Here are the compelling stories of seven islands which mapmakers documented and depicted in the Age of Discovery, but which really arose from sailors' tales and fanciful legends brought back from the uncharted wilderness that was the Atlantic Ocean.Donald S. Johnson reveals each island's dark origins and mysterious cartographic life through an intricate exploration of history and myth. From the Isle of Demons, born of a fable invented by pious Christians, to the elusive Buss Island, the creation of an ambitious explorer, these places of the imagination are a fascinating legacy of a bygone age. Beautifully illustrated with dozens of maps and engravings, Phantom Islands of the Atlantic brings these legendary lands to life for a remarkable odyssey into the human spirit of exploration.

    Written in Iceland a century after the close of the Viking Age, it tells ancient stories of the Norse creation epic and recounts the battles that follow as gods, giants, dwarves and elves struggle for survival. It also preserves the oral memory of heroes, warrior kings and queens. In clear prose interspersed with powerful verse, the Edda provides unparalleled insight into the gods' tragic realisation that the future holds one final cataclysmic battle, Ragnarok, when the world will be destroyed. These tales from the pagan era have proved to be among the most influential of all myths and legends, inspiring modern works as diverse as Wagner's Ring Cycle and Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings.This new translation by Jesse Byock captures the strength and subtlety of the original, while his introduction sets the tales fully in the context of Norse mythology. This edition also includes detailed notes and appendices.

    But what are the origins of an actual bodily return from the grave? Does it come from something deep within our psyche, or is there some truth to it?In Zombies, Bob Curran explores how some of these beliefs may have arisen and the truths that lay behind them, examining myths from all around the world and from ancient times including Sumerian, Babylonian, Egyptian, and Celtic. Curran traces the evolution of belief in the walking cadaver from its early inception in religious ideology to the "Resurrections" and cataleptics of 18th century Europe, from prehistoric tale to Arthurian romance. Zombies even examines the notion of the "living dead" in the world today--entities such as the "living mummies" of Japan.Zombies is a unique book, the only one to systematically trace the development of a cultural idea of physical resurrection and explore the myths that have grown around it, including the miracles of Old Testament prophets. It will interest those enticed by the return of the corporeal dead and also those curious as to how such an idea sits within the historical context.

    Written by an all-around tech guru and the coauthor of Windows 8.1 For Seniors For Dummies, it cuts through confusing jargon and covers just what you need to know: navigating the interface with a mouse or a touchscreen, customizing the desktop, managing printers and other external devices, setting up and connecting to simple networks, and storing files in the Cloud. Plus, you'll find helpful instructions on sending and receiving email, uploading, editing, and downloading pictures, listening to music, playing games, and so much more.Whether you're upgrading to the new Windows 10 operating system with the hopes of keeping in touch with loved ones via webcam or instant messenger, viewing videos, or simply making your life more organized and streamlined, all the guidance you need to make the most of Windows 10 is at your fingertips.Customize the desktop and set up a simple network Connect with family and friends online Work with apps like a pro Safely protect your data, your computer, and your identity With large-print format for text, figures, and drawings, there's no easier way to get up and running on the new Windows operating system than with Windows 10 For Seniors For Dummies.

    Unsurpassed in its sheer scope and depth, it employs an extensive range of historical documentation and folklore from throughout Europe to powerfully portray the horror associated with belief in werewolves.Summers adopts a comprehensive theological and philosophical approach, cataloging a series of literary connections between witch and wolf. Drawing upon the work of anthropologists, totemists, and rationalists, he examines the supernatural practice of shapeshifting, notes the finer distinctions between werewolfery and lycanthropy, and explores the differences of opinion on exactly how ordinary humans are transformed into creatures of "unbridled cruelty, bestial ferocity, and ravening hunger." The author's Gothic style, rich in fascinating examples and anecdotes, offers compelling fare for lovers of esoteric lore. Even the most skeptical of readers can appreciate the evocative ways in which The Werewolf in Lore and Legend conveys the dread of those for whom these monsters were not mere superstition but terrifying reality.

    Delving into the 15th century to uncover the origins of the werewolf legend, it is an eye-opening, blood-pounding tour through the ages, landing on the doorstep of creatures like hirsute mass-murderer Charles Manson and canine-directed Son of Sam. A helpful chronology of lycanthropic activities dates back 140,000 years, to the first mixing of human and lupine blood.

    Stories of miracles, visions of hell, jokes, fables, and legends, these tales reflect the Japanese worldview during a classic period in Japanese civilization. Masterfully edited and translated by the acclaimed translator of The Tale of Genji, these stories ably balance the lyrical and the dramatic, the ribald and the profound, offering a window into a long-vanished though perennially fascinating culture.

    Where can you find the 'Devil's footprints'? What happened at the 'hangman's stone'? Did Sweeney Todd, the demon barber of Fleet Street, ever really exist? Where was King Arthur laid to rest? Bringing together tales of hauntings, highwaymen, family curses and lovers' leaps, this magnificent guide will take you on a magical journey through England's legendary past.

    Here are myths of gods, heroes and warriors; legends of Buddha, and of the goddess Benten and the god Daikoku; tales of the sea and of Mount Fuji; accounts of superstitions and supernatural beings; observations on the spiritual properties of fans, flowers, dolls and butterflies and much more.The collection begins with the early myths of Japan, which the author describes as "quaint, beautiful, quasi-humorous." These are followed by legends celebrating early heroes and warriors, and the earliest examples of the Japanese romance, "The Bamboo-Cutter and the Moon-Maiden." Many of the legends that follow reflect a poetic love of beauty and of nature. But as the author points out, "there is plenty of crude realism in Japanese legend. We are repelled by the Thunder God's favorite repast, amazed by the magical power of foxes and cats; and the story of 'Hōïchi-the-Earless' and of the corpse-eating priest afford striking examples of the combination of the weird and the horrible."Thirty-two full-page illustrations offer compelling images of Buddha and the Dragon; A Kakemono Ghost; The Jelly-Fish and the Monkey; The Firefly Battle; Tokoyo and the Sea Serpent; Sengen, the Goddess of Mount Fuji; and other subjects of these timeless myths. In addition, the author has included several invaluable appendixes that offer a helpful note on Japanese poetry, a listing of gods and goddesses, a genealogy of The Age of the Gods, and an index of poetical quotations.

    ROBB SERIES READING ORDER: MY READING CHECKLIST. THIS IS A COMPREHENSIVE LIST OF ALL BOOKS IN ALL SERIES PUBLISHED BY J.D. ROBB. THIS CHECKLIST IS FREE ON YOUR KINDLE UNLIMITED SUBSCRIPTION. USING THIS CHECKLIST IS AS EASY AS 1-2-3: 1. HIGHLIGHT THE BOOKS YOU HAVE READ • Tap on the name of the book • Press highlight in the popup that appears • This is a great way to keep track of the books you have read, and find the books you still have to read 2. USE KINDLE UNLIMITED FOR LIFETIME FREE UPDATES • Kindle Unlimited lets you keep 10 books at a time on your device • Download this checklist only when you need it • Highlight the books you have read, and return the checklist back into the Cloud • Retrieve this checklist from the Cloud next time you need it again 3. ACTIVATE AUTO UPDATES • Turn on auto updates from your device to be notified when this checklist is updated • When Amazon pushes an update through, you’ll have the opportunity to download the latest version ALWAYS KEEP UP-TO-DATE WITH THE LATEST RELEASES FROM YOUR FAVORITE AUTHORS. THIS CHECKLIST WILL BE UPDATED PROMPTLY WHEN J.D. ROBB RELEASES A NEW BOOK. IT’S THAT SIMPLE. THIS CHECKLIST COVERS THE FOLLOWING SERIES BY J.D. ROBB: • IN DEATH SERIES • IN DEATH STORIES IN ANTHOLOGIES CAN YOU GET THIS INFORMATION FOR FREE? SURE, THIS INFORMATION IS OUT THERE FOR FREE, BUT YOU WILL HAVE TO GO THROUGH THE HASSLE OF SEARCHING WEBSITES AND COLLATING ALL THE VARIOUS BOOKS AND SERIES NAMES, CREATING A WORD/PDF DOCUMENT, DOWNLOADING THE CALIBRE SOFTWARE, FORMATTING AND CONVERTING YOUR DOCUMENT TO .MOBI, AND THEN SIDE-LOADING YOUR KINDLE. SAVE ALL THAT HASSLE BY GETTING THIS LIST — THE MOST TIME AND COST EFFECTIVE WAY TO BE KEPT INFORMED OF THE LATEST RELEASES FROM J.D. ROBB. ARE YOU WORRIED ABOUT COPYRIGHT? DON’T BE. THIS CHECKLIST IS COMPLIANT WITH CIRCULAR 34 FROM THE U.S. COPYRIGHT OFFICE. APART FROM NAMES, TITLES, AND SHORT PHRASES AND EXPRESSIONS, NO COPYRIGHTED MATERIAL IS REPRODUCED.

    No complex terminology. ★FREE eBook Download inside★ Your dad taught you how to play Chess, but he didn’t teach you much. You already know how to checkmate and move the pieces, but let’s face it, your friends and family still beat you more than you’d like. You don't just want to play. You want to win and possibly CONQUER ALL YOUR FRIENDS! You sly dog! I know the feeling and I’m here to help. My name is Maxen R. Tarafa and I’m a Skill Artist. In a few short months, I went from a struggling post-beginner to an adept intermediate player and doubled my Chess ability by teaching myself. In this book, I show you how you can double, even triple, your Chess ability like I did, but faster. But I’m going to tell you right now. My method is rather controversial. You see, most chess “experts” bombard you with complex Chess notation (QxB6?) and expect you to read complex Chess terminology. I don’t do that. I’ll give you a cheat sheet of what you NEED to remember, and you’ll be off to the Chess boards and killing Queens like it’s nobody’s business. In this book, you learn: -How to play your first 10 moves so YOU control the game (Chess Openings) -How to use 3 techniques (or Chess tactics) like bringing light sabers to a knife fight -How to identify one weakness, if you simply recognize it, you can win in one move -How to cut your training time in ½. Know what to study and apply brainhacking techniques. -How to avoid common beginner mistakes with time-tested Chess strategy -Where to find FREE Chess websites, apps, videos, and technology to double your skills -How to use the one principle I taught to Eduardo that took him from losing miserably to unbeatable -How to “bend” the Chess rules with little-known special moves (it’s not cheating!) -And more I taught a 9-year-old these principles and a week later he was beating 17-year-olds. Anyone, even you, can learn how to double your Chess ability by learning a few easy principles. You’ll even learn how to speed your decision-making and play speed chess. If you’re looking for quick and easy Chess instruction to double your skills, but don’t want to learn complex terminology and notation, this book is for you! Don’t let your friend, brother, dad, or roommate beat you again! Join the Casual Chess revolution! Plain-English Chess Instruction for Casual Players, Post-Beginners, and People who Want to Learn Fast! ★Now Available in Paperback! To buy paperback, scroll up and click the Paperback link (by the cover image)★

    Featuring more than 600 color illustrations, this is a treasure trove of fun and fascination for the entire family.

    Among the essential characters are the quiet man's wife who knew the Devil's secrets, the three daughters who robbed their father's grave, and the wife in disguise who married her own husband—not to mention the Bear's son, the tricksters Fox and Monkey, the two compadres, and the classic rogue Pedro de Urdemalas.Gathered from twenty countries, including the United States, the stories are brought together here in a core collection of one hundred tales arranged in the form of a velorio, or wake, the most frequent occasion for public storytelling. The tales are preceded by a selection of early Colonial legends foreshadowing the themes of Latino folklore and are followed by a carefully chosen group of modern Indian myths that replay the basic stories in a contrasting key. Riddles, chain riddles, and folk prayers, part and parcel of the velorio along with folktales, are introduced at appropriate junctures.The collection is unprecedented in size and scope, and most of the tales have not been translated into English before. The result is the first panoramic anthology of Hispano-American folk narratives in any language.Part of the Pantheon Fairy Tale and Folklore Library

    Included are descriptions of old forests; forest customs, temples and sacred groves; mythical forest creatures such as witches, fairies, demons, wood spirits, the "wild huntsman," and wood nymphs.The author also recounts facts and fables about individual trees, including famous trees throughout the world, unusual trees, tree worship, people's transformation into trees, and disposal of the dead in trees — as well as folklore about fossil trees, tree bark, leaves, thorns, diving rods, and Yule logs.This long-unavailable treasury of legend and lore will be welcomed by naturalists, anthropologists, students of folklore, and general readers alike. "A work which the curious will love to consult … a book which should be in every upper school library, and at the hand of every one to whom reference to such things is important." — Saturday Review.

    A unique body of medieval literature, the Sagas rank with the world’s great literary treasures – as epic as Homer, as deep in tragedy as Sophocles, as engagingly human as Shakespeare. Set around the turn of the last millennium, these stories depict with an astonishingly modern realism the lives and deeds of the Norse men and women who first settled in Iceland and of their descendants, who ventured farther west to Greenland and, ultimately, North America. Sailing as far from the archetypal heroic adventure as the long ships did from home, the Sagas are written with psychological intensity, peopled by characters with depth, and explore perennial human issues like love, hate, fate and freedom.