Books by Andrew Lang

Andrew Lang was one of the leading lights in the study of unexplained phenomena. In this collection of essays, he takes a look at the state of the study of early religion, ritual, magic, and myth. He begins by looking at science and superstition, and the dangers of allowing belief unsupported by fact to seep into science. He then discusses the origin or religion, and "loan gods," or borrowed religion, a theory advanced by E.B. Tylor. Lang then moves on to look at William Frazer's theory of the origin of the divine character of Christ. In addition, Lang discusses other topics related to early religious beliefs, including taboos and walking through fire.ANDREW LANG was born in Selkirk, Scotland, in 1844 and became an expert on a variety of topics. He translated The Odyssey and The Iliad; wrote a number of histories of Scotland; explored mythology, religion, and folklore in his writings; and authored novels, poetry, literary criticisms, and children's books. He was one of the founders of the study of Psychical Research, the scientific investigation of unexplained phenomena.

A bocan was not the only inhabitant of the spirit-world that Donald Ban encountered during his lifetime. A cousin of his mother was said to have been carried off by the fairies, and one night Donald saw him among them, dancing away with all his might.-from "Donald's Hymn"Not merely an assortment of spooky ghost stories suitable for a foggy Halloween night-though it is certainly that as well-this is a history of the ghost story told from the perspectives of mythology and anthropology. Written by one of the late 19th century's foremost experts on folklore and first published in 1897, this is an early scientific study of the occult that features some of the best-documented ghost stories from the history of humanity. The chilling case studies examine:. the deathbed of Louis XIV. the restraining hand. the wraith of the czarina. Sir George Villiers' ghost. the slaying of Sergeant Davies. the dream that knocked at the door. the lady in black. the dancing devil. and many, many more.Also available from Cosimo Classics: Lang's two-volume Myth, Ritual & Religion.Scottish journalist and author ANDREW LANG (1844-1912), the son of the sheriff-clerk of rural Selkirkshire, was educated at Edinburgh Academy, the Universities of St. Andrews and Glasgow, and Balliol College, Oxford. A contemporary and friend of Robert Louis Stevenson, he produced a stunning variety and number of volumes, including books of poetry, novels, children's books, histories, and biographies, as well as criticism, essays, scholarly works of anthropology, and translations of classical literature.

A 13th century French chantefable (a story told in alternating sections of sung verse and recited prose), concerning Aucassin, the son of the Count of Beacaire, who falls in love with Nicolette, a captive Saracen turned Christian. Interestingly, the unknown author, who is thought to have been a professional minstrel from northeastern France, mocks both epic and romance in his tale, portraying Nicolette as full of resourcefulness and Aucassin as a lovesick swain.

The roars of the hungry Minotaur came nearer and nearer - his feet could be heard thundering along the echoing floor of the labyrinth .