Mythology and Folklore Books

First off, the illustrations truly are beautiful. They're well-defined, but also allow for aesthetic..um...gorgeousness. But that's only half of it. I loved this when I was little 70% for the story and 30% for the illustrations.
It's about a fellow who just leads a simple life at home. One day he performs some magic, which makes people come to him for more magic. The only wish he will not grant is to make the village mayor czar.
So the the mayor spreads rumors about Stupid Emilien. They reach the czar, who hears that a terrible monster means to overthrow him. Neat stuff happens, everybody gets their due, there are ships and magic and a czarevna and witty comments and best of all, a moral about material possesions. I have no doubt that were it not set in Russia, it would be a classic.

When I was a kid, my dad bought this book for me. the illustrations are incredible. It has a cute little story about a rabbit with magical powers and a czar. I love this book, and I have just purchased myself another for a university fine arts project.

you won't be disapointed with this book.

:)

This book is wonderful! The pictures are gorgeous! This book is great for kids and adults of all ages and makes a wonderful book for storytellers!

This book truly brings these two highly interesting Hindu dieties to life. Kinsley clearly illustrates the various truths each deity represents within the Hindu tradition. The reader is not only left well educated about Kali and Krishna but about the rich character of the Hindu religious tradition as a whole. Perhaps the most enjoyable book I've ever read concerning Hindu religion.

I have always had trouble relating to Krisha, even though I read many books, commentaries and scriptures about Him, attended a Vaisnava temple for many months, and spent numerous hours chanting His mantras in an attempt to crack the mystery of why this Deity is so ravenously popular. I enjoyed the stories of His pastimes, and greatly appreciated the art and iconography that surrounded Him - but the deeper implications were simply lost for some reason.

This book really brought home to me WHY Krishna so captured the people's hearts, as it showed a completely different perspective on the energies inherant to His workship. While the familiar themes, of course, remained the same, Kinsley throws a new light on the matter that was fresh and much needed.

As a Shakta, though, I obviously also adored the latter studies of Kali as well. They also bring up aspects and interpretations of Her worship that are not too commonly presented in other texts.

While this book is an academic text, it is easy and enjoyable to read, and not at all dry.

I highly recommend this book to any student of Hindu religion and spirituality, anyone wondering "what's the deal with Krishna", or even "who is this Kali that everyone's talking about". Those who have a general intrest in world religions and mythology will eat this one up, too. Spiritual seekers who wish to expand their perspectives on how divinity can and is experienced by hundreds of million, and how the seeminly contradictory aspects of the divine can be embraced and adored will find this study an excellent read as well.

Kinsley's book is perhaps the most enjoyable work on Hinduism that I've ever had the pleasure to read. In it the author both explains the history of each deity and how they crystalize certain overarching truths of the Hindu worldview. The effect is both a complex understanding of Kali and Krishna's importance within Hinduism as well as a greater appreciation of Hinduism in its totality.

My son (7 yo) really enjoyed this book - the whole series is terrific.

This is a great book based on the original Arthurian legend. If i could, I'd give it more than 5 stars. Arthur is given to Merlin by Uther Pendragon and is raised by Sir Kay. When his "brother" forgets to bring his sword, Arthur...if I said anymore, it'd get carried away and I'd give away the ending.

Although the language is a little advanced for early readers, the story is very tellable. There are many threads to this story that come to life through the illustrations. The story is told in an interesting, dynamic way that gives pause for wonder, such as the conversation between Sir Ector and his son Sir Kay. Their personalities come through and we can appreciate the types of men they are. Another moment is when Merlin plans the timing for Arthur to draw the sword from the stone. When, asks Arthur. "After all have tried and failed, whenever that may be," replies Merlin.

A dynamic painting of a tournament with thundering hooves, flying pennants, and lances at the ready illustrates perfectly our idea of a medieval joust. The illustrations seem cinematic in that they always shift the viewpoint. Now we see the action from street level; in the next picture we view a crowd scene from above. We are comfortable with such shifts from movies and TV.

The illustrations evoke "chivalrous" ideas. The son, grieving that he has to leave his father's house, rises bravely to Merlin's bidding in a sequence that culminates in the "Youth Triumphant" painting, when the young Arthur raises the sword over his head. The idea of "chivalry", respect for one's elders, telling the truth, and being brave is well interwoven and are excellent topics to discuss with children.

The final picture, the crowned Arthur dressed in white and gold, holding the sword in his hands under the white blossoms of a tree, is such an archetype of the young, white hero that it verges on the comical. But I have to remember that this is a children's book, and mine will get enough of my cynical views when he's ready for it, later.

I recommend this book for 6 and up. The young ones will love to be read to, and the older ones will enjoy reading it.

This entertaining and informative guide to understanding Classical Myth is as timeless and cultivated as the myths themselves. The book even follows the tradition of several books that are considered "classics" in the Classics field (its cover image has absolutely no relevance to the text within). Unlike most of those works, this book covers many topics and myths which the author supplements with his enlightened analysis. Rightfully bound, this book is indeed a joy to read for the curious novice and the Classicist alike.

Holy Zeus! This book is the Mount Olympus of mythology books! Blow torch your ancient copies of Edith Hamilton's "Mythology", and buy this ultra-hip, MTV friendly mythology masterpiece! After reading "Symbolic Mythology", you will suddenly realize that there are good books, bad books and books by Fiore! The books by Fiore transcend the words of mere mortals. A great man once said, "It takes a God to know a God," and Fiore certainly knows his Gods!

Holy Zeus! This book is the Mount Olympus of mythology books! Blow torch your ancient copies of Edith Hamilton's "Mythology", and buy this ultra-hip, MTV friendly mythology masterpiece! After reading "Symbolic Mythology", you will suddenly realize that there are good books, bad books and books by Fiore! The books by Fiore transcend the words of mere mortals. A great man once said, "It takes a God to know a God," and Fiore certainly knows his Gods!

Eric Cross's novel, The Tailor and Ansty, depicts a wonderful old Irish couple who spend their days socializing with new and old friends, arguing and "standing to the cow" or watching over their single diary cow. This couple consists of the delightful Tailor, and his wife Ansty. Although at first, Cross's approach to introducing the reader to these people seems awkward, it also entices and draws the reader into this captivating setting. Through the Tailor's stories, none of which one may be certain are true, and Ansty's nagging, I began to feel as though I knew these people as well as Cross. I frequently had to remind myself, though, that they are no longer living.

Although my original interest in reading the novel stemmed from my person interest in my Irish ancestry, I am well convinced that anyone could find this an entertaining read. Fantastic stories are something that everyone has grown up with, and although the Tailor's may be more mature than those I personally recall at times, the stories the Tailor heartily shares are no different. I cannot avoid the fact that the novel was banned after it's original release, although I do not entirely understand why, and therefore must warn people with more conservative views on life to avoid this novel, because they may not view it in the light it is meant to be seen.

To me, the Tailor and his wife Ansty, this stereotypical Irish couple, ARE my grandparents. I loved reading this book. Cross has a real way with words. The book is incredible. And I'm the great great grandaugter (i'm not sure about how many greats there are) of the tailor. the tradition lives on in our family, the type of relationship that you can see between the tailor and ansty can still be seen in my grandparents. It's a great book for anyone intrigued by their Irish roots.

This book was originally banned in Ireland by the English. They thought the main character, The Tailor, was "sex-obsessed" and his wife, Anastasia, or Ansty, a "moron".

This is really funny to me because I caught no such traits whatsoever in these two characters! This book can easily be read in one sitting, it is so enjoyable!

The bloodthirsty Celtic epic "The Tain " clearly starts another war:Liam Mac Uistin vs Roald Dahl.This well known and loved Celtic myth is a stunning epic that tells of a quarrel between Queen Maeve of Connaught and her husband,Ailill.Maeve cannot bear being less wealthy than her husband so she tries to take the brown bull of Cooley even though she knows there will be fierce competition between her army and the Red Branch Knights of Ulster.Deviously her chief druid puts a geas(spell)on them to put them into a deep sleep so Maeve has enough time to swipe the brown bull, but Cu-Chulainn has other plans........ This adventure, told with exciting description and in great detail deserves all the praise it gets.The Tain is a fantastic read and in my opinion Liam Mac Uistin shows Roald Dahl who is BOSS!

My teacher asked me to read this book and review it but I didn't let that put me off!She has good taste in books actually!The Tain is a very exciting book with lots of gory details .It's all about our old friend Cu-Chulainn but I'll let you read the rest yourself, you'll be glad you did!

A bloody epic by the fantastic author Liam Mac Uistin. This adventure is a tale of the struggle between Maeve's army and Cu Chulainn as they fight for the brown bull of Cooley.This superb novel fuses Maeve's greed with Cu Chulainn's might.Maeve wants to be richer than her husband and so the Tain begins... The book progresses into magical twists and bloodcurdling battles and as the tale continues more and more people die and more and more magic is used. This book is so interesting you cannot put it down,for the twists and turns that Liam has produced are brilliant and we recommend this fantastic book to anyone.It especially encourages children to read and learn of the historic legends of Ireland.

Beautifully illustrated and very well written--an excellent present for any child. I bought this as a Christmas present for my friend's child. Nex Christmas I'm buying more of these books for other kids as presents. Absolutely stunning!

I am a big fan of Gennady Spirin's artwork. His FIREBIRD epitomizes classic Russian-style painting with it's ornate touches. He is a genius.

The artwork is fantastic, evocative, and gorgeous, combining a gold palette and northern winter-evening moonlit scenes, and featuring intricate folk art border illustrations. The tale is in some ways charming, including a sympathetic wolf, though there is no emotional or character development (It's more of a quick, amalgamated introduction to Russian fairytales), and it offers no lessons you'd want to impart to a child, other than: Go have adventures with a magical wolf at your back! (Also lurking in the story may be a morality tale for those in a position to run an imperialist power: Don't be afraid to buck cautious counsel and be acquisitive with regard to allies' possessions, but follow counsel when it comes to preparing for war. I sincerely doubt this is a useful lesson for your typical middle/working class kid, what with her/his lack of imperial power.) Plot synopsis: A magical, powerful wolf takes a few days out of his or her life to really help the fortunate youngest prince undertake successive adventures, culminating in the prince gaining all sorts of booty: a lovely mate, a golden-maned horse, a magical sword, kingdoms, adulation, and a spectacular peacock in a golden cage.

Love this book! I found it in a museum store and fell in love and bought it immediately. Oscar is a cat who brings to life quotes from another favorite Oscar. You'll surely find some favorite pages and smile.

These engaging tales are well translated and are a good introduction to Japanese folk literature. The spectacular treat of this book is the illustration. Naoko Matsubara is a brilliant woodblock artist. Her powerful pictures breathe authenticity into the not quite believeable, miraculous tales. Her powerful lines and radiant colors illuminate the stories carrying them into a transendient sphere .

This book has truly charming (not "cute," but very cat-like) line drawings of a cat, accompanied by quotations from Oscar Wilde that are very apposite for a cat. It's a perfect gift for occasions when you don't want JUST a card, but a full-scale book or other present is too much. I've probably given away 10 copies in the past few years, and can think of another 10 possible recipients. (Plus, it's fun to have around for yourself)

This is a well written story of two people who have come together despite the objections of one the one's people and family and the past of the other. A world has been created which at the end of the story a reader hopes to return to and questions raised on how these two such persons came together. It was a book I could not put down from the time I picked it up and I look forward to the next instalment being in print

This is a good fantasy book with heartstopping adventure and is filled with great characters, especially the main characters.

This book is set in a world where women are the warriors and hold the important positions in society. Tigh, a peace warrior and Jame, an Emoran princess, are so wonderful and fun and their affection for each other captures your heart.

The story is fast-paced and is filled with surprises. You never know which way the story's going to go next making it a lot of fun to read.

Tales of Emoria: Past Echoes is fun, magical, thought-provoking and just plain enjoyable. I also found out this book has been nominated for the 2000 Tiptree Award. Way to go Mindancer.

I was hesisitant to read this book when it was being posted in parts on the web, but I decided to jump in one day, and have been a fan of Jame and Tigh ever since.

Wizards, Warrirors, and Illusions, combined with the love and devotion of the two characters to each other makes Past Echoes a thoroughly interesting read.

Michael LaFargue says the Tao Te Ching is the former even though it's often treated as the latter.

According to LaFargue (my paraphrase), there are two ways to read the Tao Te Ching, just as there are two ways to read any text.

The first -- the one taken by any number of readers of Lao-Tzu, including some "translators" whom LaFargue doesn't name and I won't either -- is to point your face at it and sort of see how it makes you, like, _feel_, you know?

The second, and the one LaFargue favors, is to place the text in the context for which it was written and try to understand what its writer or speaker would have intended by it.

This is the approach LaFargue uses in order to produce his excellent (and thoroughly annotated and cross-referenced) translation of the Tao Te Ching. He also, in an extremely helpful essay on hermeneutics, discusses this approach at length and explains the context in which he believes the text to have been written.

I won't try to discuss every topic he covers, but one extremely helpful point is his identification of much of the text as what he calls "compensatory wisdom." On his view, some of the Tao Te Ching's pithy sayings are intended not as metaphysical speculation but only as counters to contrary human tendencies. (When we say that "a watched pot never boils," we surely do not mean that if you sit there and watch a pot, it will literally _never_ boil. We are merely warning against a common tendency to rush things that can't be rushed.)

This seems to me to be right on the money, and indeed to be pretty widely applicable to Oriental religious literature including the Bible. It is the right way, for example, to read the book of Proverbs, and some of Jesus's sayings from the Christian New Testament as well.

LaFargue's volume, then, may be of interest both to readers of Lao-Tzu and to readers of the Jewish and Christian Bibles. In discussions of "biblical inerrancy" and such, it is too often forgotten that the Bible is ancient Near Eastern literature and therefore not written to modern Western European standards. Inerrantists and religious "liberals" alike could surely profit from greater appreciation of this point; many apparent contradictions just disappear (and so do some theological creeds) once we understand that the text isn't _always_ offering us metaphysical principles.

In any event, widespread reading of LaFargue's book might spare us another spate of ill-considered screeds on "the Tao of" this, that, and the other thing. What a relief that would be.

The three way comparison format (english translation, cultural translation, and reasoning for translation based on historical and linguistic fact) and the dry, reserved language give this book the cut to access unique tumblers in the most difficult of locks. LeFargue and his students (he mentions them adding their understanding) paint meaning and understanding like a watercolor, with each layer's contribution plainly visible, rather than the masking qualities of psuedo-scientists' day-glo acrylic or the holistic turtles' enamel pastels. Triangulating one's own understanding from a single source is an unusual treat. For a rational and restrained mind the fit is magic and the bolt of suspicion is thrown back (or a rough slide for some). All the same its the only book in its genre I've been able to wholly admire.

As an anthropologist, constantly confronted with hermeneutics and the interpretation of culturally unknown texts and social situations and as a former student of chinese language and philosophie I can only strongly recommend this book. It is -by far- the best translation and interpretation I have ever read. Crucial to the the understanding of teh tao te qing is a good and profound explanation of the historical and social setting of the work and its probable authors. Lafargue has achieved this wonderfully. Strongly recommended...