Mythical History

This history will be of interest to people who know nothing about Japan, but also full of insights for those who do. Lesley Downer takes the listener through the great sweep of Japanese history, focusing on the dramatic stories of larger-than-life individuals—from emperors descended from the Sun Goddess to warlords, samurai, merchants, court ladies, women warriors, geisha, and businessmen who shaped this extraordinary modern society.

Infused with magic, shadows and starlight, the powerful godblades were believed to be lost nearly half a millennia ago, when the Godswar ended. Now, however, one has been found by the unlikeliest of wielders: Sampson Gaard, a blind but ambitious prince with something to prove. The only question is whether he controls the blade or the blade him. With an insidious evil lurking in the shadows, the answer may very well determine the fate of all Kingfall.

Uncover Japan's Secrets in One Epic Volume From the mysterious Jōmon people to the heights of its technological prowess, Japan’s story is a 10,000-year saga of ruthless warriors, spiritual emperors, and revolutionary rebirth. Beneath the history books lie the timeless legends: the divine creation myths, the harrowing ghost stories, and the tales of samurai honor that define the nation's soul. Two manuscripts in one book: History of Japan: An Enthralling Journey Through Ancient Japanese Empires, the Shogunate Era, Cultural Renaissance, and Modern Period Japanese Folktales and Legends: An ...

With intelligence and wit, author Jonathan Clements blends documentary and storytelling styles to connect the past, present, and future of Japan, and in broad yet detailed strokes reveals a country of paradoxes: a modern nation steeped in ancient traditions; a democracy with an emperor as head of state; a famously safe society built on 108 volcanoes resting on the world's most active earthquake zone; a fast-paced urban and technologically advanced country whose land consists predominantly of mountains and forests.

NEW YORK TIMES EDITORS’ CHOICE The captivating, deeply reported true story of how one of the most notorious novels ever written—Marquis de Sade’s 120 Days of Sodom—landed at the heart of one of the biggest scams in modern literary history. “Reading The Curse of the Marquis de Sade...

When the sky fell and the earth split, one girl rose from the ashes with a secret that would reshape humanity’s fate. 24,000 years before the dawn of history, when tribes wandered beneath star-born gods, a fire fell from the heavens. The strike unleashes an ancient evil never meant to wake—and tears open a rift between worlds. Kaya—a young warrior fighting to save her tribe—meets Ethan, a man from a dying future. She lived before history. He’s yet to be born. Their destiny was forged in battle. Their love, written in the stars. What began as a fight for survival becomes an epic ...

What if your dreams weren't dreams at all, but whispers of someone calling to you from the future? She lived before history. He’s yet to be born. Their destiny was forged in battle. Their love, written in the stars. 24,000 B.C. When a falling star fractures her primitive world, young hunter Kaya is thrust onto an epic journey of survival, ancient magic, and self-discovery. Haunted by visions of Ethan, a young man from a dystopian future, she struggles to unravel the mysterious threads of time that bind them together and the star-crossed love that defies fate. But some secrets should never...

Bigfoot is an instantly recognizable figure. Through the decades, this elusive primate has been featured in movies and books, and on coffee mugs, beer koozies, car polish, and CBD oil. Which begs the question: what is it about Bigfoot that's caught hold of our imaginations? Journalist and self-diagnosed skeptic John O'Connor is fascinated by Sasquatch. Curious to learn more, he embarks on a quest through the North American wilds in search of Bigfoot, its myth and meaning.

La gente siempre ha tenido miedo de los muertos. Desde los albores de la humanidad, las personas se han preocupado por aquellos que han fallecido, y también han tratado de mantenerlos alejados. Hay una miríada de leyendas y creencias acerca de muertos que regresan, y una de las más persistentes, es la del vampiro.

People have always been afraid of the dead. Since the dawn of humanity, people have both cared for those who are deceased yet also tried to keep them away. There are a myriad of legends and beliefs about the dead coming back, and one of the more persistent ones is of the vampire.

Weird but True Stories from Norwegian Myth and Folklore: Bizarre, Shocking, and Unbelievable Tales from the Land of the Midnight Sun takes readers on a haunting and unforgettable journey through one of the most unique storytelling traditions in the world. From the eerie fiddle songs of the water-dwelling nøkk to the undead draugr guarding Viking tombs, and from seductive forest spirits with hidden tails to the serpent of Lake Seljord, this collection uncovers ten chilling and true tales drawn from authentic Norwegian folklore. Rooted in real locations and passed down through centuries of ...

Aurican and Darlantan, mighty serpents of gold and silver, have been nurtured in a world of wisdom, meditation, and sublime faith. On the other side of Ansalon, Crematia, a dragon of red, inherits the Dark Queen's legacy of betrayal, violence, conquest, and plunder. The advent of a worldwide war sweeps these powerful beings and many more into desperate strife. Battles rage over Krynn with a fury that threatens to annihilate nations and whole races - even dragonkind.

A fascinating, beautifully illustrated guide to the monsters that are part of our collective psyche, featuring stories from the Lore podcast—now a streaming television series—including “They Made a Tonic,” “Passed Notes,” and “Unboxed,” as well as rare material. They live in...

Embark on an epic journey into the captivating world of Norse mythology, where gods, goddesses, and mythical creatures come alive with rich detail and vibrant storytelling. Whether you're a curious newcomer or a seasoned enthusiast, this book offers a fresh, accessible gateway into the lore that shaped Viking heritage. Struggling to untangle the complexities of Odin, Thor, and Loki’s adventures? Overwhelmed by dry or overly dense texts? Norse Mythology Unleashed bridges the gap, combining accurate research with engaging narratives that breathe life into ancient tales.

For thousands of years, the notion of dragons has struck fear in the hearts of men and women all over the world. The ancient Egyptians believed there was a dragon of darkness that attacked the sun god each day, and in Norway people thought that a dragon gnawed at the roots of the tree that sustained all life on Earth. Around the globe, dragons have been depicted as everything from massive, winged, fire-breathing creatures to beasts sporting a camel’s head, deer’s horns, rabbit’s eyes, and eagle’s claws! Dragons might hoard treasure in caves, or they might be responsible for floods and the death of livestock.

Throughout the time of Krynn, one race has remained strong in its pride and beliefs. The minotaurs envision themselves as the children of destiny, the future masters of the world. Despite adversity, defeat, and enslavement, that belief has never wavered.

"Absolutely perfect for the current moment." --Buzzfeed America's favorite cultural historian and author of Ghostland takes a tour of the country's most persistent "unexplained" phenomena In a world where rational, scientific explanations are more available than ever, belief in the unprovable...

The myths of Ukraine were never written in ink; they were whispered by the wind and carved into the banks of the Dnipro. Step into a land defined by extremes – where endless golden steppes meet the crushing density of the Carpathian forests. For centuries, the people here lived by a "dual faith," a survival strategy where the church provided salvation, but the spirits of the earth provided the rules. Whispers from the Dnipro is not just a collection of fairy tales; it is a record of the negotiations between humanity and the wild. In these pages, the spirits are not monsters to be slain by...

The Tale of Creatures & Gods brings to life the mystical beings and powerful deities of old Sweden, blending history, folklore, and immersive storytelling. Deep in the forests of Sweden, where mist curls through ancient trees and lakes shimmer under the moonlight, myths and legends whisper through the ages. Step into the shadows of the forest, where the Skogsrå watches from the trees, Näcken lures travelers with his haunting violin, and trolls stir beneath moss-covered boulders. Venture into the world of the Norse gods, where Odin seeks wisdom, Thor battles giants, and Loki weaves chaos ...

Unearth the magic and mystery of Norse mythology! Propel your child into a world of ancient gods, heroic legends, and fantastical beasts, even if they are new to the mythological realm. Are you searching for a captivating book that blends thrill, wonder, and education for your child? Do they light up at the mention of Thor and Loki, craving the original lore behind the Marvel stories?