Book Description
An introduction to Greek and Roman mythology provides explanations of all the gods and their roles, origins of the myths and theories on who wrote them, and the function of myths in society
Author : Kevin Osborn
Publisher : Penguin
Page : 428 pages
File Size : 11,12 MB
Release : 1998
Category : Social Science
ISBN : 9780028623856
An introduction to Greek and Roman mythology provides explanations of all the gods and their roles, origins of the myths and theories on who wrote them, and the function of myths in society
Author : Evans Lansing Smith
Publisher : Penguin
Page : 372 pages
File Size : 30,38 MB
Release : 2008
Category : Literary Criticism
ISBN : 9781592577644
The dictionary defines mythology as a collection of ancient tales handed down over millennia, mainly dealing with gods and goddesses, that explains the way the world works, from natural events to society at large. Many people think of the deities of Greece and Rome when they think of mythology, forgetting that almost every culture has its own set of myths to interpret and explain its distinct worldview, often showing striking and fascinating similarities to the classical myths most people are familiar with. The Complete Idiot's Guide to World Mythologyexplores the gods and goddesses, heroes and heroines, monsters and angels of the myths from every corner of the globe - the Americas, the Middle East and Africa, Asia, and more. Additionally, it explores the parallels between every culture, including Greece and Rome - striking similarities in mythic figures and the structure, action, wording, and result of the stories themselves.
Author : Jay Stevenson
Publisher : Penguin
Page : 308 pages
File Size : 42,91 MB
Release : 2009-01-21
Category : Social Science
ISBN : 1101020016
Vampires are the hottest topic in popular culture today. From the now classic novels of Anne Rice, to the mega-selling series by Stephanie Meyer to the hit HBO series True Blood based on the bestselling novels of Charlaine Harris, the undead are certainly not dead in terms of books sales. Now, those curious about the history and lore of these creatures can get up to speed in the refreshed edition of The Complete Idiot's Guide® to Vampires. It provides a detailed explanation of the origins of vampires and insight into the fascination they hold in literature and belief. • Complete history and origins of this mythic creature • An explanation of the various rules that vampires exist by • A lively and exhaustive literary discussion of vampires and their importance in fiction
Author : Tere Stouffer
Publisher : Penguin
Page : 276 pages
File Size : 39,52 MB
Release : 2007
Category : Juvenile Nonfiction
ISBN : 9781592575992
You're no idiot. You know the wildly popular Harry Potter series has captivated readers of all ages from the release of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stoneon. But did you recognize all the subtle references Rowling uses in her characters' names or in the magical creatures we encounter and places we explore in Harry's wonderful world of wizardry? The truth is, the world of Harry Potter is incredibly textured and complex and not only has factual roots in history, mythology, science, and folklore, but also draws on all genres of literature, from C. S. Lewis to the Bible. You'll learn this and much more in the fun facts and tantalizing trivia provided in this fabulous new addition to the Complete Idiot's Guide series! This is not a retelling of Rowling's stories, nor is it intended to be a cheat sheet to the novels, a la the Cliffs Notes series. Instead, it is an entertaining and easily referenced presentation of insider information to the world Rowling has created in her spellbinding series of novels.
Author : Timothy C. Hall, M.A.
Publisher : Penguin
Page : 401 pages
File Size : 48,48 MB
Release : 2012-01-03
Category : History
ISBN : 1101556188
Puts world events in a context that is relevant for today's students and casual readers Updated to include the significant events from the past several years
Author : Cory O'Brien
Publisher : Penguin
Page : 306 pages
File Size : 42,30 MB
Release : 2013-03-05
Category : Humor
ISBN : 039916040X
From the creator of Myths Retold comes a hilarious collection of Greek, Norse, Chinese and even Sumerian myths retold in their purest, bawdiest forms! All our lives, we’ve been fed watered-down, PC versions of the classic myths. In reality, mythology is more screwed up than a schizophrenic shaman doing hits of unidentified…wait, it all makes sense now. In Zeus Grants Stupid Wishes, Cory O’Brien, creator of Myths RETOLD!, sets the stories straight. These are rude, crude, totally sacred texts told the way they were meant to be told: loudly, and with lots of four-letter words. Did you know? Cronus liked to eat babies. Narcissus probably should have just learned to masturbate. Odin got construction discounts with bestiality. Isis had bad taste in jewelry. Ganesh was the very definition of an unplanned pregnancy. And Abraham was totally cool about stabbing his kid in the face. Still skeptical? Here are a few more gems to consider: • Zeus once stuffed an unborn fetus inside his thigh to save its life after he exploded its mother by being too good in bed. • The entire Egyptian universe was saved because Sekhmet just got too hammered to keep murdering everyone. • The Hindu universe is run by a married couple who only stop murdering in order to throw sweet dance parties…on the corpses of their enemies. • The Norse goddess Freyja once consented to a four-dwarf gangbang in exchange for one shiny necklace. And there’s more dysfunctional goodness where that came from.
Author : Nathan Barber
Publisher : Penguin
Page : 602 pages
File Size : 41,35 MB
Release : 2011-10-04
Category : History
ISBN : 1101558563
• Fascinating, fact-filled writing that delivers hundreds of years in the life of the European continent • Terrific supplementary reading for AP History students
Author : Harold D. Underdown
Publisher : Penguin
Page : 392 pages
File Size : 44,77 MB
Release : 2004
Category : Reference
ISBN : 9781592571437
Provides practical and timely advice on writing different types of children's books, working with publishers, understanding the publishing process, the importance of illustrators, and building a career in the field of children's literature. Original. 12,000 first printing.
Author : Tom F. Monteleone
Publisher : Alpha Books
Page : 363 pages
File Size : 13,71 MB
Release : 2010
Category : Language Arts & Disciplines
ISBN : 9781615640331
Provides the tips and techniques to guide authors, covers plot, characters, and setting with information on revising, working with editors, and self-publishing.
Author : Edward C. Rosenthal Ph.D.
Publisher : Penguin
Page : 419 pages
File Size : 35,57 MB
Release : 2011-03-01
Category : Mathematics
ISBN : 1101478845
Gain some insight into the game of life... Game Theory means rigorous strategic thinking. It is based on the idea that everyone acts competitively and in his own best interest. With the help of mathematical models, it is possible to anticipate the actions of others in nearly all life's enterprises. This book includes down-to-earth examples and solutions, as well as charts and illustrations designed to help teach the concept. In The Complete Idiot's Guide® to Game Theory, Dr. Edward C. Rosenthal makes it easy to understand game theory with insights into: • The history of the discipline made popular by John Nash, the mathematician dramatized in the film A Beautiful Mind • The role of social behavior and psychology in this amazing discipline • How important game theory has become in our society and why