East Myth

The wild, bizarre and epic story of the serpent goddess Manasā and her sister Neta has inspired poets in India for more than 500 years. The Manasā Epic is a collection of stories which were retold, extended, modified, changed and embellished by more than fifty poets over the years. It draws on elements from folktales, vrata rituals, verses from ballads, and episodes from sacred literature such as the Mahābhārata, the Brahmā Vaivarta Purāṇa and many others. Author Jan Fries traces the history and origins of this fascinating cult, as well as providing comparative associations with ...

The History of Australia: From Indigenous Origins to a Modern Nation Australia is called the “land down under,” but how much do you really know about its past? Did you know that modern Australia started as a British prison colony? Or that for tens of thousands of years before that, Indigenous peoples lived there, building rich cultures and traditions? This book takes you through Australia’s history, from its first inhabitants to the arrival of European settlers to its fight for independence to its current role in world events. Learn about the convicts who built early settlements, the ...

The outspoken and radical Israeli historian Ilan Pappe examines the most contested ideas concerning the origins and identity of the contemporary state of Israel.

Inspired by Chinese myths of ancient dragon gods and threads of fate, Katrina Kwan’s dazzling fantasy debut is a propulsive adventure perfect for fans of Sue Lynn Tan and Hannah Whitten. At the spry young age of twenty-five, Sai has led a quiet life, keeping the family teahouse up and...

Mesopotamian Myths covers everything you'd want to know about Mesopotamian and Sumerian myths, including tales of gods and goddesses, creation myths, tales of kings and heroes, and also selections from the Epic of Gilgamesh. Get this captivating collection to know more about ancient times in Mesopotamia and Sumeria.

Uncover the Lost Kingdom That Nearly Conquered the Ancient World Deep in the mountains of western Turkey lie the ruins of a civilization that time forgot—until now. In Ghosts of Arzawa, archaeologist R. Jay Driskill resurrects one of the Bronze Age's most fascinating and overlooked kingdoms, revealing a sophisticated empire that dared to challenge the mighty Hittites and corresponded as equals with the pharaohs of Egypt. The Kingdom History Almost Lost For over 3,000 years, Arzawa remained buried beneath layers of history, known only through fragmentary mentions in enemy archives. But ...

Iran and the United States have been at odds for forty years, locked in a cold war that has run the gamut. In Republics of Myth, Hussein Banai, Malcolm Byrne, and John Tirman argue that a major contributing factor to this tenacious enmity is how each nation views itself. Their often-deadly confrontation derives from the very different national narratives that shape their politics, actions, and vision of their own destiny in the world.

Arguably one of the most provocative, puzzling, and misunderstood organizations of medieval times, the legendary Knights Templar have always been shrouded in a veil of mystery, while inspiring popular culture from Indiana Jones to Dan Brown. In The Templars, author Michael Haag offers a definitive history of these loyal Christian soldiers of the Crusades - sworn to defend the Holy Land and Jerusalem, but ultimately damned and destroyed by the Pope and his church.

Charlotte has always longed to be accepted by her older sisters. She would gladly exchange her vaunted beauty for their friendship. But they ask a far higher price. Pushed into marriage with a stranger, Charlotte is left betrayed and alone. All she knows of her new husband is that he has secrets—and that her heart beats a little faster whenever he calls her Lottie.

In The History of Israel: Myths, Facts, and the Jewish Story Revealed, discover a thoughtful and unbiased account of Israel’s history. This book provides a deep dive into the events, cultures, and narratives that have shaped Israel, offering clarity on a topic often surrounded by controversy and debate. From ancient civilizations to modern-day politics, Israel’s history is a tapestry woven with triumphs, tragedies, and enduring cultural significance.

With Straits, celebrated historian Felipe Fernández-Armesto subjects the surviving sources to the most meticulous scrutiny ever, providing a timely and engrossing biography of the real Ferdinand Magellan. The truth that Fernández-Armesto uncovers about Magellan's life, his character, and the events of his ill-fated voyage offers up a stranger, darker, and even more compelling narrative than the fictional version that has been celebrated for half a millennium.

Gwen has discovered both the love she once lost and her courage. But her greatest challenge still lies before her. She has chosen to fight for her people and that means standing against the mountain queen and all the fears of her childhood. Charlotte is ready to risk everything to save her husband and reverse the consequences of her mistakes. But freeing Henry means getting entangled in the mountain kingdom's fight for freedom and that fight might take the one thing Charlotte isn't willing to give.

As you study the African myths, legends, and folklore through this guide, you will find that there are so many gods and goddesses, and so many different versions of certain stories, that it will blow your mind. The intricate myths in this book have been lined up and collected to help you understand some of the earliest, most ancient beliefs from those living on the African continent. Some have been influential in our day, and some have been completely forgotten except for vague traditions that have been passed on from one generation to the next.

Anna's rescue training kicked in when she tripped over the injured elf. Getting him home? No problem. Getting herself home again? That's going to be a little more complicated. Trapped Underhill, in the land of the fae, Anna has to remember everything she knows about fairy tales. Not the sweet happy ones: the stories where Baba Yaga boils you alive and giants grind your bones for bread. Her skills as a hunter and her good manners might be all that keep her alive. At least, if she can keep the Wild Hunt at bay!

When Aladdin discovers Zahra's jinni lamp, Zahra is thrust back into a world she hasn't seen in hundreds of years, a world where magic is forbidden and Zahra's very existence is illegal. She must disguise herself to stay alive, using ancient shape-shifting magic, until her new master has selected his three wishes. But when the King of the Jinn offers Zahra a chance to be free of her lamp forever, she seizes the opportunity, only to discover that she is falling in love with Aladdin.

You may have studied the ancient Persian Empire in school, but have you ever wondered what kinds of stories the ancient Persians told to themselves and their children? The roots of Persian myth extend back more than five thousand years to the culture of the Aryan people who migrated into Iran from India. Ideas from this ancient culture have enjoyed amazing longevity and are alive even today as part of the Zoroastrian faith, which is still practiced in Iran, India, and several other places around the world.

Unseen Thresholds gathers stories of demons, spirits, and intruders tied to sleep, childbirth, possession, illness, temptation, and revenge—tales rooted in real places, told as warnings about what happens when you stay out too late, take the wrong turn, or let the wrong presence inside. Across cities, homes, roads, ruins, and ritual spaces, these legends describe fear as something immediate and practical. The danger does not announce itself. It enters quietly, through ordinary moments and familiar spaces. The horror here is not a spectacle. It is an interruption. You are safe—until you ...

The Garden was never lost. It was waiting. In the shadow of the Cold War, myths became battlegrounds and legends became weapons. When archaeologist Lincoln Hemingway vanishes in the Iraqi desert after claiming to discover the Garden of Eden, his sister Daria turns to Major Allan Quatermain, descendant of the legendary adventurer and a man who specializes in finding what others prefer stays lost. But they’re not the only ones searching. A mysterious German operative named Bauer hunts the same trail, driven by purposes that extend far beyond academic curiosity. And in the corridors of power...

Hidden deep in the blue forest of Norway, there live a peasant farmer and his family. In a fierce storm, a mysterious white bear arrives with a strange proposal to make them rich if their youngest daughter will go to live with him in his golden cavern. They agree, and for a time all goes well, but when the girl ignores the kindly bear's advice, she must travel to the castle that lies east of the sun and west of the moon to face the horrible Troll Queen.

Ancient Mesopotamia history is defined by several key inventions that impacted the globe, including the concept of time, algebra, the wheel, sailboats, maps and writing. Another characteristic of Mesopotamia is the shifting succession of governing bodies from various regions and cities that seized power over a period of thousands of years.