Description
Book SynopsisMythical creatures drawn largely from medieval travellers' tales, but encompassing civilisations from the Sumerians to the Wild West.A dictionary? No, this is really an astonishing ark filled with beasts from a fabulous zoo far more varied and entertaining than anything from ordinary natural history. From
Abaia and
Abath to
Ziz and
Zu, from the microscopic
Gigelorum that nests in a mite's ear to the giant serpent
Jormungandor who encircles the whole globe, there are beasts from every corner of man's imagination: the light-hearted
Fearsome Critters of lumberjack tales find a place alongside the
Sirrush of Babylon and the
Winged Bulls of Assyria. Some of the fabulous beasts turn out to be real creatures in disguise - a Cameleopard is a kind of glamourised giraffe -while others are almost, but not quite, human. Among the six hundred entries are some which are full-scale essays in their own right, as on
Phoenix or
Giants; and just in case it seems as though the authors dreamt up the entire book, there is a detailed list of books for the would-be hunter in this mythical jungle.
Trade ReviewEngagingly written and zestfully illustrated... Its six hundred entries are amusing and useful starting points. * SPECULUM *
