Folklore History

Broadcaster Richard Fidler and author Kári Gíslason are good friends. They share a deep attachment to the sagas of Iceland—the true stories of the first Viking families who settled on that remote island in the Middle Ages. These are tales of blood feuds, of dangerous women and people who are compelled to kill the ones they love the most. The sagas are among the greatest stories ever written, but the identity of their authors is largely unknown. Together, Fidler and Gíslason travel across Iceland, to the places where the sagas unfolded a thousand years ago.

As you begin to read or listen to this book, you will become familiar with all the gods and goddesses of Chinese culture. The historical context will become clear, as well as the institutions, the law, the rules about sexuality, marriage, and children, and so much more. Towards the end of the book, you’ll also learn about Confucianism, Monism, Taoism, Buddhism, and other dominating religious or spiritual paths that have been common in China.

From stories of resurrected mummies and thousand-year-old curses to powerful pharaohs and the coveted treasures of the Great Pyramids, ancient Egypt has had an unfaltering grip on the modern imagination. Now, in Egyptian Mythology, Geraldine Pinch offers a comprehensive introduction that untangles the mystery of Egyptian myth.

Nowadays, runes and Norse magic are used as a method of connecting to one’s higher self. Or as a way of foretelling what the future may hold. Now don’t worry because you don’t have to be of Norse ancestry to use them. However, you’ll have a far better understanding of their history, mythology, meanings, and more through listening to this book.

Classical Mythology A to Z is a comprehensive and engrossing guide to Greek and Roman mythology. Written by Annette Giesecke, PhD, Professor of Classics and Chair of Ancient Greek and Roman Studies at the University of Delaware, this brilliant reference offers clear explanations of every character and locale, and captures the essence of these timeless tales.

Finnish mythology is filled with stories from northern gods and goddesses, magical animals and feisty forest spirits. Finland was an agricultural society for hundreds of years and before that the inhabitants were hunter-gatherers. Our mythology and folktales are intertwined with the surrounding nature, clear lakes, northern lights and the forest, which was the home of all kinds of mysterious events. In this book you will become familiar with old Finnish gods and goddesses and ancient festivals.

Explore the mesmerizing history, lore, and traditions surrounding an event that has long been shrouded in fear and mystery - the Witches' Sabbath. This book invites you to learn what it is, how you can get there, and what to do once you are there. Author Kelden presents in-depth historical information on the Sabbath as well as its place within modern Witchcraft.

UFO abductions, television psychics, paranormal phenomena, skeptics and believers alike, find themselves debating truths and lies in the strange web of pseudoscience and the occult. Now, director of the Skeptics Society Michael Shermer explores the very human reasons why we find other worldly phenomena, conspiracy theories, and cults so appealing.

Paying attention to every detail, Amy Hughes collected many stories, myths, legends, and tales of the pagan Scandinavian rituals, gods, and heroes. Narrated in such a descriptive way, the stories will transfer you to a time long gone, and you’ll feel as if you’re been a witness to the Viking’s incredible history! But this book does not only present the mythological, abstract world of Scandinavian beliefs and religion.

Hercules, Zeus, Thor, Gilgamesh - these are the figures that leap to mind when we think of myth. But to David Leeming, myths are more than stories of deities and fantastic beings from non-Christian cultures. Myth is at once the most particular and the most universal feature of civilization, representing common concerns that each society voices in its own idiom.

Warriors, poets, scholars, and visionaries—from the depths of time the ancient Celts have fascinated us. Their rich heritage lives on today. But who were they? From the Druids and fairies to King Arthur and Celtic Christianity, there is much to be learned about these natives of the British and Irish islands. Their stories are fantastic and stirring, and through them, you'll gain a glimpse into what life was like during the Iron Age.

I’m sure you’ve heard the name Thor, especially with all the superhero movies. In this book, we’ll tell you all about how he was born and all of the interesting things he did. But before all that, we’ll also take a quick look at what myths are, where they come from, and why they’re important.

The first robot to walk the earth was a bronze giant called Talos. This wondrous machine was created not by MIT Robotics Lab, but by Hephaestus, the Greek god of invention, more than 2,500 years ago. In this groundbreaking account of the earliest expressions of the timeless impulse to create artificial life, Adrienne Mayor tells the fascinating story of how ancient Greek, Roman, Indian, and Chinese myths envisioned artificial life, automata, self-moving devices, and human enhancements - and how these visions relate to and reflect the ancient invention of real animated machines.

Sita, the beloved princess of Mithila, is one of the most revered women in Indian history; so well known, yet probably the least understood. At every crossroad of her life, she chose acceptance and grace over self-pity. Her life was filled with sacrifice yet wherever she was, there was abundance. It was as if she was carved out of an intense longing for Rama, yet she had infinite patience.

A controversial examination of the influence and presence of the Norse god Odin in contemporary history and culture.

Discover the Spirit of Ireland through an Epic Exploration of Irish History and Myths.

One day in 1872, self-taught Assyriologist George Smith was sifting through a pile of clay tablets when he realized he was reading about "a flood, storm, a ship caught on a mountain, and a bird sent out in search of dry land". This is the riveting story of the discovery of the world's first literary epic, the "Epic of Gilgamesh".

A few years ago, Mark Adams made a strange discovery: Everything we know about the lost city of Atlantis comes from the work of one man, the Greek philosopher Plato. Then he made a second, stranger discovery: Amateur explorers are still actively searching for this sunken city all around the world, based entirely on the clues Plato left behind.

Runes—the cryptic letters of an Old Norse alphabet—are more than just a collection of dusty symbols from a bygone era. They're powerful forces that have long been associated with magic and divination. Since ancient times, people have used them for guidance, and they're still being used today. In fact, more and more people are discovering the mysterious power of runes and are incorporating them into their daily spiritual practices.

This book tells of the legends of the gods of ancient Egypt, legends circulated during the "morning of the world" as described by the Egyptians, originally carved in stone, and written on papyrus, preserved for millennia until now. Although this book is intended to arouse the public's interest in the religion and civilization of ancient Egypt, it also fuels the imagination on the lost knowledge of the Egyptians.