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Mythology

Tales' category of mythology contains some of the oldest written texts in history. The mythology books will take you on adventurous journeys through ancient worlds of brave heroes and great gods of the past. Our collection covers myth from all around the world. You can find stories about the Vikings’ Norse gods and sorceresses, but you can also dive into the legendary and heroic tales of Ancient Greece. You can also get wiser on Ancient Egypt and it’s gods and pharaohs. Finally you will find mythology books about Ancient Japan with descriptions of its traditions and customs. Get ready to be inspired by the stories of the past.
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  • by Vilhelm Gronbech
    £24.99

    Vilhelm Grønbech was a preeminent professor of the history of religion at the University of Copenhagen in the early twentieth century. His vast breadth of knowledge of world cultures and religions had profound effect on Danish academic thought, and in The Culture of the Teutons, Grønbech turns his keen analysis toward his own culture, that of Germanic Europe.Grønbech draws upon a rich panoply of sources in the Norse sagas, legal rulings, and historical figures both living and mythological to deliver for us a compelling thesis of the tribes that harried Rome, of the Viking Age, of pagan rituals and later widespread adoption of Christianity as much more than the sum of bloodthirsty plundering, as less charitable historians have condemned them. Instead, we delve into a culture alien to that of Tacitus or the Greeks, misunderstood for hundreds if not thousands of years. In seeming contradiction, the pagan worldview is foreign compared to our own today, or to the culturally imperialistic Romans who documented their "barbarian" foes, yet one cannot be truly estranged from his own ancestors. The genius of The Culture of the Teutons lies in Grønbech's ability to weave together what at first glance appear polar opposites, but in reality are inexorably linked.The various Germanic tribes of Europe, the Teutons, place unshakeable value on honor, family, and religion to create a society perplexingly carnal yet sophisticated, advanced yet close to nature. And nowhere is this clearer than in their settlement of inhospitable lands such as Iceland or the Faroe Islands, in which they brought order to a seemingly untamable environment. The impact of the peoples of Northern Europe on world history today is so vast no amount of spilled ink can pay it justice.Antelope Hill Publishing is proud to bring this expansive tome back into the limelight for a modern English-speaking audience, now complete with a substantial glossary, index, and hundreds of footnotes to confer important cultural context that would have been assumed common knowledge to its intended Danish audience. Volume I, published in 1909, focuses particularly on the cultures of honor and revenge, the clan system and lineage, and the cycle of life.

  • by S. R. Young
    £13.49

    The Ricketts' Poltergeist at Hinton Ampner chronicles one of England's most famous hauntings. Between 1765 and 1777, Mary Ricketts and her family endured strange disturbances in their Hampshire home. Rattling sounds, phantom footsteps, and ghostly apparitions plagued the Ricketts night and day. Neighbors offered explanations about smuggled treasure and past murders, even a monkey skull was presented as evidence, but no ordinary cause could explain the bizarre events. This book compiles six historical records of the case, including contemporary letters, diary entries and scholarly commentary. It presents the fullest account of the haunting ever published, allowing readers to evaluate the mystery and weigh possible explanations. For enthusiasts of British ghosts and haunted houses, this book provides a compelling and chilling tale.

  • by S. R. Young
    £17.99

    This Cornish folklore collection features lesser known writings on Cornish popular beliefs and superstition. Ranging from Robert Hunt's forgotten letters in Athenaeum on witches and pixies riding horses to Samuel Cornish foolishly whistling in a mine, it offers a fascinating look into Victorian and Edwardian perspectives on magical and uncanny beliefs in Cornwall. With pieces both scholarly and fanciful, Piskies, Ghosts and Conjurers revives long-forgotten voices and stories, capturing a pivotal moment when old traditions still lingered but were swiftly vanishing. The collection is rounded off with Dawson Scott's 'The Fairies in Cornwall', an essay written in the 1920s for the Fairy Investigation Society.

  • by S. R. Young
    £14.49

    Forget the ghostly rider - it's time for the horse to take center stage. This collection features mysterious equine spirits from around the world, but especially from Britain and Ireland. Here you'll find tales of spectral steeds galloping without riders, as well as horse spirits and supernatural shape-shifting horses. Meet Ireland's deadly Yalla Horse, the White Devil of California, and the elusive white horse of South Africa. Learn, too, about England's mischievous brag and colt-pixy: horse shapechangers that belong as much to the realm of fairy as to that of phantoms. These stories - some fictional folktales, some reported facts, some glorious misunderstandings - cover a range of uncanny equine encounters. But the message is clear: if you hear ghostly hoofbeats in the night, don't stand around waiting for the horse to appear. Your best bet is to run for dear life!

  • by David Palin
    £12.99

    Wander into the mystical, wolf-inhabited forests that inspired the Brothers Grimm. Here, an unwelcoming town seals for itself an eternal fate - a curse that only a mysterious outsider can lift.

  • by Teresa Praauer
    £15.49

    An unveiling of the presence of captivating figures and creatures throughout history. In this gripping philosophical and cultural exploration, Teresa Präauer sets out to investigate figures of transformation, transmission, and translation-across languages, cultures, genres, media, species, and spaces. Hybrids, chimeras, monsters, and liminal creatures of all sorts inhabit these pages, as indeed they do the pages of the cultural archive from Antiquity and the Middle Ages to the present day: everything from the harpies, ape-men, and cynocephali that inhabit the edges of medieval maps and taxonomies to the Krampuses and Furries that roam through Alpine villages and convention centers today. Yet these chimeras are not aberrations; rather, they reveal an essential truth about culture and artistic expression.   What emerges in Becoming Animal is a kaleidoscopic image of culture as the constant probing of the limits of the sayable, as an unending process of attempting to capture in words and symbols that which cannot be pinned down.

  • by Jesse Calder
    £10.49

  • Save 14%
    by Simon J. Bronner
    £73.49

    The chapters in this collection examine the impact of Soviet-era folklore studies and ethnology on past and present Europe and the world.

  • Save 24%
    by Puloma Ghosh
    £18.99

    "Mouth is an eerie, uncanny debut collection of speculative stories that moves across time and place, blurring the lines of conventional reality"--

  • by Corinne Bonnet
    £78.99

    "From Greece to Palmyra, Tyre to Babylon, the names of the gods reveal their fields of competence and action. Through the study of divine names, the twelve chapters of this book unfold a gallery of portraits that reveal the changing aspects of the divine throughout the ancient Mediterranean"--

  • by Arthur W. Pinero
    £27.99

    The Second Mrs.Tanqueray is an unchanged, high-quality reprint of the original edition of 1894.Hansebooks is editor of the literature on different topic areas such as research and science, travel and expeditions, cooking and nutrition, medicine, and other genres. As a publisher we focus on the preservation of historical literature. Many works of historical writers and scientists are available today as antiques only. Hansebooks newly publishes these books and contributes to the preservation of literature which has become rare and historical knowledge for the future.

  • by Finley Peter Dunne
    £29.99 - 30.49

  • by W. R. S. Ralston
    £36.99

  • by Clive L Gilson
    £23.49 - 27.49

  • by Barbara Siwik
    £18.99

    Das große Babylon hat kürzlich das Königreich Juda besiegt und viele Judäer in die Gefangenschaft geführt. Nun steigt auch für die Eroberer am Horizont der Geschichte die Bedrohung durch die Perser auf. Das babylonische Heer ist deshalb in den tributpflichtigen Provinzen unterwegs und zwingt taugliche Männer in den Kriegsdienst.Die Stadt Betulia widersteht den Babyloniern und wird belagert. Um die Einwohner zu retten, nimmt die junge Witwe Jehudit die Geschicke ihrer Stadt in die eigenen Hände. Durch ihr kluges Vorgehen bringt sie das Großreich Babylon zum Sturz.Oft ist es die Kraft der Schwachen, die die Weltgeschichte bewegt!

  • by Rudolph Kremer
    £25.99

    Die wahrsagerische Befragung der Götter war ein alltäglicher Bestandteil der römischen Religion. Im Allgemeinen waren die antiken Römer mit vielen Divinationsformen vertraut, die auch heute noch praktiziert werden, wie das Pendeln, das Handlesen oder das Schriftorakel.Dieses Buch bietet eine systematische Betrachtung aller religiösen und weltlichen Arten der Wahrsagung, die im alten Rom bekannt waren. Die Berücksichtigung soziohistorischer und literarischer Kontexte macht dem Leser das Phänomen römischer Wahrsagung verständlicher und ermöglicht Bezüge zur Gegenwart.

  • Save 15%
    by Shona Kinsella
    £10.99 - 15.49

    Readers of Sistersong by Lucy Holland, Cast Long Shadows by Cat Hellisen and The Pendragon Cycle by Stephen Lawhead wil love this fantasy tale of folklore and myth from Scotland.When Brigit is faced with a forced marriage to Aengus, god of Summer, she flees into the highlands in search of the Cailleach, the Queen of Winter. There, she hopes to learn how to live on her own terms, without the need for a man to speak for her, but can she persuade the Cailleach that she is worthy? Caught between two gods and finding an unlikely ally in the Fae witch, Nicnevin, Brigit will be tested to her limits and beyond.FLAME TREE PRESS is the imprint of long-standing Independent Flame Tree Publishing, dedicated to full-length original fiction in the horror and suspense, science fiction & fantasy, and crime / mystery / thriller categories. The list brings together fantastic new authors and the more established; the award winners, and exciting, original voices. Learn more about Flame Tree Press at www.flametreepress.com and connect on social media @FlameTreePress

  • Save 15%
    by Horatio Clare
    £10.99

    Horatio Clare re-tells six myths and legends of Wales'' celebrated regions of Pembrokeshire and Gwynedd. These brilliantly written short stories bring to life the extensive history and supernatural mystery that resides in these beautiful landscapes. Each story is illustrated by Jane Matthews.

  • Save 14%
    by Sarah Clegg
    £9.49

  • by Fabienne Siegmund
    £20.49

    Von West nach Ost, von Baba Jaga bis Rapunzel.Entdecken Sie die Macht der Gletschergeister der Alpen, erkunden Sie mit einem verliebten Mann die japanische Unterwelt und finden Sie ein Mädchen mit langen Haaren am Great Barrier Reef.In neue Gewänder gekleidet finden Sie gewiss Ihr Lieblingsmärchen, mal eindeutig, mal versteckt. Dazu schenkt Ihnen die Illustratorin Lara Dusch noch bezaubernde kleine Einblicke und weckt die Neugier auf jede einzelne Geschichte.Die Kraniche entführen Sie in ihrem vierten Kurzgeschichtenband in die vielseitige Welt der Märchen.Mit Gastbeiträgen von Christina Löw, Diana Menschig, Katrin Minert, Bernhard Stäber, Carsten Steenbergen und Hannah Thüring

  • Save 10%
    by Luna McNamara
    £8.99

    Every page is a breathless, swoonworthy adventure' Roshani Chokshi, bestselling author of The Last Tale of the Flower Bride'An enthralling tale of adventure, romance, and star-crossed lovers' Sue Lynn Tan, bestselling author of Daughter of the Moon Goddess'Evocative and lyrically spun, Luna McNamara's Psyche and Eros is a pure delight' Rebecca Ross, #1 internationally bestselling author of A River EnchantedA stunning, exciting and hotly-anticipated feminist retelling of one of the greatest love stories in Greek mythology!The greatest love story ever told...Born into an era of heroes, a prophecy claims that Psyche - Princess of Mycenae - will defeat a monster feared even by the gods themselves. Rebelling against society's traditions, she spends her youth mastering blade and bow, preparing to fulfil her destiny. But she is soon caught up in powers beyond her control, when the jealous Aphrodite sends the God of Desire, Eros, to deliver a fatal love-curse. The last thing Eros wants is to become involved in the chaos of the mortal world, but when he is pricked by the very arrow intended for Psyche, he is doomed to love a woman who will be torn from him the moment their eyes meet. Thrown together by fate, headstrong Psyche and world-weary Eros will face challenges greater than they could have ever imagined. And as the Trojan War begins and the whole of the heavens try to keep them apart, will they find their way back to each other... before it's too late?Luna McNamara's exquisitely written debut will appeal to fans of Madeline Miller, Jennifer Saint and Susan Stokes-Chapman.

  • by Emilie Kip Baker
    £14.49

    Originally published in 1913, "Stories of old Greece and Rome" is a remarkable book that opens the door to the captivating world of mythology. Whether you're a mythology enthusiast or someone looking to explore these timeless tales for the first time, this book is an excellent choice. It brings the myths of Pandora, Hercules, Oedipus, Mercury, and Jupiter to life in a way that's both entertaining and educational.This new edition, printed in large characters for a comfortable reading, is wonderfully illustrated with fine art classics paintings.

  • by Matti Charlton
    £9.99

    Discover the hilariously revamped universe of "Woke Fairy Tales" by Matti Charlton, where your favorite fairy tales undergo a modern metamorphosis, emerging through a lens of inclusivity, empathy, and social justice. Imagine a Little Red Riding Hood rooted in camaraderie, not deceit, and a Hansel and Gretel adventure teaching kindness and self-reliance.From King Arthur's relentless pursuit of equality to the collaborative and compassionate ecosystem inhabited by Goldilocks and the bear family, each tale ingeniously reincorporates today's crucial societal themes into the age-old narratives we all know and love. Charlton guides readers on an exhilarating journey through magical realms and enchanted forests, introducing them to a vibrant tapestry of characters from diverse backgrounds, each navigating the contemporary issues of gender identity, discrimination, and sustainability with grace and humor.Step into a world where the golden threads of acceptance, understanding, and respect weave a rich and hopeful tapestry of stories that celebrate diversity in all its forms. This isn't just a book; it's an empowering experience, fostering a culture ripe with empathy and shared adventures, inspiring readers to envision a world where differences are not just tolerated but joyously celebrated. Get ready to be both entertained and enlightened as Charlton masterfully combines humor and deep empathy, turning familiar tales into a compelling beacon of hope, unity, and joy.Prepare yourself for a transformative read; a narrative powerhouse that injects hilarity and profound understanding into classics, offering not just stories but a vision of a world steeped in respect and mutual understanding. The time is now to dive into "Woke Fairy Tales," where each page turn promises laughter, learning, and an open invitation to a more inclusive and understanding society - one reimagined fairy tale at a time. Don't just read a book, become part of a movement; grab your copy and join the adventure toward a brighter, kinder world.

  • by Jacob Zappey
    £15.49

    This is the second volume of the North West Mythology series. In this volume, the wild local stories are all investigated. These stories involve firsthand encounters after thorough research followed by more wild speculation. Washington seems to have an almost unlimited supply of these types of stories. After hearing feedback from the first book, the most requested thing was more firsthand encounters. Volume 2 delivers on this request. This book is packed with longer stories and even more, custom-made art by hand-picked artists. This volume also features pictures taken at the locations. If you are a fan of the paranormal, occult, legends, or mythology, this book has something for you. This book features stories on sasquatch, haunted ships, curses, cult activity, and many more wild tales around Western Washington. All these locations are waiting to be investigated by intrepid readers or just enjoyed in the comfort of your own home. Either way, I guarantee an interesting read. Part of the proceeds of the first book was used to launch a new website for readers to report their own legends and encounters, stay up to date with what the author is currently working on, rent out our Bigfoot-themed vacation property, purchase merchandise, and more! Check it out at www.northwestmythology.com

  • by Henry John Doogood
    £21.49

    The Coming Day - and other poems is an unchanged, high-quality reprint of the original edition of 1862.Hansebooks is editor of the literature on different topic areas such as research and science, travel and expeditions, cooking and nutrition, medicine, and other genres. As a publisher we focus on the preservation of historical literature. Many works of historical writers and scientists are available today as antiques only. Hansebooks newly publishes these books and contributes to the preservation of literature which has become rare and historical knowledge for the future.

  • by Paul L. Ford
    £35.49

    The History of an Untold Love is an unchanged, high-quality reprint of the original edition of 1897.Hansebooks is editor of the literature on different topic areas such as research and science, travel and expeditions, cooking and nutrition, medicine, and other genres. As a publisher we focus on the preservation of historical literature. Many works of historical writers and scientists are available today as antiques only. Hansebooks newly publishes these books and contributes to the preservation of literature which has become rare and historical knowledge for the future.

  • by Alessandro Volga
    £46.49

  • by Stefan Krauter
    £158.99

    Zum antiken Korinth gibt es zahllose Einzelstudien und Spezialuntersuchungen. Dieser Band bündeltdiese Einzelexpertisen und bezieht sie aufeinander. Gezeichnet wird so ein Panorama der römischen Kolonie und Hafenstadt, das dem aktuellen Stand der Archäologie in gleicher Weise gerecht wird wie dem der Alten Geschichte, der Stadtforschung, der Bibel- und der Religionswissenschaft. Mit quellengesättigter Tiefenschärfe nehmen die Beiträge die ganze Diversität dieses zwischen östlichem Mittelmeer und Italien liegenden Schmelztiegels in den Blick. Besonderes Augenmerk gilt der wechselseitigen Beeinflussung von Stadtentwicklung und Kultdiversität, die in Korinth eine bemerkenswerte Komplexität und Dichte erreichte. Untersuchungen zum religiösen Kosmos, zum Kaiser-, Isis- und Demeter-Kore-Kult sowie zu den frühen Christen verdeutlichen, wie Raumgestaltung und Kult in Stadt und Umland aufeinander einwirken.

  • by C. F. E. Black
    £17.49 - 24.49

  • by Tom Bates
    £13.49

    Matt Bell used to be a respected reporter in Philadelphia. These days he's a podcaster with a questionable reputation who tells stories about the back alleys and dark corners of the City of Brotherly Love. He spins tales about unsolved crimes, political misdeeds, and as he calls it, weirdness.When Matt gets a tip from a listener about cult activity among the inmates of a Western Pennsylvania prison, he knows it's a story he can't miss. Defense contractors, small town bullies, Native American folklore, and echoes from his past might make this podcast more than he can handle. Add a beautiful and motivated Ivy League professor who's researching the same events and you have the makings of one hell of a tale, my friends.As Matt says, "People need the hard news, but weird stuff pays the bills."

Mythology
Mythology is the foundation of many of today's stories, take for example the stories of King Arthur and Merlin, a well-known story that goes back to the celtic mythologies. It has fascinated many writers all around the world and with good reason. Myths take you on fascinating and sometimes even magical journeys and into the ancient worlds of the past. The mythologies build on folklore and you can learn a lot about the ancient lifestyles by reading mythology books. The themes in mythologies are often built around honor and bravery, but the tales also have their own universal moral message. 

Norse mythology books
In the Nordic countries we have a long and proud history of folk tales and some of them can be traced all the way back to the Middle Ages and even before that, to what we describe as the Norse period, where all the Scandinavian countries were connected as one and not divided into nations. The North was instead formed by many smaller societies, who lived comparatively insulated and connected to nature. Such a life could be hard and created fertile soil for folklore and the belief in supernatural creatures, which are found in many folk tales. Most of the tales were part of an oral tradition and were often handed down through many generations. The mythology tales were first written down and converted into mythology books many years after they were told for the first time. 
We cannot mention the Norse period without the Vikings. Vikings are known all over the world for their strength, ships and sometimes brutal conquests, but the Vikings were defined by so much more than that. They had for example a vivid and intriguing tradition for mythology. To the Vikings they were so much more than myths, it was their religion. The Norse religion referred to as Asatru consists of multiple gods, goddresses, brave heroes and volvas, which were strong female sorcerers and fortune tellers. If you want to find your way to get started in Nordic mythology you can find a good description and overview in Penguin Book of Norse myths - Gods of the Vikings

Greek mythology books
Some of the greatest and most famous myths are found in Ancient Greece. You might have heard about the gods Zeus and Prometheus, the goddesses Athena and Aphrodite, and the heroes Hercules and Achilles? They are just a few of the unique figures of Ancient Greek mythology. They are found in some of the greatest classics of world literature; the Iliad and the Odyssey written by Homer. At Tales you can get them as mythology books in their traditional verse form, but we would also recommend you to take a look at Stephen Fry’s interpretations of the classical tales. Fry takes the timeless classics into modern times by rewriting the mythologies in a modern, easy understandable english, but he still keeps the essence of the Ancient mythologies. You can find Stephen Fry’s Heroes and Mythos in our selection of mythological books. 

Egyptian mythology books
Another world of mythologies is found in Ancient Egypt. Here we come across Ancient gods and goddesses with faces formed as animals. One of the central gods in Egyptian mythology is the sun god Ra. Ra was the incarnation of the sun, which was the foundation of life. In Egyptian mythology we also find mummies. Mummies were the deceased faraos, who were embalmed and covered in gaze to restore them for the afterlife. The god Osiris would then help them on their way through the afterlife. The mummies were placed in their own pyramid, who would show the greatness of the faraos for the times to come. The pyramids still stand in Egypt and show the history of the past. Among our egyptian mythology books you find the book Egyptian Mythology, which has collected all the fascinating tales of Ancient Egypt and all its gods, goddesses and legendary creatures. 

Japanese mythology books 
You can also find japanese mythology books in Tales’ selection. The japanese myths are little known to people, but contain many amazing stories. You can for example find the story behind the samurais, an Ancient collection of warriors in the japanese armies. A samurai had to live up to certain virtues in order to keep his status. A samurai should both be loyal and have a high level of endurance, modesty, and honor. You could learn a lot about a country from its mythology, because it is the foundation of the country’s culture, although a lot of changes have found place since then. If you aren’t familiar with japanese mythology, we recommend you to read the Handbook of Japanese Mythology among our collection of japanese mythology books. 

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