The Unflinching Legend


Book Description

This is the legend of Eklavya, the forgotten warrior, an ordinary boy with a heart of a lion. Ekavya embarks on a journey to become the greatest archer in the history and is faced by a number of challenges. But he proves the fact that no obstacle has the power to overcome determination. Will he be able to stand against the world to carve his name in the history for eternity?




The Legend of Albert Jacka


Book Description

Our heroes can come from the most ordinary of places. As a shy lad growing up in country Victoria, no one in the district had any idea the man Albert Jacka would become. Albert 'Bert' Jacka was 21 when Britain declared war on Germany in August 1914. Bert soon enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force and the young private was assigned to 14th Battalion D Company. By the time they shipped out to Egypt he'd been made a Lance Corporal. On 26 April 1915, 14th Battalion landed at Gallipoli under the command of Brigadier General Monash's 4th Infantry Brigade. It was here, on 20 May, that Lance Corporal Albert Jacka proved he was 'the bravest of the brave'. The Turks were gaining ground with a full-scale frontal attack and as his comrades lay dead or dying in the trenches around him, Jacka single-handedly held off the enemy onslaught. The Turks retreated. Jacka's extraordinary efforts saw him awarded the Victoria Cross, the first for an Australian soldier in World War I. He was a national hero, but Jacka's wartime exploits had only just begun: moving on to France, he battled the Germans at Pozières, earning a Military Cross for what historian Charles Bean called 'the most dramatic and effective act of individual audacity in the history of the AIF'. Then at Bullecourt, his efforts would again turn the tide against the enemy. There would be more accolades and adventures before a sniper's bullet and then gassing at Villers-Bretonneux sent Bert home. The Legend of Albert Jacka is an unforgettable story of the bravery and sacrifice of one extraordinary soldier that takes us from the shores of Gallipoli to the battlefields of France, all brought to vivid life by Australia's greatest storyteller, Peter FitzSimons.




The Legend of Birsa Munda


Book Description

In 19th century India, deep in the heart of what is now the state of Jharkhand, the Adivasis have been leading a life of absolute misery and darkness. The colonial state, with the help of its scheming local collaborators, has cast a net of abuse and exploitation that is tightening around these Adivasis, much like a hangman’s noose does. Everything they hold dear – their land, homes, history, traditions, religion, families – has fallen victim to the grand colonial plan of building a magnificent but merciless empire for the Queen. However, when a people are all but crushed into dust and their identities threatened with a complete erasure, they erupt like a hot, angry whiplash of fire with a roaring so loud that it reverberates in the very heart of the empire and sends a frisson of fear up the spines of those in power. A fire that stokes a rebellion. And at the heart of this rebellion is the twenty-five-year-old Birsa Munda. He decides what must be done to save his community and leads the Adivasis in fighting back to reclaim their lives. A lion-hearted warrior. Healer. Spiritual guide. A forgotten hero. Based on true events, this epic tale of courage is a tribute to the life of Birsa Munda, who in his very short life, mobilized the tribal community, rebelled against forced conversions, envisioned a fairer, more just society and died fighting for it. A thrilling account that chronicles what most history books don’t mention, The Legend of Birsa Munda is the story of a subaltern tribal hero, whose contribution to India’s struggle for independence must never be forgotten.




We'll Always Have Casablanca: The Life, Legend, and Afterlife of Hollywood's Most Beloved Movie


Book Description

A Los Angeles Times bestseller A New York Times Book Review “Editor’s Choice” Selection “Even the die-hardest Casablanca fan will find in this delightful book new ways to love the movie they were certain they could never love more.” —Sam Wasson, best-selling author of Fifth Avenue, 5 A.M. Casablanca is “not one movie,” Umberto Eco once quipped; “it is ‘movies.’” Film historian Noah Isenberg’s We’ll Always Have Casablanca offers a rich account of the film’s origins, the myths and realities behind its production, and the reasons it remains so revered today, over seventy-five years after its premiere.




The Unifying Force: Star Wars Legends


Book Description

At long last, the New York Times bestselling series that launched the Star Wars saga into the next generation and into thrilling new territory reaches its spectacular finale. Side by side, Luke Skywalker, Han Solo, Leia Organa Solo, their children, and their comrades in the Galactic Alliance rally for their last stand against the enemy that threatens not only the galaxy, but the Force itself. The Galactic Alliance’s hard-won success in countering the Yuuzhan Vong onslaught has proven all too brief—and the tide has turned once more to the invaders’ advantage. Having overcome the sabotage strategies of the Jedi and their allies, the marauding aliens have pushed deeper into the galaxy and subjugated more worlds in their ruthless quest for domination. Coruscant has been remade into a Yuuzhan Vong stronghold. The remnants of the resistance are struggling to form a united front. Luke, Mara, and Jacen are missing in action. Clearly the stage is set for endgame. Now, as Han and Leia receive the chilling news that hundreds of high-ranking Galactic Alliance prisoners face slaughter in a sacrifice to the enemy’s bloodthirsty gods, Luke and his team try desperately to convince the living world of Zonama Sekot to join the Jedi’s final campaign against the Yuuzhan Vong. Yet even as they speak, a lone space station is all that stands between Alliance headquarters on Mon Calamari . . . and wave after wave of ferocious enemy forces waging their most decisive assault. At the same time, the Jedi’s alliances throughout the galaxy are being tested—and the chances of victory jeopardized—by rogue factions determined to deploy the lethal weapon that will exterminate the Yuuzhan Vong . . . and perhaps countless other species. And among the Yuuzhan Vong themselves, the threat of revolt has reached a boiling point—as the oppressed underclass and powerful officials alike fear their Supreme Overlord’s mad actions will provoke the wrath of the gods. Ultimately, for both the forces of invasion and resistance, too much has been sacrificed —and too much is at stake—to ever turn back. And now, nothing can stand in the way of seizing victory . . . or facing annihilation.







Norse Legends


Book Description

Norse Legends represents an extraordinary compendium that bridges the chasm between ancient myth and modern interpretation, offering readers a diverse tapestry of tales that encapsulate the ethos of Norse mythology. This collection shines light on a broad range of literary styles, from the poetic eddas penned by Snorri Sturluson to the anonymously authored sagas that have traversed centuries. It is a testament to the enduring allure of these stories, presenting narratives filled with heroism, betrayal, and the ineffable workings of the gods. The anthology stands out for weaving together seminal pieces that have been pivotal in the resurgence of interest in Norse mythology, highlighting the manuscripts' historical significance and their impact on contemporary pop culture. The contributors, though varying greatly in time and space, share a collective heritage steeped in the Norse tradition. Snorri Sturluson, a figurehead of the Old Norse literary movement, and the anonymous storytellers who passed down oral legends through generations, bring to the pages a rich confluence of historical, cultural, and literary narratives. Their works reflect the diverse strata of Norse society, from the divine machinations of Asgard to the earthy tales of human adventurers, encapsulating a wide spectrum of moral and philosophical themes that have intrigued scholars and enthusiasts alike. Norse Legends offers readers a unique lens through which to explore the immense landscape of Norse mythology. It is an invitation to venture into a world where the line between history and myth blurs, guided by the voices of those who have shaped these narratives through millennia. For enthusiasts of mythology, scholars of ancient literature, and anyone captivated by the tales of gods and heroes, this anthology is an invaluable resource that promises to enrich one's understanding of Norse heritage. The collection serves not just as scholarly material but as a gateway to the profound and often enigmatic world of the Norse, encouraging a deeper appreciation for the art of storytelling and the enduring power of myth.










Legends of Eros


Book Description

Starik, a wanderer on the plains of Eros, is desperate to find his own path, after suffering horrendous disfigurement as a child at the hands of a murderous king. He now wears the scars of a lost man, an orphan of the world he once knew, as he travels alone amongst the islands of his world. The wanderer wears a metallic limb, gifted to him from a demented merchant, in order to forge something better of himself than the wretched beast he was becoming. By chance, as the wanderer is rescuing a distraught teenage girl, he is charged by an obese monk with a sacred prophecy to save his planet. Starik comes to realize that fate has conspired in his favour, as his quest would lead him back towards the king who stole his family, his childhood, and left him a morsel of his former self... With the assistance of a mysterious teenage girl, a blind monk, and his elusive friend, Starik will face the snow-capped mountain ranges, the deserts, and the savage Lone Sea to destroy the fortified city of Kerr for the Gods he serves.