mythology

"Sea monsters have a long history in lore and literature. Homer first wrote of them in 700 BCE. [This book] lets curious young readers explore what we actually know about this mysterious sea monster's long history. Dive into the facts behind this massive squid-like creature that was first described using the word "Kraken" in the beginning of the eighteenth century. For centuries, sailors have feared the Kraken, which they believe lurks in the ocean, waiting to pull ships beneath the surface with its powerful tentacles. Several famous writers such as Alfred, Lord Tennyson and Jules Verne have described monsters inspired by the Kraken. In this book, readers will also learn about the real creature that might have inspired the Kraken -- the giant squid"--Provided by publisher.

"This book delves into the heroes and villain from mythological beliefs from all over the world"--.

"Considering the prevalence of war throughout history, it is understandable that every ancient human society had at least one god who oversaw its workings. In spite of the numerous cultural differences among these peoples, their war-gods had certain traits in common. All were associated with fighting, weapons, victory, and courage in battle, which were and remain universal themes"--.

"The complexity and unity of nature told in the ancient tales of human cultures all around the globe typically portray a natural world filled with intricate and often little-known physical attributes that few, if any, humans can understand. In the stories of world mythology nature was indeed simultaneously all-encompassing, awe-inspiring, and potentially either beneficial or lethal"--.

The ancient Egyptians, Greeks, Romans, Chinese, Hindus, and numerous others all celebrated the beauty and purity of true love between spouses, parents and children, siblings, and friends alike. More often than not, such feelings were thought to be the gift of gods and goddesses who oversaw the process of love.

"All societies are fascinated by the phenomenon of death and its consequences for humans. In fact, most ancient societies, along with medieval and modern ones, have been captivated, at times morbidly, with death and the possible existence of an afterlife"--.

"Throughout history, all human cultures had creation stories in which one or more gods arose, often in a burst of light, from the dark depths of non-existence. That divine being then progressed to one or more acts of creation. This idea of a miraculous creation by one or multiple thinking beings is one of a few core cultural concepts-also including love, death, and war-that have long been universal to human societies"--.

"This volume is a copy of the secret notebook of zoologist Dr. Dimitros Pagonis. It details his rare and extensive knowledge of magical beasts, passed down through the centuries and now unveiled for readers of today"--Back cover.

"From New York Times bestselling author Susan Casey, an awe-inspiring portrait of the mysterious world beneath the waves, and the men and women who seek to uncover its secrets For all of human history, the deep ocean has been a source of wonder and terror, an unknown realm that evoked a singular, compelling question: What's down there? Unable to answer this for centuries, people believed the deep was a sinister realm of fiendish creatures and deadly peril. But now, cutting-edge technologies allow scientists and explorers to dive miles beneath the surface, and we are beginning to understand this strange and exotic underworld: A place of soaring mountains, smoldering volcanoes, and valleys 7,000 feet deeper than Everest is high, where tectonic plates collide and separate, and extraordinary life forms operate under different rules. Far from a dark void, the deep is a vibrant realm that's home to pink gelatinous predators and shimmering creatures a hundred feet long and ancient animals with glass skeletons and sharks that live for half a millennium-among countless other marvels. Susan Casey is our premiere chronicler of the aquatic world. For The Underworld she traversed the globe, joining scientists and explorers on dives to the deepest places on the planet, interviewing the marine geologists, marine biologists, and oceanographers who are searching for knowledge in this vast unseen realm. She takes us on a fascinating journey through the history of deep-sea exploration, from the myths and legends of the ancient world to storied shipwrecks we can now reach on the bottom, to the first intrepid bathysphere pilots, to the scientists who are just beginning to understand the mind-blowing complexity and ecological importance of the quadrillions of creatures who live in realms long thought to be devoid of life. Throughout this journey, she learned how vital the deep is to the future of the planet, and how urgent it is that we understand it in a time of increasing threats from climate change, industrial fishing, pollution, and the mining companies that are also exploring its depths. The Underworld is Susan Casey's most beautiful and thrilling book yet, a gorgeous evocation of the natural world and a powerful call to arms.".

"Delve into a world of key female figures from all over the world in this . . . compendium of goddesses and heroines. With more than [thirty] stories about goddesses and powerful women, this is a must-have introduction for young readers interested in female figures from different cultures. The . . . stories introduce famous figures from around the world, while a handy reference section is [filled] with information about the goddesses and heroines themselves"--Provided by publisher.