World Myths

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.

A trailblazing, conversation-starting history of women’s health—from the earliest medical ideas about women’s illnesses to hormones and autoimmune diseases—brought together in a fascinating sweeping narrative. Elinor Cleghorn became an unwell woman ten years ago. She was diagnosed...

What does it mean to conquer the world—if you cannot master yourself? He was born in a smoky palace in Pella, taught by Aristotle, and told that he was descended from gods. By the age of thirty, he ruled more of the known world than anyone before him. Yet behind the bronze armor and immortal legends was a man who bled, grieved, and dreamed of something larger than conquest. In Alexander the Great: The Mirror of Power, historian and storyteller Julian Arcadius delivers a sweeping, vivid portrait of the most extraordinary figure in human history—a man whose brilliance and flaws were bound...

Relive the magic of captivating legends and folktales in this rich collection on Celtic Mythology. In 58 BCE, when Julius Caesar – the famous Roman general – wrote a commentary on the Gallic wars, he described the “Celt” speaking people who lived in the area then known as the Gaul. These people had their own culture, gods, and beliefs – called Celtic Mythology – which were very different from the Romans. The influence of this mythology, however, was not limited to a small territory.

A collection of stories drawn from some of the finest early 20th-century works on folklore and mythology. Inside, you'll encounter enchanted princesses, mischievous elves, mysterious spirits, shape-shifting animals, and noble heroes facing trials beyond imagination. Whether it's the delicate retellings of Katharine Pyle, offering graceful versions of beloved fairy tales, or the rich global selections curated by master editors like William Allan Neilson, William Patten, and Charles William Eliot, every story carries its own touch of magic.

A detailed, illustrated exploration of 20 of the world's greatest mysteries. Go back in time and history and explore the wonders that have captured man's imagination for centuries. Be dazzled by a manuscript still undeciphered, an oasis in the desert abandoned, a legendary island lost, and a forgotten city rediscovered. Learn about the first computer, listen to the myths and legends, and visit cryptic sanctuaries beyond imagination. Crisscross the globe for answers, consider possibilities, and marvel at the ingenuity of past cultures and civilizations. Are they mysteries, lessons, or warnings?

Tallulah James comes from a long line of intelligent college professors with strong Southern roots - and long-buried family secrets. Tallulah's childhood is a tumultuous one: Her mother is often absent as she puts her goals to save the world over her family. Her father's ignored bipolar disorder results in bouts of depression and manic behavior that often leave Tallulah afraid and confused.

Step into the captivating realms of antiquity with "Enki and the World Order: A Beginner's Guide," and embark on an enlightening journey to the dawn of civilization. This meticulously researched book unravels the enigmatic world of ancient Mesopotamia, where Enki, the deity of wisdom, water, and creation, reigns supreme. As a pivotal figure in the pantheon of gods, Enki's influence extends far beyond the fertile banks of the Euphrates and Tigris, reaching into the very fabric of society and the natural order. Through engaging narratives and insightful analysis, this guide peels back the ...

Sunho lives in the Under World, a land of perpetual darkness. An ex-soldier, he can remember little of his life from before two years ago, when he woke up alone with only his name and his sword. Now he does odd jobs to scrape by, until he comes across the score of a lifetime—a chest of gold for any mercenary who can hunt down a girl who wields silver light. Meanwhile, far to the west, Ren is a cheerful and spirited acrobat living in an idyllic mountain village with her adoptive family. But everything changes during one of their performances when they is attacked by a horrific humanlike demon.

What if Norse Paganism wasn’t myth—but a living tradition of gods, rituals, and magick still holding power today? For centuries, Norse Paganism was dismissed as legend. But the truth is far richer: a spiritual path of deities, runes, and rituals that shaped the Viking world—and still inspires and transforms today.

"28 Universal Floods" is a captivating book that immerses us in a fascinating journey through the flood stories present in different mythologies, religions and stories around the world. From the Biblical tales of Noah to the legends of Matsya in Hindu mythology and Deucalion in Greek mythology, this book offers a comprehensive and insightful look at the many floods that have captured the imagination of mankind over the centuries. With careful research and gripping narration, the author immerses us in each of these 28 floods, exploring their origins, characteristics, and symbolic meanings. ...

Michael E. Gerber, the world's leading small business guru and bestselling author of the phenomenally successful The E-Myth Revisited, presents the next big step in entrepreneurial management and leadership with E-Myth Mastery. This audiobook presents a practical, real-world program that can be...

You think you know about Christmas celebrations? Get ready to discover the truth behind it all! You just need an audiobook that reveals how almost every "timeless" tradition is a product of invention, pagan rituals, and brilliant marketing.

Introducing book one in the CELTIC LEGENDS SERIES, a star-crossed lovers tale from the RITA-nominated author of passionate, magical romances Conor has lived a hundred lives…but loved only once Born to a powerful Irish priestess, Conor knows he is no ordinary warrior. Some whisper he’s not human at all. He seeks out Brigid of Morna, a reclusive, woodland seer, the only woman who can unveil the truth of his everlasting strength. But Brigid refuses to help him—or to yield her hungry heart. For she knows that a man cursed to live a thousand lives must never fall in love… "An enthralling...

What if the world was built from the body of a giant—and we’ve been chasing that legend ever since? From the dawn of civilization to the digital age, humankind has been haunted by stories of enormous beings. The Hidden History of Giants by Leif Harren is a sweeping exploration of these myths and mysteries—tracing how ancient faith, emerging science, and modern imagination have shaped our fascination with creatures larger than life. Across continents and centuries, giants appear as gods, heroes, villains, and metaphors. They build worlds, guard treasures, challenge the gods, and ...

The Odyssey is literature's grandest evocation of every man's journey through life. In the myths and legends that are retold here, the energy and poetry of Homer's original is captured in a bold, contemporary idiom, giving us an edition of The Odyssey that is a joy to listen to, worth...

Was the Confederacy doomed from the start in its struggle against the superior might of the Union? Did its forces fight heroically against all odds for the cause of states’ rights? In reality, these suggestions are an elaborate and intentional effort on the part of Southerners to rationalize the secession and the war itself. Unfortunately, skillful propagandists have been so successful in promoting this romanticized view that the Lost Cause has assumed a life of its own.

This classic presents historical, archaeological, and anthropological evidence to support the theory that ancient Egypt was a black civilization.

A scholarly, atmospheric tour of real urban legends and modern folklore, told with care, context, and curiosity so you finally understand why brightly lit cities still keep unquiet stories. Urban Legends Around the World is a nonfiction, city by city guide that explains where famous stories began, how newspapers, radio, television, forums, and tourism amplified them, and why they endure in places you can still visit today. Nathaniel Hargrove blends cultural history, folklore studies, psychology, and place based narrative so readers who enjoy intelligent ghost stories, haunted places, and ...

Using a wide array of sources, historian Matthew Restall highlights seven key myths, uncovering the source of the inaccuracies and exploding the fallacies and misconceptions behind each myth. This vividly written and authoritative book shows, for instance, that native Americans did not take the conquistadors for gods and that small numbers of vastly outnumbered Spaniards did not bring down great empires with stunning rapidity. We discover that Columbus was correctly seen in his lifetime - and for decades after - as a briefly fortunate but unexceptional participant in efforts.