion of both their physical and mythological characteristics.If you’re a nature lover who thrives on bird videos and photography, go beyond the scope of standard field guides with this comprehensive reference. Each entry of The Complete Language of Birds provides not only the bird’s name and physical qualities, but also its history, symbolic meanings, and hidden properties from mythology, legends, and folklore. Within the pages of this colorful volume, you’ll find:  Beautiful illustrations and descriptions of common and unusual birds  Notes on the surprising properties and powers of birds Discussions of the symbolism and mythological significance of each bird species Dive into an unusual dimension of historical and arcane kno

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Book SynopsisDiscover the meanings, powers, facts, and folklore for over 500 herbs and spices in The Complete Language of Herbs—now in a pocket-size edition for easy, on-the-go reference. Along with a beautiful visual depiction, each entry provides the herb or spice’s scientific and common names, characteristics, and historic meanings and powers from mythology, medieval legends, folklore, and flower poetry. Did you know that allspice can be added to herbal mixtures to attract money or luck? Or that sprinkling arrowroot at the doors of your home will keep guests’ negative energy from entering? Reaching the height of popularity during the Victorian era, floriographies—dictionaries of symbolic flower meanings—were an amusing pastime and art to subtly communicate unspoken emotions. To complement the success of The Complete Language of Flowers, author S. Theresa Dietz has scoured historic sources and compiled an equally beautiful compendium in The Complete Language of Herbs, revealing the secrets and powers of hundreds of common and forgotten herbs and spices from around the world. Together with stunning full-color illustrations and two indexes, one for searching by common herb and spice name and the other organized by meaning, this beautiful reference is a must-have for gardeners, chefs, party planners, and food enthusiasts. Table of Contents Introduction How to Use This Book A – Z Works Consulted Acknowledgments About the Author Photo Credits List of Culinary Herbs Index of Common Herb Names Index of Common Meanings & Powers

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Book SynopsisKent boasts a plethora of characterising traditions which include hop-growing, smuggling and saints. All this reflects the curious history and geography of the area. It is bounded by sea on three sides, has the longest coastline of any English county and was the base for much maritime activity. This included trade and invasions, which gave rise to communities rich in sea-lore. This book also covers topics such as seasonal customs including harvest traditions; drama; witchcraft, saints and holy wells; and the background and songs surrounding fruit and hop-growing. This book charts the traditional culture of a populous and culturally significant southern county.

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Book SynopsisWho was Merlin? Is the famous wizard of Arthurian legend based on a real person? In this book, Merlin's origins are traced back to the story of Lailoken, a mysterious 'wild man' who is said to have lived in the Scottish Lowlands in the sixth century AD. The book considers the question of whether Lailoken belongs to myth or reality. It looks at the historical background of his story and discusses key characters such as Saint Kentigern of Glasgow and King Rhydderch of Dumbarton, as well as important events such as the Battle of Arfderydd. Lailoken's reappearance in medieval Welsh literature as the fabled prophet Myrddin is also examined. Myrddin himself was eventually transformed into Merlin the wizard, King Arthur's friend and mentor. This is the Merlin we recognise today, not only in art and literature but also on screen. His earlier forms are less familiar, more remote, but can still be found among the lore and legend of the Dark Ages. Behind them we catch fleeting glimpses of an original figure who perhaps really did exist: a solitary fugitive, tormented by his experience of war, who roamed the hills and forests of southern Scotland long ago.Trade Review'Tim Clarkson should be congratulated on producing a book which marries together painstaking and detailed research with common-sense and open-minded analysis ... The book that emerges succeeds in cutting through centuries of confusion and complexity in a way that is deeply impressive' - Undiscovered Scotland

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Book SynopsisIn a magisterial work, Jaan Puhvel unravels the prehistoric Indo-Euopean origins of the traditions of India and Iran, Greece and Rome, of the Celts, Germans, Balts, and Slavs. Utilizing the methodologies of historical linguistics and archaeology, he reconstructs a shared religious, mytholoigcal, and cultural heritage. Separate chapters on individual traditions as well as on recurrent theesgod and warrior, king and virgin, fire and watergive life to Comparative Mythology as both a general introduction and a detaled reference.Trade ReviewA judicious evaluation of what has been written about Indo-European mythology over the past forty years. Times Literary SupplementTable of ContentsPrefaceIntroductionPart I: DirectionsChapter 1. The Study of MythChapter 2. Creation Myth in the Ancient Near EastChapter 3. The Concepts "Indo-European" and "Indo-Iranian"Part II: TraditionsChapter 4. Vedic IndiaChapter 5. Epic IndiaChapter 6. Ancient IranChapter 7. Epic IranChapter 8. Ancient GreeceChapter 9. Ancient RomeChapter 10. Celtic MythChapter 11. Germanic MythChapter 12. Baltic and Slavic MythPart III: ThemesChapter 13. God and WarriorChapter 14. King and VirginChapter 15. Horse and RulerChapter 16. Fire in WaterChapter 17. Twin and BrotherIndex

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Book SynopsisAll regions and places are unique in their own way, but the Ozarks have an enduring place in American culture. Studying the Ozarks offers the ability to explore American life through the lens of one of the last remaining cultural frontiers in American society. Perhaps because the Ozarks were relatively isolated from mainstream American society, or were at least relegated to the margins of it, their identity and culture are liminal and oftentimes counter to mainstream culture. Whatever the case, looking at the Ozarks offers insights into changing ideas about what it means to be an American and, more specifically, a special type of southerner. In Where Misfits Fit: Counterculture and Influence in the Ozarks, Thomas Michael Kersen explores the people who made a home in the Ozarks and the ways they contributed to American popular culture. Drawing on a wide variety of sources, Kersen argues the area attracts and even nurtures people and groups on the margins of the mainstream. T

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Book SynopsisIn Frankenstein Was a Vegetarian: Essays on Food Choice, Identity, and Symbolism, Michael Owen Jones tackles topics often overlooked in foodways. At the outset he notes it was Victor Frankenstein''s daemon in Mary Shelley''s novel that advocated vegetarianism, not the scientist whose name has long been attributed to his creature. Jones explains how we communicate through what we eat, the connection between food choice and who we are or want to appear to be, the ways that many of us self-medicate moods with foods, and the nature of disgust. He presents fascinating case studies of religious bigotry and political machinations triggered by rumored bans on pork, the last meal requests of prisoners about to be executed, and the Utopian vision of Percy Bysshe Shelley, one of England''s greatest poets, that was based on a vegetable diet like the creature''s meals in Frankenstein. Jones also scrutinizes how food is used and abused on the campaign trail, how gender issue

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Book SynopsisIn Finding Myself Lost in Louisiana, author Keagan LeJeune brilliantly weaves the unusual folklore, landscape, and history of Louisiana along with his own family lineage that begins in 1760 to trace the trajectory of people's lives in the Bayou State.Trade ReviewKeagan LeJeune argues that despite the challenges of climate change, a troubled economy, and racial inequity, the idiosyncrasies of Louisiana’s geography, mythology, and people make it a place worth fighting for." - Shane Rasmussen, director of the Louisiana Folklife Center, Northwestern State University"Combining memoir with careful research, LeJeune’s work approaches the culture and landscape of Louisiana through the lens of solastalgia, a term coined by Glenn Albrecht for the feeling of homesickness when one has not left home. Finding Myself Lost in Louisiana beautifully depicts Louisiana’s folklore and traditions through the personal journey of its narrator." - Marcia Gaudet, author of Carville: Remembering Leprosy in America

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Book SynopsisFor 25 centuries, the animal stories which go by the name of Aesop’s Fables have amused and instructed generations of children and adults alike. They are still as fresh and poignant today as they were to the ancient Greeks who composed them. This beautifully illustrated edition contains some of the best-loved fables, including the Boy who cried Wolf, the Lion and the Mouse, the Goose that Laid the Golden Egg, the Hare and the Tortoise, and The Town Mouse and the Country Mouse alongside many of the lesser-known tales. These timeless stories are illustrated with 35 wood engravings by Agnes Miller Parker (1895–1980), one of the greatest British wood engraving artists of the twentieth century. Parker was influenced by the art of Wyndham Lewis and the Cubist and Vorticist movements which flourished in the period between the wars. Her distinctive work is strikingly stylised and deceptively simple. Commissioned in the 1930s by the fine press publisher, Gregynog Press, for their edition of the work, these exquisite wood engravings inspired by the fables are among Parker's finest.

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Book SynopsisThis handsome hardback journal features ten new mini stories about everyone’s favourite fox, reimagined by 'Reynard the Fox' author Anne Louise Avery. Told by Reynard to his three little cubs on a moonlit spring night in the east of Flanders, each of the two-page stories is based on old medieval French vulpine tales, drawn from Marie de France’s version of Aesop, 'Ysopet', Guillaume Tardif’s 'Les Apologues et Fables de Laurens Valle' and 'Le Roman de Renart'. Some tell of Reynard’s antics, others of the exploits of his noble and mythic ancestors. Foxes tumble into dyer’s vats, steal twists of eels from unsuspecting fisherman, lounge around Black Sea ports and are transformed into eternal and glittering stars. With a stylish ribbon marker, foiled spine and high-quality ruled pages, this notebook is a stationery-lover’s delight as well as the perfect gift for fans of Avery’s captivating story-telling and all those entranced by this enduring animal fable.

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Book SynopsisFrom antiquity to the Middle Ages, the bear’s centrality in cults and mythologies left traces in European languages, literatures, and legends. Michel Pastoureau considers how this once venerated creature was deposed by Christianity and continued to sink lower in the symbolic bestiary before rising again in Pyrrhic triumph as the teddy bear.Trade ReviewPastoureau brings erudition and expertise to his subject as he traces how the bear was a venerated figure in pagan Europe, but dethroned as king of beasts by Christianity. He makes an important contribution by providing a long history of the bear, an animal whose symbolic importance is unknown by many. Readers will be treated to an elegant review of medieval history and theology, as well as informed discussions about the art on cave walls, the boundary between humans and animals in Greek myth, the philosophical foundations of natural history from Aristotle to Buffon, and a wealth of information about popular culture during the Middle Ages and Renaissance. -- Matthew Senior, Oberlin CollegeThe scholarship displayed in this groundbreaking study is the best kind: deep, broad, imaginative. Medievalist Pastoureau takes on the history of the bear, that exceptional animal once said to most resemble man. Once king of the beasts in the West, at times even god, the bear was hunted down in Europe from the time of Charlemagne (d. 814) and its image systematically degraded. By the end of the 12th century, the bear's place as king of the beasts had been usurped by the lion. Henceforth the bear was largely a figure of ridicule. How did this happen? What purposes did the change serve? Pastoureau uses evidence from history, textual analysis, heraldry, anthropology, and iconography to produce an eclectic study that not only reads like a dream but opens avenues for future research. -- David Keymer * Library Journal *William Kotzwinkle (The Bear Went Over the Mountain) and Bella Pollen (The Summer of the Bear) have already demonstrated the appeal of ursine protagonists. But their treatment of our bruinish cousins is nowhere near as encyclopedic as that of Michel Pastoureau, who starts his survey in prehistory and rambles down to the present, tracing the biology, allure, and legends of bears right up to the cuddly teddy bear that represents a hearthside version of the former king of beasts. * Barnes & Noble Review *The animal that dominated the forests of prehistoric and early medieval Europe--and the collective unconscious of Europeans--was, naturally, the largest and strongest creature there, the brown bear...Uncannily human-like in its diet, supposed sexual tastes and ability to stand upright, the bear was seen as an intermediary creature dwelling between the human and animal worlds. It appears in countless myths: Paris, who stole away Helen and sparked the Trojan War, was raised by a she-bear whose milk gave him a taste for abduction. And it has always provided personal names in various European languages, from the epic hero Beowulf (meaning bee-wolf, meaning honey-loving bear) to tennis ace Bjorn (Bear) Borg. What drove Europe's king of beasts from his throne and demoted him to the pitiful dancing entertainer of the late Middle Ages is the core of Pastoureau's engrossing book. And the short answer is Christianity. -- Brian Bethune * Maclean's *The chief subject of Pastoureau's fascinating book...is not the prominent place bears once held in the human imagination but the manner in which they fell from that place. -- Christopher R. Beha * New York Times Book Review *

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Book SynopsisFrom the award-winning creators Neil Gaiman and Colleen Doran comes a stunning new graphic novel.An elderly widow buys what turns out to be the Holy Grail from a second-hand shop, setting her off on an epic adventure with a knight who brings her gifts of ancient relics in hope of winning the cup.From the Eisner and Bram Stoker-award winning team of Snow, Glass, Apples comes a delightfully humorous and charming new graphic novel adaptation.---''Like Ray Bradbury before him, [Neil Gaiman] writes lovely little horror stories, fairy tales and fantasies which are as familiar as they are fabulous, stories that are never quite what the reader expects...'' A.V. CLUB''A combination of a superb script, with Gaiman at his evocative, inventive best, and masterful artwork from Doran'' STARBURST on Snow, Glass, ApplesTrade ReviewThis sumptuous, adults-only comic book adaptation brings the acclaimed writer's short story to vivid life . . . [Doran] creates imagery and visuals that'll linger in your mind's eye long after you close the book . . .Snow, Glass, Apples is a combination of a superb script, with Gaiman at his evocative, inventive best, and masterful artwork from Doran. * Starburst *A must for any fan of American Gods or the work of Neil Gaiman... [sitting] alongside the TV series and the novel as another way to tackle and understand Gaiman's deep, rich narrative * Starburst *

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Book SynopsisSita, a revered princess of Mithila, chose acceptance and grace in her life filled with sacrifice. Her deep love for Rama and infinite patience reflect her divine yet human nature. Through Bhanumathi's narration, we see the world through Sita's eyes, feeling her emotions and understanding the true strength of a woman.

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Book SynopsisOnce upon a time in the city of Tunis, a flirtatious young girl was drawn into Lilith''s dangerous web by glancing repeatedly at herself in the mirror. It seems that a demon daughter of the legendary Lilith had made her home in the mirror and would soon completely possess the unsuspecting girl. Such tales of terror and the supernatural occupy an honored position in the Jewish folkloric tradition. Howard Schwartz has superbly translated and retold fifty of the best of these folktales, now collected into one volume for the first time. Gathered from countless sources ranging from the ancient Middle East to twelfth-century Germany and later Eastern European oral tradition, these captivating stories include Jewish variants of the Pandora and Persephone myths and of such famous folktales as The Fisherman and His Wife, The Sorcerer''s Apprentice, and Bluebeard, as well as several tales from the Middle Ages that have never before been published. Focusing on crucial turning points in life--birth, marriage, and death--the tales feature wandering spirits, marriage with demons, werewolves, speaking heads, possession by dybbuks (souls of the dead who enter the bodies of the living), and every other kind of supernatural adversary. Readers will encounter a carpenter who is haunted when he makes a violin from the wood of a coffin; a wife who saves herself from the demoness her husband has inadvertently married by agreeing to share him for an hour each day; and the age-old tale of Lilith, Adam''s first wife, who refused to submit to him and instead banished herself from the Garden of Eden to give birth to the demons of the world. Drawn from Rabbinic sources, medieval Jewish folklore, Hasidic texts, and oral tradition, these stories will equally entrance readers of Jewish literature and those with an affection for fantasy and the supernatural.Trade ReviewImagine an American Hans Christian Andersen, conceive of the Brothers Grimm living in Missouri, and you will approximate Howard Schwartz, a fable-maker and fable-gatherer seduced by the uncanny and the unearthly. In Lilith's Cave, he once again reaches into a magical cornucopia of folklore and fantasy and spreads before us, in enchanting language, the marvels and shocks of dybbuks, ghosts, demons, spirits, and wizards. * Cynthia Ozick *Howard Schwartz continues to mine the rich vein of Jewish story with marvelous results....These engrossing tales travel the breadth and depth of Jewish tradition, encompassing not only the holy and enlightened, but the other side of the Jews' fears and longings as well. * Jane Yolen, editor of Favorite Folktales from Around the World *Howard Schwartz is a leader in a generation of Jews devoted to rebuilding that which was nearly destroyed a few mere decades ago. He sifts through the ashes and finds sparks and fragments of a spiritual world which offers us light and sustenance. Contained within these tales is an authentic voice of the Jewish people. Howard Schwartz is therefore like an angel: he is a messenger between worlds, bringing gifts from one to another. * Arthur Kurzweil, editor-in-chief, Jewish Book Club *A collection of fifty captivating stories....Fascinating....An excellent translation, a scholarly introduction, and a good system of cross-reference ensure that this book will become a classic in its genre. * The Jerusalem Post *The selections for this collection afford a fascinating vision of life beyond the Yenne Velt, the 'Other World'....Both a scholarly investigation into a valuable repository of human history and an engaging journey into the shadowy world of our ancestors' fears. * Midstream *Howard Schwartz is an excellent teller of tales and an erudite editor....The writing and choice of tales is lively, thoughtful, and emotionally engaging. * Genesis 2 *Howard Schwartz...possesses two of the most marvelous gifts one can receive: he is both a born storyteller and a wise scholar in the realm of Jewish mystical folklore and tales of the supernatural. * St. Louis Jewish Light *These fifty Jewish tales of the supernatural, dug up...and retold by our leading tale-recycler, will delight fans of goose pimples. * Sh'ma *A delightful collection of tales of Jewish ghosts, demons, magic, holy and powerful rabbis, and seductive demonesses, Lilith's Cave could be great bedside reading for the coming winter nights. * Gnosis Magazine *The light and the dark interpenetrate here, as in life, and are caught in the dazzling patterns of Shulevitz's masterly illustrations....Schwartz provides nourishment for both male and female souls, and passes on tales collected from grandmothers, rabbis, and tailors. * Shaman's Drum *Enjoyable, whether in the literary-poetic versions of Howard Schwartz or in the oral-person voice of Pninnah Schram....As readers and lovers of folktales in general and of Jewish lore in particular, we can only praise the authors for making available, on a large scale, some hidden treasures of Jewish wisdom. * Jewish Folklore & Ethnology Review *Brings all the dark imagery of Jewish folklore alive. It presents a world of fearsome illusion. * Jewish Journal *Howard Schwartz has carved himself a special place by selecting and rewriting stories drawn from Jewish folk materials....A book to dip into and think about...entertaining and often intriguing. * St. Louis Post-Dispatch *See GABRIEL'S PALACE or ELIJAH'S VIOLIN for The Sagarin Review quote

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Book SynopsisDoes a hulking, hairy, 800-pound, nine-foot-tall, elusive primate roam the woods and forests throughout North America - and the world? Audio- recordings exist purporting to be the creatures' eerie chatter and bone-chilling screaming. Whether called Sasquatch, Yeti, Bigfoot or something else , bipedal primates appear in folklore, legends and eyewitness accounts in every state of the union and many places around the world. The fascination with the man-beast is stronger than ever in today's pop culture.Trade Review"A wild, woolly compendium of our man-ape obsessions." —Library Journal"... useful encyclopedia ... bang up-to-date. Newcomers to this complex topic will do well to start here." —Fortean Times"... thorough encyclopedia of the Bigfoot legend ..." —School Library Journal"... like all of Nick Redfern’s books, it is a damn good scary read." —Magonia Review of Books"... a comprehensive resource into the most notable creature known to Cryptozoology." —cryptosightings.com"The giftee you know who loves things that go stomp in the night will also love opening The Bigfoot Book, by Nick Redfern. It’s a book about large, hairy creatures: Yeti, Bigfoot, Sasquatch, Little Red Men, and other critters you don’t want to meet on a dark and stormy night." —Bookworm Sez"There are so many stories included here that it is hard to keep them all straight. Thank goodness for the index! You do not have to be a believer to enjoy this everything Bigfoot book. Read it for the sheer fun of folklore." —Children's Literature"A fun jaunt through lesser-known Bigfoot yarns and interpretations ..." —IDoubtIt.com

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Book SynopsisTrade Review". . . . [Strassberg's] work joins the ranks of Yuan Ke, Remi Mathieu and Riccardo Fracasso as being the best translation in its own language—here, English—as well as a must read for all those whose penchant is ancient Chinese studies." * T'uong Pao *“Richard Strassberg brings the book to life for modern readers by weaving together translations from the work itself with information from other texts to illustrate the world of early China.” * Asian Art *"Strassberg deftly balances the line between translation and transliteration. . . . The combination of text and lavish illustrations does indeed provide both specialists and non-specialists a portal into the imaginative world of Shanhai jing with its wondrous and mythical creatures." * Asian Folklore Studies *Table of ContentsList of IllustrationsPrefaceEditorial NotesIntroductionPlates I to LXXVI for the Guideways through Mountains and SeasNotesSelected BibliographyGlossary IndexIndex

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Book SynopsisAn exploration of how the image and idea of the dragon has evolved through historyHow did the dragon get its wings? Everyone in the modern West has a clear idea of what a dragon looks like and of the sorts of stories it inhabits, not least devotees of the fantasies of J. R. R. Tolkien, J. K. Rowling, and George R. R. Martin. A cross between a snake and some fearsome mammal, often sporting colossal wings, they live in caves, lie on treasure, maraud, and breathe fire. They are extraordinarily powerful, but even so, ultimately defeated in their battles with humans. What is the origin of this creature? The Dragon in the West is the first serious and substantial account in any language of the evolution of the modern dragon from its ancient forebears. Daniel Ogden''s detailed exploration begins with the drakon of Greek myth and the draco of the dragon-loving Romans, and a look at the ancient world''s female dragons. It brings the story forwards though Christian writings, medieval illustrated manuscripts, and the lives of dragon-duelling saints, before concluding with a study of dragons found in the medieval Germanic world, including those of the Anglo-Saxon Beowulf and the Norse sagas.Trade Reviewan impressive achievement * Scott G. Bruce, Bryn Mawr Classical Review *The Dragon in the West is a more orderly scrutinizing of the development of dragon myths and legends in Europe...This is a truly compendious volume that lays out its argument and evidence clearly, with appendices, tables, and explanatory footnotes. It also usefully provides many sources, which are all translated into English. * Greece & Rome *Table of ContentsIntroduction Part One: Heroes 1: Drak=on: The Classical Dragon 2: Draco: The Roman Dragon 3: Drakaina: The She-dragon 4: From Worm to Wyvern: The Evolution of the Western Dragon Part Two: Saints 5: Scripture and Shape 6: The Etiquette of the Saintly Dragon Fight (i): Its Principal Narrative Course 7: The Etiquette of the Saintly Dragon Fight (ii): Some Important Narrative Subroutines 8: Close to the Point of Origin: Lucian's Chaldaean Snake-blaster 9: Theodore and George: Two Military Saints in Context Part Three: Vikings 10: Worms (Still) and Wyverns: The Form of the Germanic Dragon 11: To the River and Back: The Etiquette of the Germanic Dragon Fight Conclusion

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Book SynopsisThe modern practice of medicine and psychology grew out of the ancient Greek healing tradition, said to be founded by Asklepios, god of healing and dreams. For two thousand years the system spread all over the Mediterranean world and planted the roots of Western medicine and psychology by offering ritual and holistic practices that recognized that healing begins at the soul level. Yet, since that time, the spiritually based practices were cast aside, leaving behind only the scientific medical techniques that dominate healthcare today. Resurrecting and restoring the sacred, mythological, and cultural origins of medicine and psychotherapy, Edward Tick, Ph.D., explores the soul-healing practices missing in our contemporary health systems. He looks at the dream incubation tradition of Asklepios, sacred theatre of Dionysos, oracle gifting of Apollo, special practices of warriors, and their roots in Neolithic shamanism and indigenous traditions. Demonstrating the ritual use of dreams, visions, oracles, synchronicities, and pilgrimage for healing and connecting to the transpersonal and divine, he explains how dream incubation is a technique where you plant a seed for a specific healing or growth goal in order to facilitate dreaming and work toward soul restoration. Using both ancient wisdom and modern depth psychology alongside stories of healings from his more than 25 years of guiding Greek pilgrimages, Tick explores how we can use ancient healing philosophies and practices to achieve holistic healing today. He examines the interaction between mind and body (psyche and soma) and between physical illness and the soul. He explains the art of making accurate and holistic interpretations of signs, symbols, and symptoms to determine what they reveal about the soul. Showing how dreams and other transpersonal experiences are essential components of soul medicine, the author reveals how restoration of the soul facilitates true healing.Trade Review“Soul Medicine is a love letter to the Greek wisdom traditions in healing and philosophy, literature, ritual, and the dramatic arts. In direct, passionate prose, the book is a plea to address the many wounds of twenty-first century Western culture by returning to its 3,000-year-old roots.” * Elizabeth Nelson, Ph.D., author of Psyche’s Knife and coauthor of The Art of Inquiry *“A bold, towering tree of a book: deep-rooted in a lifetime of personal learning and experience, richly nourished by ancient wisdom, and provides a compassionate canopy of hope and healing to the wounded and broken. This is a prophetic and eloquent book. Soul Medicine is a gift.” * Robert Emmet Meagher, emeritus professor of humanities at Hampshire College *“Edward Tick sees connections, correspondences, and accords where we might only see a discrete series of persons, places, and presences. With Tick’s guidance the reader will find a polyphonic voice that combines the wisdom traditions of ancient Greek myths, the elaborate history that supports them, and current healing passages that will aid fragmented souls, who have misplaced their lives of coherence, toward a more whole order of being.” * Dennis Patrick Slattery, Ph.D., distinguished professor emeritus in mythological studies at Pacifica *“This timely book focuses on a revival of the practice of incubation and a reverence for ritual, ceremony, prayer, theater, immersion in myth, and dreamwork. Together, these themes invite the reader to gain access to the author’s thrilling vision that all manner of suffering can be endured if treated as a numinous story.” * Phil Cousineau, author of The Art of Pilgrimage and The Lost Notebooks of Sisyphus *“Edward Tick has devoted his entire career to the work of healing others. Soul Medicine is no exception. Beyond the most advanced “holistic” conceptions of mind and medicine, in the tradition of Socrates, Plato, Keats, Emerson, and Jung, Soul Medicine connects mythical stories with life’s suffering and struggle (‘mythology is where humans and divinity meet,’ says Tick). Soul Medicine is full of stunning insights and delightful surprises for both professional and general readers alike.” * Steven B. Katz, Ph.D., Pearce Professor Emeritus of Professional Communication and professor emeritu *“In his articulate, moving, and meticulously researched book, Edward Tick invites us to return to, engage with, and value the capacity of the soul to heal the psyche when we are traumatized, wounded, lost, or hopeless.” * Martha Blake, MBA, NCPsyA, psychologist and senior Jungian analyst *“A wise elder, Edward Tick guides us on an extraordinary expedition to rediscover our sacred heritage. Here we find that soul medicine is available to all of us; it is our divine birthright.” * Kathleen Webster O’Malley, author of The Healing Wisdom of Dreams *“A beautiful exploration of how dreams lay at the foundation of our Western medicine tradition. The wise wisdom of dreams has been relegated to the margins in our culture, and Tick shows us how we can access the healing power in dreams. He especially takes us on a fascinating pilgrimage through the old Greek healing tradition of Asclepius. A very worthwhile read!” * Machiel Klerk, author of Dream Guidance, therapist, and founder of Jung Platform *“The wisdom, purification, return to shared humanity, and healing that Greek warriors, playwrights, and actors brought to the communities of their time is what Edward Tick generously brings to us from across the ages in this very important and timely book. He guides us through the history so many have neglected to study and from which we seem not to have learned. He provides a gentle yet passionate reminder of what we know deep inside and need to call forth to live as true human beings, especially in dark times.” * Gail Soffer, founder and executive director of Mindful Veteran Project *“Soul Medicine blends ancient and contemporary thought for both civilians and veterans as we seek to understand the forces shaping our past and present. From reconciliation with the enemy inside Vietnam to the temple at Delphi, we travel together with Ed the road we all must one day take if we are to become whole.” * Brenton MacKinnon, Infantry, USMC, VN, 1967/68 and coauthor of Agent Orange Roundup *“Edward Tick brings us a revival of ancient soul medicine. His book educates, inspires, and offers hope. Rich with wisdom and profound experiences, Soul Medicine is just what we need during these challenging times.” * Joanne Halverson, Psy.D., LMHC, psychotherapist, professor, author, artist, and spiritual guide *“My dear friend and mentor Edward Tick puts his heart and soul into his work. What a blessing and a gift for us and future generations that he has written this book. Ed has led pilgrimages to Greece and Vietnam for more than 20 years, bringing healing to the hearts and souls of combat war veterans with PTSD and to their families. I am one of those people, and I am forever grateful to have learned from such a gifted, loving, and wise human being.” * Melanie Ryan, LCSW, founder and author of The Golden Shadow Method *“This text is a gift to modern society. Edward Tick so poignantly brings to life decades of dedicated study and practice in ancient mysteries and healing and in doing so offers a spiritual alchemy that reconnects us to what is whole, collective, and deeply human. I extend my most sincere gratitude for sharing this lifetime of soul work and realized dreams.” * Courtney Rice, Psy.D., clinical psychologist and spiritual healer *Table of ContentsAuthor’s Note Foreword by Mark Nepo Introduction PART I Walking the Ancient Ways 1 The Funnel of Healing 2 Akin to the Ancients 3 A Lifetime of Pilgrimage and HealingPART II With the God-Powers4 Asklepios Returns5 How the Divine Speaks 6 Divine Communication in the Greek World7 In the Sanctuary 8 Restoring Sacred Theater 9 The Art of Interpretation and the Bear 10 Three Decades of Incubations, Ancient and Modern11 Warriors, Ancient and Modern 12 Warrior Dreams 13 Living Mythically PART III Facilitating Healing, Restoring Soul 14 Ancient Healing Principles and Practices Today 15 The Harvest Notes BibliographyIndex

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Book SynopsisExplore the legendary world of fairies in this bewitchingly illustrated guide to the mythical realm.Faedom will take you on an enchanting ride through fascinating fairy facts and fictions, revealing the secrets of where fairies come from and what lies behind their spectacular powers and personalities. Inspired by the age-old myths that have long insisted that fairies are very much real, this book draws upon the great store of cultural and literary references from around the world to create a comprehensive compendium of these fascinating creatures. Fairy tales come to life across the pages, with vibrant stories, songs, poems, facts, figures and folklore to entertain and inform readers of all ages.

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Book SynopsisWhat were the twelve labours of Herakles? Why did Zeus turn himself into a shower of gold? What was the name of the guard-dog of the Underworld? Which two-faced Roman god gave his name to the month January? What is the answer to the riddle of the Sphinx? The myths of ancient Greece and Rome are the most dramatic and unforgettable tales of love, war, heroism and betrayal ever told. Whether it's Ikaros flying too close to the sun, Prometheus stealing fire from the gods or the tragedy of Oedipus, their characters have inspired art, literature, plays and films, and constellations named after them fill the night sky. But how much do you really know about them? From the clash of the Titans to the fall of Troy, here are the greatest legends of all time, brilliantly retold by classical scholar Jenny March. All the heroes, monsters, villains, gods and goddesses of classical civilization are included; the epic journeys of Odysseus and Aeneas; the founding of Athens and Rome; the quests of JasoTable of ContentsThe Penguin Book of Classical MythsList of PlatesList of IllustrationsMapsAcknowledgmentsIntroduction1. Creation2. The Gods3. The First Humans4. The Quest for the Golden Fleece5. Io and Argos6. Heroes and Monsters7. Herakles8. Theseus, Athens and Crete9. The Theban Saga10. The Trojan War11. Odysseus and his Odyssey12. The House of Pelops13. Dangerous Women14. Aeneas and the Destiny of Rome15. The Foundation of Rome16. Metamorphoses17. Myths of Love and DeathSelect BibliographyIndex

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Book SynopsisNick Joaquin is widely considered one of the greatest Filipino writers, but he has remained little-known outside his home country despite writing in English. With the post-colonial sensibilities of Junot Diaz, Teju Cole, and Jhumpa Lahiri and an ironic perspective of colonial history resonant with Marques and Llosa, Joaquin is a long-neglected writer ready to join the ranks of the world classics. His work meditates on the questions and challenges of the Filipino individual''s new freedom after a long history of colonialism, exploring folklore, centuries-old Catholic rites, the Spanish colonial past, magical realism, and baroque splendour and excess. This collection features his best-known story, ''The Woman Who Had Two Navels,'' centred on Philippine emigrants living in Hong Kong and later expanded into a novel, the much-anthologised story ''May Day Eve,'' and a canonical play, A Portrait of the Artist as Filipino.Trade ReviewNick Joaquin is akin to Gabriel Garcia Marquez in the extravagant, surreal imagery of his stories, the fatalistic humor, the intricate weaving of history and memory, the spiritual and the sensual, the personal and the political. He is a writer deserving wider recognition, whose magical Macondo was the very real Philippines, in all its beauty, splendor and ruin. Behold this collection of marvels -- Jessica HagedornThe Philippines is central to two empires, the Spanish and the American. Joaquin is central to the literature of the Philippines. To read Joaquin is to gain access to how three cultures intersected in the Pacific, mixing explosively with blood, violence, and fantasy in ways that foreshadow what is happening in the Philippines today. As with all great writers, Joaquin remains our contemporary -- Viet Thanh NguyenManila was Joaquin s birthplace and his muse; yet the priests, socialites, and activists who populate these pages also evoke a globetrotting intellect and a wondrous universe all his own. This book brilliantly captures the singular genius of Nick Joaquin, and will seduce readers everywhere who are meeting this giant of Philippine literature for the first time -- Mia AlvarOne cannot overstate what Nick Joaquin is to Philippine literature. Writing in English with the melody of Spanish and Tagalog, Joaquin was the first Filipino writer to focus on the impossible contradictions of a tribal civilization overlain by Spanish and American world views. And because that tribal civilization was woman-centered, Joaquin's heroines are as complex, romantic and defiant as Madame Bovary and Anna Karenina -- Ninotchka RoscaA standout collection (...) a transporting read, and a fierce elegy for a past that never was * NPR *Steeped in Filipino history and culture, Joaquin's work is a welcome discovery * Kirkus Reviews *

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Book SynopsisDeep in the wild jungles of Rajasthan resides a magical sparrow that grants wishes . . . In Gujarat, a pandit haggles with vendors and chastises merchants as he chases an elusive bargain . . . A bullocky in Multan encounters a mysterious and wise old man who charges money to talk! A pandemonium of fools, geniuses and everyone in between gambol across the deserts of India to amusing and delightful results. So sit back with a bowlful of kheench and get ready to be enchanted by the beauty of the Thar, the nights at Cholistan and the markets of Kutch.

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Book SynopsisAs Levi-Strauss freely explores the mythologies of the Americas, with occasional incursions into European and Japanese folklore, tales of sloths and squirrels interweave with discussions of Freud, Saussure, signification, and plays by Sophocles and Labiche. Levi-Strauss critiques psychoanalytic interpretation and defends the interpretive powers of structuralism. Electrifying...A brilliant demonstration of structural analysis in action...Can be read with pleasure and profit by anyone interested in that aspect of self-discovery that comes through knowledge of the universal and timeless myths that live on in all of us.--Jonathan Sharp, San Francisco Examiner-Chronicle A characteristic tour de force...One remains awed by him.--Colin Thubron, Sunday Times With all its epistemological depth, the book reads at times like a Simenon or a Lewis Carroll, fusing concise methodology with mastery of style.--Bernadette Bucher, American Ethnologist [An] engagingly provocative exploration of mythology Table of ContentsIntroduction 1: A Jivaro Myth 2: Pottery, a "Jealous Art" 3: Goatsucker Myths in South America 4: Potters' Kilns and Cooking Fire 5: Goatsucker Myths in North America 6: Oral Greediness and Anal Retention 7: The Sloth as Cosmological Symbol 8: In Quest of Zoemes 9: Levels of the World 10: Excrement, Meteors, Jealousy, Dismembered Body 11: California Demiurges as Jealous Potters 12: Myths in the Form of Klein's Bottle 13: The Nature of Mythic Thought 14: A Jivaro Version of Totem and Taboo Appendix: Tribes, Peoples, Linguistic Families References Abbreviations Bibliography Acknowledgments

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Book SynopsisStorytime in India is an exploration of the stories that come out of ethnographic fieldwork. Helen Priscilla Myers and Umesh Chandra Pandey examine the ways in which their research collecting Bhojpuri wedding songs became interwoven with the stories of their lives, their work together, and their shared experience reading The Eustace Diamonds by Anthony Trollope.Table of ContentsAcknowledgmentsList of Songs and Accessing the Audio FilesPrologueIntroduction: Umesh Explains Storytime1. A Fulbright Grant to Banaras, India2. ToastInterlude I: Lizzy Greystock3. Setting Up Our Apartment in Banaras, 20074. The Daily RoutineInterlude II: Sir Florian5. Arranging an Indian Wedding 6. The Search for a Boy 7. Helen and Umesh Meet8. Viewing the Bride9. The Tilak Talk Begins10. Gangajali11. The Tilak, Explained by Umesh12. Song Journey13. Tilak Songs14. "Dress Him in a Bra and Bodice": Gali for the Tilak15. The Songs Become Personal16. "We Sell Dreams"17. Saguni Songs: "This night is ours"Interlude III: Lady Eustace18. Umesh Remembers Charlotte Wiser19. Matikor: Sashi Interrupts, but We Do Not Hear "A Mare Has Pissed"20. Helen's Pounding Pot21. Umesh Explains GaliInterlude IV. Lucy Morris 22. The Kalas and the Harish23. Arranging a Priest24. Wedding Expenses25. The Island Diaspora: My Introduction to Indian Culture from Far AwayInterlude V: Frank Greystock26. Grannie Music27. Ethnomusicology28. The Turmeric Is PleasingInterlude VI: The Eustace Necklace29. Heat 30. Kissing31. The Bride and Groom go to the Kohabar32. Sahana Songs before the Wedding Ritual: The Blue Blue Horse33. Umesh Tells the Krishna StoryInterlude VII: Lady Linlithgow's Mission, , The Sawab of Mygawb34. And Love35. Kabir36. Great Novels and Lesser Novels37. Trapping the Family Gods Interlude VIII: Mr. Burke's Speeches38. Helen Contracts Typhoid39. Getting the Siri at the Home of the Potter40. My Husband Is the Inspector of PoliceInterlude IX: The Conquering Hero Comes41. The Evil Eye42. Umesh Gets Malaria43. On the Stage, the Bridegroom Puts on His Garments44. Preparing for Winter45. Adorn the Elephant, Adorn the Horse46. The Jaluaa47. The Story of Krishna and the Crocodile: A Song with Many Many Stories48. Umesh Tells the Remainder of the Krishna Story49. More Jaluaa Songs and StoriesInterlude X: Showing What the Miss Fawns Said, and What Mrs. Hittaway Thought50. Charlotte Wiser Leaves Karimganj51. Wedding Night52. Mona's Nacchu Nahawan in Rasalpur53. Protecting the Bride from the Evil EyeInterlude XI: Lizzie and Her Lover54. Arrival at the Janmassa55. Gali for Barati People and Bridegroom56. What about Clothes and Ornaments57. Bhajan InterludeInterlude XII: Lord Fawn at His Office58. Umesh Recalls His Wedding59. Feeding the Wedding Party60. Dwar Puja—The New System61. The Animal Party62. Departure of the Barat Interlude XIII: I Only Thought of It63. The Bridegroom Enters the Courtyard64. The Bride Enters the Courtyard65. Donation of the Virgin Daughter66. Ceremony of the Puffed Rice67. The Sindur Ritual68. The Kohabar Ritual69. Ceremony at the GangesInterlude XIV: Showing What Frank Greystock Did70. Arrival of the Bride in her Sasural, the Gauna71. Love Marriages72. Five Days73. Just One More Song74. Gangajali's StoryInterlude XV: "Doan't Thou Marry for Munny"75. One Last SongInterlude XVI: I'll Give You a Hundred Guinea Broach76. Preparing for China77. Leaving Banaras in 200878. Conclusion Interlude XVII: The Eustace Diamonds79. Umesh Tells a Story from Karimganj 80. A Passage to India81. Bangles in Ballia82. Across the Seven Seas83. Umesh Arranges for the Swan's Quill84. The Religion of Humanity85. StorytimeAppendix: Rituals of the Hindu Wedding in BalliaGlossaryBibliographyIndex

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Book SynopsisThe first English translation of the national epic of Turkey, which is the heritage of the ancient Oghuz Turks and was composed as they migrated westward from their homeland in Central Asia to the Middle East, eventually to settle in Anatolia.Trade Review...Dede Korkut stands as a masterwork of [tenth-century] Turkish literature—and perhaps as one of the world’s most impressive national epics.... with its action-packed narrative in prose and verse, [it] unfurls a fascinating panorama of Turkish tribal and feudal life—warfare, hunts, festivities, plunders, preternatural phenomena, heroics and love. The socio-political characteristics, cultural values, morals and manners as well as ethnographic features it embodies make the epic a rich source for historians, folklorists and anthropologists. * Middle East Journal *The Book of Dede Korkut has been called the Iliad of the Turks.... the stories of Dede Korkut represent and embody the epic élan of a nation’s literary imagination... an excellent translation in English.... smooth, highly readable, enlightening. * Books Abroad *Table of ContentsAcknowledgments Introduction Prologue Legend I: The Story of Bugach Khan, Son of Dirse Khan Legend II: The Sack of the House of Salur Kazan Legend III: The Story of Bamsi Beyrek, Son of Kam Büre Legend IV: The Story of the Capture of Uruz Bey, Son of Kazan Bey Legend V: The Story of Delü Dumrul, Son of Duha Koja Legend VI: The Story of Kan Turali, Son of Kanli Koja Legend VII: The Story of Yigenek, Son of Kazilik Koja Legend VIII: The Story of Basat, Killer of the One-Eyed Giant Legend IX: The Story of Emren, Son of Begil Legend X: The Story of Seghrek, Son of Ushun Koja Legend XI: The Story of Salur Kazan’s Captivity and His Rescue by His Son Uruz Legend XII: The Story of the Revolt of the Outer Oghuz against the Inner Oghuz and of the Death of Beyrek Notes Bibliography

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Book SynopsisLaurence Coupe offers students a comprehensive overview of the development of myth, showing how mythic themes, structures and symbols persist in literature and entertainment today. This introductory volume: illustrates the relation between myth, culture and literature with discussions of poetry, fiction, film and popular song explores uses made of the term myth' within the fields of literary criticism, anthropology, cultural studies, feminism, Marxism and psychoanalysis discusses the association between modernism, postmodernism, myth and history familiarizes the reader with themes such as the dying god, the quest for the Grail, the relation between chaos' and cosmos', and the vision of the end of time demonstrates the growing importance of the green dimension of myth. Fully updated and revised in this new edition, Myth is both a concise introduction and a useful tool to students first approaching the topicTable of ContentsIntroduction Part I: Reading Myth 1.Order 2.Chaos 3.Endings Part II Mythic Reading 4.Truth 5.Psyche 6.History 7.Gaia Bibliography

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Book SynopsisIn his latest book, fairy tales expert Jack Zipes explores the question of why some fairy tales work and others don''t, why the fairy tale is uniquely capable of getting under the skin of culture and staying there. Why, in other words, fairy tales stick. Long an advocate of the fairy tale as a serious genre with wide social and cultural ramifications, Jack Zipes here makes his strongest case for the idea of the fairy tale not just as a collection of stories for children but a profoundly important genre.Why Fairy Tales Stick contains two chapters on the history and theory of the genre, followed by case studies of famous tales (including Cinderella, Snow White, and Bluebeard), followed by a summary chapter on the problematic nature of traditional storytelling in the twenty-first century.Trade Review2007 Katharine Briggs Award"Why Fairy Tales Stick is outstanding scholarship that offers an original, thoroughly researched, and historically grounded approach to the study of fairy tales. It captures the essence of what the tales at their best should reflect which are engaging and imaginative stories that inspire readers to learn more about the subject." --Carlnita P. Green, Nazareth College, The Journal of Popular Culture"Why Fairy Tales Stick is both a welcome addition to the expanding area of books about fairy tales and a useful teaching resource." --Kimberly Reynolds, Newcastle University, Modern Language Review"The real treasures in this book, however, are Zipe's energetic expertise and his unabashedly personal concern for the part fairy tales play in the unfolding triumphs and tragedies of human life in our time." --Maggi Michel, University of California, Los Angeles, Marvels & Tales: Journal of Fairy-Tale Studies. Table of Contents1: Toward a Theory of the Fairy Tale as Literary Genre; 2: The Evolution and Dissemination of the Classical Fairy Tale; 3: Once Upon a Time in the Future; 4: The Moral Strains of Fairy Tales and Fantasy; 5: The Male Key to Bluebeard's Secret; 6: Hansel and Gretel; 7: To Be or Not to Be Eaten

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