Reviews (14)

Sheer stupidity
This doesn't even deserve the star I gave it. Think about how ridiculous this is! It was written by a self-proclaimed vampire, and describes magic spells and other bs used for other aspiring vampires to replace blood-sucking with energy...um...sucking.
A refreshing breath of air into a subject old as man
Reading this book is a very eye opening experience.The author is very comprehensive on the subject of psychic vamprism, so that people can be exposed to the light of truth about vampires and their life styles.This is a must read for anyone who is intrested in vampires, the occult, or any paranormal/metaphysial subject matter.

Fabulous!
This is a good book I have personally recommended to those who are just learning or those who wish to know more about real vampires.Very easily read and informative. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Folklore & Mythology - Folklore    2. Magick Studies    3. New Age    4. New Age / Body, Mind & Spirit    5. Occultism    6. Sociology    7. Vampires    8. Magic & alchemy    9. Mind, Body, Spirit    10. Wicca   

Reviews (6)

Great Companion For Anyone Looking Into Greek & Roman Myth
If you love the pioneering work on mythology done by Edith Hamilton, then this book is a necessary companion for you. Although she always covered the figures and places fairly well, obviously it becomes simpler when you have a dictionary beside you as an extra source (and at times the one and only) pointing us all in the right direction. If Greek and Roman mythology have ever stumped you beyond what you thought was repair, I promise that this book has the potential to clear that obscurity up. And look at the used price, you can actually AFFORD it, too! YAY! So if you want to better understand Hamilton, or even Joe Campbell, purchase this buddy. It's well worth the investment! Enjoy!

Exactly what I needed!
This book has one thing most (as far as I can tell) classical mythology references don't have: PRONUNCIATION for every entry. It's clear and complete, with even obscure references, and includes main sources. the neatest mythology resource I own
Whenever I want to know about anyone from Greek or Roman mythology, this is the first book I grab.They're all listed alphabetically & there is a satisfyingly concise description of each.Entries tend to be so short that this book is by no means the only one to read about mythology in, but it's an indispensible place to start. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Antiquities & Archaeology    2. Dictionaries    3. Folklore & Mythology - Mythology    4. General    5. Literature - Classics / Criticism    6. Mythology    7. Mythology, Classical    8. Philosophy / General   

Editorial Review

"Though this biography is definitely unauthorized," Peter Stanford writes in his preface, "and the subject has not cooperated -- as far as I am aware -- I did at least manage to track down not one but three exorcists." We're used to seeing entertaining biographies of the famous, but here's something new: a very readable biography of the most infamous of all, the Devil himself. Peter Stanford presents a great amount of historical and scholarly material, yet manages to do so in a witty and highly intelligent style that keeps the reader turning the pages. From early Mesopotamia through the long history of Christianity, from medieval witch hunts to today's heavy metal rockers and Satanic cults, Stanford manages to, as he puts it, present a "very personal exploration of the highs and lows of the Devil's influence." ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Pretty Good
This was pretty good, for the most part. The only thing that makes this book slightly dull is that it is a touch repetitive in it's information. But what makes it interesting is that it draws a parallel between God and the Devil. Very interesting, save for that minor glitch.

Wow, a non sensational book about the devil...
I was really impressed, especially after reading the review of the other amazon customer... Readable?Not by me
This book was a real disappointment.Though I wasn't looking for a sensationalist approach to the topic, itwas dry, dry, dry.The fact that so many of the reviews I'd seen referred to it as "readable"should have been a red flag.Readable compared to what?An accountingtextbook, perhaps, but nothing that one reads mostly for enjoyment.Theauthor is obviously a good scholar, but not engaging, at least in thisbook. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Christianity    2. Christianity - Theology - Angelology    3. Demonology    4. Devil    5. Folklore & Mythology    6. History of doctrines    7. Philosophy Of Religion    8. Religion    9. Theology   

Reviews (24)

Great idea, poor execution.
As a fan of Joseph Campbell's writings I was excited to see a book titled "A Joseph Campbell Companion", especially prefixed by the words "Reflections on the Art of Living". It sounded like something right up my alley. How could you possibly go wrong with a title like that?
Wonderful book
I came to this book having read only The Power of Myth; a transcript of the great Campbell TV series of that name. It motivated me to go out and buy some twenty plus books of Joseph Campbell. Good? It's not good; it's wonderful.
Miss
If you are looking for a book on Joseph Campbell, think again.Instead you will receive a hodge podge of Diane Osbon's thoughts and her own perspective of life- disapointing. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Action & Adventure    2. Folklore & Mythology - Mythology    3. Literature: Folklore/Mythology    4. Sociology    5. Spirituality - General    6. Fiction / Adventure   

Reviews (60)

Faeries Forever
If I could give this book 10 stars I would! Brian Frouds'"Faeries" is the most amazing book I have ever read. I found this book when I was young and fell in love with faeries instantly. The illustrations are astonishing for a lack of better word. Alan Lee and Brian Froud not only draw the most realistic and imaginitive faeries, but the stories included in the pagess really makes you believe that faeries are real. Brian Froud is the original faerie author and has influenced an whole new genre with his artwork.

Fair Faeries
This was a gift for a dear friend who is quite Faery-like herself.I've given several of Mr. Froud's faery books to people, and they are inevitably very pleased.Mr. Froud is a sensitive artist and captures the "Shining Folk" or "Lords and Ladies" very impressively, almost as though he were in touch with the Elemental Kingdoms himself, consciously or unconciously.These are splendid gifts for the imaginative, whether child or adult, and I recommend them very highly.

A World In A Book
Faeries is the absolute greatest art book when it comes to fantasy, and that is because of the content, and the artists involved, as well as the quality in which it was printed and published in this, the 25th Anniversary Edition.
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Subjects:  1. Art & Art Instruction    2. Children: Young Adult (Gr. 7-9)    3. Fairies    4. Folklore & Mythology - Folklore    5. Individual Artist    6. Juvenile Fiction    7. Legends, Myths, & Fables - General    8. Subjects & Themes - General    9. Fiction / Fantasy / General    10. Monsters & legendary beings    11. Myths & mythology   

Reviews (1)

Illustrations
I was impressed with the thoroughness of the herbal information in this book, and doubly impressed by the superb illustrations! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1910-    2. Biography / Autobiography    3. Black American Sociology    4. Folk Medicine    5. Folklore & Mythology    6. General    7. Herbalists    8. Herbs    9. History: World    10. Lee, John,    11. Materia medica, Vegetable    12. North Carolina    13. Social Science    14. Sociology    15. Therapeutic use    16. Complementary Medicine    17. Ethnic studies    18. Lee, John    19. North America    20. Social Science / Folklore & Mythology    21. Specific disorders & therapies   

Reviews (1)

The Lion and the Mouse: A Fable by Aesop
This is a great book!It simply retells the old story with beautiful illustrations.I would recomend this book to read with your small children. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    2. Children: Grades 1-2    3. Fables    4. Folklore    5. Juvenile Fiction    6. Legends, Myths, & Fables - General    7. Legends, Myths, & Fables - Greek & Roman    8. Fiction    9. Juvenile Fiction / Legends, Myths, Fables / Greek & Roman    10. Picture books   

Reviews (2)

The Best Compilation of Greek Myths & Legends
Just like the playwrights, Ovid is great in his own sphere (get the Arthur Golding translation--"Shakespeare's Ovid"), but his Metamorphoses are an artistic presentation of a single poet, whereas Apollodorus (though he surely relies on the poets as well) gives the simplest and most demotic/standard versions of the stories. Ovid is Variations on a Theme, while Apollodorus is as close as we get to the theme itself. Good for a reference
The World's Classics sereies has presented a fine new translation of theMythology Library of "Apollodorus" (a name of convenience for anauthor we know nothing about). Translator and editor Hard cleanly presentsthe writer's exhaustive compilation of Greek mythology, and through carefuldivision and labelling of the sections, reveals some of the author'smeticulous categorization.For hard-core mythology nuts, this is anindispensible reference: the Greek myths straight from a collector ofantiquity, and our only glimpse at some important lost works.But a wordof warning to the layman: Apollodorus is possible the most dull writer ofthe ancient world, and he make no attempts to create an entertaining oreven readable work.It's all dry and dense -- nothing a translator canreally do about that!If you're looking for a more entertaining ancientcompliation of mythology, try Ovid's delightful METAMORPHOSES. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Ancient and Classical    2. Classics    3. Comparative Religion    4. Folklore & Mythology    5. Folklore & Mythology - Mythology    6. Literature: Classics    7. Mythology, Greek    8. Social Science    9. Sociology    10. Classical Studies | Classical Mythology    11. Fiction / Folklore    12. Hellenic languages    13. Pre-Christian European & Mediterranean religions   

Reviews (1)

You wouldn't know by looking at it....
that this was actually a good book. Myprofessor made us purchase this for a foklore class.He told us that it was not all that exciting, but I beg to differ.I found this to be an excellent leisure reading book aswell as an excellent textbook for class.I highly recommend this to anyoneinterested in folklore. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Folklore    2. Folklore & Mythology    3. Folklore & Mythology - Folklore    4. Literature: Folklore/Mythology    5. Social Science    6. Social life and customs    7. Sociology    8. United States    9. USA   

Subjects:  1. Art    2. Folklore & Mythology - Mythology    3. General    4. Historical Geography    5. Human Geography    6. Mythology, Celtic    7. New Age / Body, Mind & Spirit    8. Orientation (Religion)    9. Sacred space    10. Geography    11. Myths & mythology    12. Pre-Christian European & Mediterranean religions    13. United Kingdom, Great Britain   

Reviews (17)

Marvelous
Everything by Joseph Campbell is wonderful, but these transcribed talks are the most approachable.

Our own, and the world's, divine ground
I am glad that I finally got around to reading this collection of Campbell's lectures delivered between 1958 and 1971. Since they deal with eternal subject matter there is little chance of them being "dated." The common theme running through them all is the deep power of myth on the inner, spiritual lives of human beings throughout the ages. This includes our own age, whether we personally want to admit or recognize it.
A new mythology
What is a mythology? What role does it play in modern society? Does it have any positive effects in our culture? Campbell's book explores these questions, by giving a clear account of the different mythologies around the world and throughout the ages. This comparative study of our ancestral and modern beliefs and views of the universe not only enlighten us as to how our forefathers confronted reality but it, as well, teaches us how we can deal with the world of experience around us.
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Subjects:  1. Folklore & Mythology - Mythology    2. Literature - Classics / Criticism    3. Literature: Folklore/Mythology    4. Mythology    5. Fiction / Folklore    6. Myths & mythology   

Reviews (10)

An in-depth study of Celtic myths, religion, and culture. Dense but readable, with too much comparativestudy. Highly recommended
Celtic Heritage is an in-depth study of the myths of Ireland and Whales, interpreting the myths, identifying key themes, and determining the impact of pre-Christiain Celtic society on the myths. The Rees brothers provide an overview of the branches of Irish and Welsh mythology, explore themes such as darkness and light, creation stories, hierarchy, religious/cultural centers, and the use of numbers as they appear in the myth and therefore as the influenced Celtic society, and then analyze the aspects of the different kind of stories, including births, wooings, adventures, and deaths, that make up the Irish and Welsh myths. Their analysis closely follows the original texts and shows a great deal of research into Celtic history and ancient culture. Ultimately, by working backward from the myths and using archaeological and cultural research as a guide, they are able to draw conclusions about the pre-Christian Celtic society itself: structure, beliefs, and practices. It is a scholarly text and can be dense and difficult to read it at times; there are also too many comparisons made to Indian religion, and the Reeses are to willing to use these comparative studies to imply or infer parts of Celtic religion and mythical interpretation. However, on the whole this is a scholarly, in-depth, eye opening book with useful information and brilliant, logical analysis. I highly recommend it. If you're having trouble finding a copy, college libraries seem to stock this book fairly consistently. Excellent primer
In this book, Alywn and Brinley explore the myths of the ancient Celts in order to undertsand their culture, values and beliefs through the stories they told. They offer an explanaation of the different cycles ie Ulster, Fenian and the symbls used in the myths.
good celtic study
This book is a good (though not great) study of Celtic mythology. Though I feel it bogs down in the second part, covering a complex series of connections between places and numbers and what not, the third part, covering the myths in themes such as births, wooings, deaths, and more is a unique look at Celtic cosmology. Currently out of print, it's a worthwhile search for the serious Celtic student. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Folklore & Mythology    2. History and criticism    3. History: American    4. Ireland    5. Ireland - History    6. Mythology, Celtic    7. Sociology    8. Tales    9. Wales    10. Cultural studies   

Reviews (7)

Great African Oral History
This is a great read, and I would encourage anyone who is interested about African oral history, to read Sundiata.It reflects the rich oral tradion that so greatly defines African culture.This is an epic about a cripple who becomes an Emperor (to put very simply).A great Hero Story.

From The Publishers:
I am adding the following in hopes it may be of help to someone:
Sundiata: A Story Worth Reading
Sundiata is an epic of Old Mali. It talks about Sundiata who "was great among kings, he was peerless among men; he was beloved of God because he was the last of the great conquerors" (2). The events of this story seem to be exaggerated because they pictured Sundiata as a supernatural person, with supernatural powers. The writer mixed the true and exaggerated events in a very smart way that made the story seem not fictional but more or less true.Read more

Subjects:  1. Fiction    2. Folklore & Mythology - Folklore    3. General    4. Literature - Classics / Criticism    5. Literary Criticism & Collections / General    6. Modern fiction   

Reviews (11)

Disappointed with Amazon
While this is certainly an interesting reference tool, the book Amazon keeps in stock as 'The Penguin Dictionary of Symbols' is not the one pictured.The book that this page leads you to believe you are buying is quite a bit shorter, but actually gives illustrations of the symbols (I used to own a copy of it).The book that Amazon sells on this page is a fairly useful reference book, but lacks the imagery of the one pictured, which some buyers may be seeking.

An essential reference work
Hands down, the best resource of its kind available in print.

A book full of surprise
My teacher recommanded this dictionary to me (she got a copy of original French version). After I got this book I had a quick check of it. However, I couldn't stop when I started reading it! I found myself being "absorbed" in this book! I read it not as a dictionary but a book full of surprise. Although there ain't so many beautiful pictures in this book, I'd still like to recommand it. But if you want a book full of pictures, just choose the Norton one. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Dictionaries    2. Dictionaries - General    3. Folklore    4. Folklore & Mythology    5. Mythology    6. Reference    7. Semiotics & Theory    8. Signs and symbols    9. Social Science    10. Anthropology    11. Mind, body, spirit: disciplines & techniques    12. Reference works    13. Social Science / Folklore & Mythology   

Reviews (3)

Serious, scholarly work
This is a very informative, very well written, and very well researched book on the beast. But the current price ~ $750 is outrageously expensive. The other reviewers who say it is worth the price must have based their statements on the earlier, cheaper price of $125.I got access to it through an inter-library loan. If you can't afford the book and are interested in the story of the beast, try to get your local library to arrange an inter-library loan for you. This is a very factual, informative book on the subject. While it may not be worth the current $700 asking price, it is worth the time and effort to find and read a library edition.

Best Account in English of the Beast's Career
Ever since encountering the story of the Beast of the Gevaudan in Montague Summers' The Werewolf in my younger years (2 decades ago), I have searched for a fuller account. Mr. Thompson's work far exceeded my expectations when I chanced upon it - he covers in great detail all the victims and traces the full drama of 1764 to 1767 as the Beast is hunted by Duhamel, Denneval, Antoine de Beauterne, and finally killed by Jean Chastel. After a death tally of 100+, just what was it? A wolf? Crossbred monster? Was there only one? Or two?
IN THE END WORTH THE PRICE.
I stumbled across this book looking for anything I could find on the Beast of the Gevaudan after seeing the movie The Brotherhood of the Wolf. I was very interested to find out that this movie was based loosely on a real French legend.Read more

Subjects:  1. 18th century    2. Folklore    3. Folklore & Mythology - Folklore    4. France    5. Gevaudan    6. Gâevaudan    7. Gâevaudan (France)    8. History    9. History: World    10. Sociology    11. Wolves    12. Social history    13. c 1700 to c 1800   

Reviews (10)

Amazing book any age
A book you won't mine reading every night. Great story with great drawings...My 4 year old loves it so do I.

Beautiful!
Muth's watercolors are delicate and expressive, and work beautifully in retelling this familiar story. Oh, the wanderers are poor monks, and the setting isn't European, but it's still the same story we all love.
first taste
The author has introduced multicultural idea. My family and I love it for starters in this respect. Highly recommended. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    2. Children: Preschool    3. Classics    4. Fairy Tales & Folklore - General    5. Fairy Tales & Folklore - Single Title    6. Folklore    7. France    8. Juvenile Fiction    9. Preschool Picture Story Books    10. Juvenile Fiction / Legends, Myths, Fables / General   

Subjects:  1. Folklore & Mythology    2. Handbooks, manuals, etc    3. Methodology    4. Research    5. Social Science    6. Social sciences    7. Sociology    8. Social Science / Research    9. Social research & statistics    10. Social theory   

Reviews (9)

Great guide to reading natures signs
I ,and my family,use this book all the time as a field guide to interpret natural signs and omens in nature.This book is an authentic,true guide to how many native people look at the natural world and how it trys to guide and assist us in our lives.Bobby has done a great job,weaving traditional stories and short interpretations on each animal,insect or birds being discussed.Especially instructive was the section on how to use the creative,right brain to intuit the language of nature.Native people do not write in a overly intellectual or complex style .The teachings and beauty is in the simplicity and heart of the words.This book speaks to your mind yet on the spiritual level too.Great book!!!!!!!

informative
I'm not a total novice of the subject, but I do still have a lot to learn. I found I liked the writing style of the author who seems to be very experienced and knowledgable. I came away from reading this book armed with a whole lot of new information (new for me) and a better appreciation for that which we do not see, or sometimes CHOOSE not to see. As I was reading this book, I found myself reaching often for my notepad to jot down quotes that "hit" me. I began reading this book at the same time I was reading a novel...on a very recent trip which involved a couple of long airplane flights. I was much more drawn to pulling this book out of my bag than the novel. That says alot to me.

A great book
Bobby Lake-Thom aka Medcine Grizzly Bear is the real deal, word is, that he is an excellent medicine person with tremendous knowldege. These books are an effort of Medicine Grizzly Bear to bring this knowledge to all people. The Spirits of the Earth offers us a look into old form of comunication when people and nature were one.Spirts of the Earth uncovers the path so that we can re-learn a language that was given to us by the Great Creator in order to make our lives easier. This book is exellent, I would highly reccomend it as a necessary book to any Native American or Shamanism collection. His other titles are also fantastic...... "Native Healer" and "Call of the Great Spirit" ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Ethnic Studies - Native American Studies - Spirituality    2. Folklore    3. Folklore & Mythology    4. Folklore & Mythology - Folklore    5. Indians of North America    6. Native American Folklore    7. Nature    8. Religion    9. Rites and ceremonies    10. Social Science    11. Sociology    12. Mind, Body, Spirit    13. North America    14. Social Science / Folklore & Mythology   

Reviews (7)

The truth versus slanders about "Assassins"
By this detailed book Daftary submerges into 12th century politics. He carefully retells the history of islam and all of its various sects. The Assassins legends are carefully explained and the truth behind the slanders has been brought to light. The middle-age politics were made under the veil of islam in the middle-east back then. The sect's political ambition is to rise against foregin invasion(that is Selcuk rulers)No credit to tales about drugging men into sacrificing their lives for the promise of heaven. This group were made out of then-persian patriots defending their culture as a way of life.All in all a well-written book worth reading several times all over

Essential Reading on the Ismailis and "Assassins"
There's no question that Daftary's work -- like Bernard Lewis' -- is essential reading for anyone studying the Ismailis, or the various legends surrounding the so-called hasheeshians, or assassins. I came across Daftary's work and his Institutue of Ismaili Studies in London as I was preparing the first English translation of ALAMUT, Vladimir Bartol's novel of Hasan ibn Sabbah, the original so-called "assassin."
The expert's perspective
As the Head of the Department of Academic Research and Publications at the Institute of Islamic studies it is safe to say that Daftary is the foremost expert and scholar in Ismailism today. What makes this book so compelling is that it dares to defy the age old myths of the so called "Assassins". Few books, if any, have provided readers with this perspective, and Daftary pulls it off exceptionally. While the book may be heavy in names, dates and facts they serve to provide credibility and work to dispel the myths that many have worked hard to create. Finally, a piece that gives competing works a run for their money. Anyone who has read other, older and perhaps more popular works about the "Assassin Terrorist" are highly recommended to read Daftary's works as they make a much more convincing argument. The book also elucidates the origins of myth and folklore and how they develop into acceptable facts with time. With all the negativity surrounding Islam and Ismailism today The Assassin Legends gives an opportunity to step back and look the entire picture. Any real scholar would admit that there are two sides to every story, and to study the Assassins without consulting Daftary's works would be committing a sincere injustice. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Assassins (Ismailites)    2. Folklore & Mythology    3. Historiography    4. History    5. History - General History    6. History: World    7. Middle East - Iran    8. Asian / Middle Eastern history: c 500 to c 1500    9. Middle East    10. Myths & mythology   

Reviews (8)

The "Good Walkers"
In his book, The Night Battles, Carlo Ginzburg addresses the historical problem of why, during sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, did the Friulian fertility rituals of the benandanti, or "good-walkers", gradually assimilate into witchcraft.The benandanti, marked at birth by the sign of the caul, served Christ and their community by leaving their bodies at night to fight evil witches that had attempted to destroy or steal their harvest.Because of the ignorance of the Friuli language and benandanti rituals, the Church conducted incessant inquisitions and trials against the self-proclaimed benandanti, which in effect, pushed the benandanti toward witchcraft and participation in the sabbat.
Ian Myles Slater: on Popular Belief and Official Doctrine
Whether or not Carlo Ginzburg actually discovered evidence of shamanism in sixteenth-century Italy, in this or later books, is in part a matter of how one defines shamanism. What he undeniably found, in the seemingly unpromising records of the Inquisition, was evidence of beliefs so remote from those of official European culture as to be flatly unintelligible to the churchmen who first encountered them. Eventually, the Church courts managed to impose something resembling officially acceptable doctrines on the local population, but the process took generations, as Ginzburg is able to show from trial records.
Ground-breaking work
As anthropologists fanned around the world they brought back detailed accounts of shamanic practices of indigenous peoples from Africa, Asia, Siberia & Native America - but not from Europe. European shamanism (including druidism) is thought to have been largely stamped out due to the combined efforts of Enlightenement and the Holy Inquisition.The book opens up the question of the many similarities between Germanic, Latin, Slavic agricultural cults and their relationship to the Dionysian rituals as well as the issue of universality of core beliefs that underly indigenous practices around the world. Read more

Subjects:  1. Europe - Italy    2. Folklore & Mythology - Folklore    3. Fruili    4. Fruili (Italy)    5. History - General History    6. History: World    7. Italy    8. Modern World History (Circa 1450 To Present)    9. Religious Cults    10. Religious life and customs    11. Witchcraft    12. Satanism & demonology    13. Social history