Mythology and Folklore Books

This is simply a case where the best-kept secret is one that can and must be told. Robert Adam's has the good fortune of having a wily grandfather disguised as half-baked old man and parents who full well understand the importance of allowing their son to suffer through the unknown as he comes to terms with life's complexities and learns to listen to the only real truth--that which comes from within. 'The Sun Singer' by Malcolm Campbell is the Hero's Journey par Excellence! Grandfather unexpectedly passes away, leaving Robert Adams holding a bagful of mystery. Mom and Dad have answers, but they know it will mean nothing until Robert comes to terms with this mystery on his own, as we all must do at different times in our lives. This magical coming-of-age tale takes the reader through a labyrinth as a teenage boy/man sets off into the cosmic dimensions of the unknown to redeem his grandfather's kingdom and rightfully claim his position in life as a true leader. What I'd give to have Malcolm Campbell's imagination, wisdom, wit, and mastery of the written word. Buy it, steal it, borrow it from your local library--one way or another, get hold of 'The Sun Singer' and tell your friends.

The Sun Singer is a book of calculated splintered realities. The line between the real and the metaphysical is blurred through the eyes of a coming-of-age teenager whose psychic ability mirrors that of his precious grandfather. His grandfather holds the secrets of a world that co-exists with and within us here on earth. The plot of the book is revealed shortly after he is informed of a family trip to Glacier National Park for reasons that have been unclear to his parents, but because of the grandfather's "gifts" no one questions this apparent pilgrimage and they faithfully bring the teenage boy to meet his destiny.

Mr. Campbell's prose is burgeoning with all manner of intricate facts providing a most accurate description to the background through which the characters are exposed. It is obvious the author is an outdoorsman and his ornithological knowledge is deep and concise with each description of any winged creature that he brings to the forefront.

Each character that our unintentional hero meets places another piece of the mystery into play ever so much as to beg to want to ask even more questions. We breathe along with the main character, we feel his confusion and innocent bravery as he takes on a medieval persona fighting soldiers and conjuring power from a magical wooden staff that has been given to him, another legacy of his grandfather. The maze of tunnels seem to be a metaphor for the possibilities or alternate paths that one can choose, having to take the responsibilities for choosing such paths. If Faulkner wrote science fiction I would envision it would read much like this novel. I could easily envision a screenplay that would surpass "The Golden Compass" in scope and imagination. The only criticism that I can offer is that the language of this teenage boy seems a bit seasoned and older than his years, but I've been critiqued for the same reasons myself in my first novel.

I found myself running to Google latin words and phrases and noticed a few new words being added to the English language such as clairaudiently that means the hearing of things metaphysically through different realities. Mr. Campbell also employed the use of split columns that expressed the separate lines of Sonny's or Osprey's or Robert's (the same boy depending on what universe and who he was with) thinking at the same time, again the constant alluding to parallel posturing within the writing itself. Are you intrigued yet? The road to and from the magical universe that Osprey's (I like that name it was my college's mascot) is loaded with surprises and revelation. There are a cast of characters that have distinct and immediate personality and the rapid movement of the plot requires one's concentration to keep it all in order. This is not fluffy pulp fiction. The subject matter is fantasy but it's presentation is far from it. It is a very structured intelligent novel, each word placed exactly where the author intends and this author intends to stretch the rules, so stay strapped in and bring along your bookmarker-it is not a book to be read quickly.

Robert Adams has come home. Or has he?

In the Worlds of Multiple Dimensions, just where is home? On a journey into destiny, is 'home' the beginning or the end of the journey? Or does 'home' usurp such limiting boundries as time and space?
Whatever is the Ultimate Reality, traveling the journey with Robert has opened new horizons of possibility and wonderment for me regardless the answer.
The Worlds of The Sun Singer give credence to the eloquent words of Richard Bach in "Illusions" . . . "Magic is only magic until we understand it."
I will take more journeys with Robert Adams as he has now taken residence in my imagination. The Sun Singer isn't just a book, it's an enlightening. It's a pass to worlds beyond the mundane of closed thought and mediocrity. Perhaps 'home' is in the unopened doors of imagination after all.

Kudos to Mr. Campbell for daring to go through the doors found at the outer reaches of the mind and the Universe.

Susan Haley, Author

"Rainy Day People"
"Fibers In The Web"

The plotline of Malcolm R. Campbell's book is a cross between the movies, Back to the Future and Dragonslayer. If you enjoyed those two classics, you will like The Sun Singer. Robert Adams is a teenager with a mission. He has spent the first fifteen years of his life having strange dreams, living with the nickname, The Soothsayer of West Wood Street, and reveling in the fantastic tales of heroism and adventure told by his grandfather. When his grandfather passes away, Robert's family takes a vacation to the mountains of the Western U.S., and the dreams come to life. Robert's grandfather had been traveling back in time, entering through a portal in a secluded cabin high up in the mountains. The story concerns Robert's adventures when he steps through the portal. As in Back to the Future, Robert's actions in an earlier time can affect events in the present time. The previous era transforms Robert into a young hero called Osprey who battles unknown entities in a primitive setting much like that in Dragonslayer.

This is a fine effort for a first novel. Mr. Campbell has captured the essence of the fantasy genre for young adults and older adults, too. As in most successful modes of entertainment, the author borrows a few details and adds many original ones of his own. The heady brew offers a fantastic tale with believable characters. You will be particularly impressed with the way the story flashes in and out of the two time zones. This concept makes the story seem more real to grownups. Unlike many stories of this type, you don't have to be a teenager obsessed with the fantasy genre to enjoy this book. It has just enough character development and plot conceits grounded in present-time reality to satisfy many ages and types of readers. The only element limiting a five-star status is the book's copyediting: the inconsequential typos are a little too numerous. Malcolm R. Campbell has introduced characters worth visiting again. All you fantasy readers out there will be salivating for a sequel!

I met Malcolm over myspace, got to know him personally through many long e-mails, and finally read his fine novel. Reading The Sun Singer brought me back to my childhood days, when I enjoyed reading C.S Lewis and The Neverending Story. Malcolm has a fine eye for detail, colors and sounds, which allows for a very visceral experience of Robert's adventures through parallel universes. His attentive research of birds, animals, science, and many other things gives his book a realistic balance. I wouldn't be surprised if one day this lovely first book turns into a wonderful magical movie in the genre of Harry Potter. Great read!

This is an amazing collection of tales with female protagonists. I grew up on this book and I've loved it ever since I heard the first story. I finally bought my sisters and their daughters a copy since my sisters also grew up on it. We lost the family copy, probably when I was in grade school, most likely to a teacher who saw the value of such a book. Its got tales from various cultures, and various themes. Its not always just the love of a man that she's fighting for, which rocks. I love this book!

I remembered this collection of world tales from my own youth and was pleased that it was just as vibrant and fun as I remembered. Although the tales center around female protagonists, children and adults of any gender can enjoy the action, wit, and surprising tales featured here.

My 8 yo daughter has been getting a little sarcastic as of late. I turned to stories to try to remedy the situation. Tatterhood has opened up her world with strong, often humorous, female role models. I am so glad I bought the book! My 6 yo son and my husband and I enjoy it as well.

This is one of the best collections of fairy tales featuring strong and enterprising hereoines. It includes stories from may different cultures, but all feature clever, resourceful women who overcome adversity. some of the stories were already familiar to me, but many I'd never read before. If you thought all fairy tale heroines were ninnies like Cinderella and snow White, you need to read this excellent book and discover women like Kate Crackernuts, Clever Manka, Sea Girl, and the Three Strong Women.

My mother purchased this book for me as a very young girl, along with other collections of short-stories, and I remember being enchanted with it. The legends are fascinating, although I don't think the fact that they were all about young women and girls ever crossed my mind (an observation that leads me to believe this book would be good for boys, as well).

I recently re-read the stories, and was delighted. I remember being confused as a girl, since the places, people, and customs are mostly foreign, and so I wouldn't recommend these books to any one younger then six. And even then, with the lack of pictures, it's great for adults to read to kids (no matter what age, within reason). Worth the money.

I just recently finished this book and I have to say that yet again Peter David has thoroughly engrossed me in the story and the narrative. Peter Pan is fun again and its just an amazingly fun read and you dont know where its going but your along for the ride and it is a blast.

I dont care if your young or if your old, this is definitely a book for all ages. This book proves to me yet again, anything Peter David writes is always top notch and I will read it. If you want some suggestions I would recommend his Sir Apropos of Nothing series, the Knight Life book series, and most definitely his Star Trek New Frontier book line-and these are just a few of his works that are brilliant. Check them out!

I picked my copy up from Peter David himself in New York. Truely a magnificent book. Every bit as fun as Harry Potter and twice as smart. It works on so many different levels. David explored concepts that J.M. Barrie never even dreamed of. Tigerheart is packed with detail without feeling bogged down, creating a world that the adventurous in everyone will want to be a part of. I hope it gets the attention it deserves.

While reading Tigerheart I experienced many things. I saw the world through reasonable but incorrect explanations that made more sense than anything in the real world. I dealt with the psychiatric implications of "The Boy" to a child. I also nearly curled into a fetal position when misfortune struck Paul's family. That was all in the first 100 pages.

I was reasonably interested in the plot summery of the book and found I liked what I read inside much more. I can't explain it without giving too much away, but it's one of the most depressingly noble quest I've read in a book. Tigerheart is a beautiful blend of both the good and evil that exists in Paul's world, a character who is surprisingly reasonable for his age, sympathetic, and just plain likable.

I give it a 4 out of 5, only because it switches moods so frequently that there is no safe stopping point. Any interruptions were completely unbearable, I just wanted to be rid of my world until I was finished with Paul's world. Though a welcome change from many books I've read lately, the level of addiction I experienced was probably a bit unhealthy.

Good book with a "re-imagining" of the Peter Pan with an interesting twist.

I enjoyed it, even though it is written in a Narrator form that I usually find boring.

I would recommend this to anyone that has enjoyed any of the other Peter Pan stories (movies, books, whatever).

There is nothing better than a weekend with lots of reading time, especially when the books you spend your time reading turn out to be terrific. I don't give out 5 stars to books very often. I've read 54 books this year, and Tigerheart by Peter David is the 5th book I consider a 5-star read. It is based on Barrie's Peter Pan, but it's not a sequel or a prequel - more of Peter Pan in an alternate universe. A re-telling of the story. David was gutsy to take on one of the most beloved children's stories of all time - it could have failed in a big, big way. Fotunately for him, it works, and works brilliantly.

This book is everything you could possibly want in a novel: adventure, magic, love, danger, truth, tragedy, and triumph. The best thing is that this is a children's novel in the same way that the Harry Potter books are "children's books." By which I mean that anyone who loves a good story will appreciate this book.

Tigerheart is the story of Paul Dear. Paul's father has regaled him with stories about The Boy and his magical land, Anyplace, where The Boy fights pirates and saves Indian princesses and has a pixie for a sidekick. When Paul's new baby sister dies, his mother changes, and Paul is determined to find a new baby sister for her - in Anyplace. His adventures with The Boy, Fiddlefix, Gwenny, the White Tiger, and the Vagabonds demand more of him than he ever imagined, and make more of him than he ever thought he could be.

After reading the first chapter, I knew I wanted to read this aloud to the kids, but I needed to read it quickly so I could comment on the book's forum for Del Rey Books. I will definitely be coming back to it in the next few months so that I can share it with the kids. The author's style is not as much narrator as it is storyteller, complete with asides and advice to the readers. This is all done delightfully tongue-in-cheek, and makes for many laugh-out-loud moments.

I hope that this won't be Peter David's only adventure in Anyplace.

Dr. Pinkola Estes' take on the importance of folklore in the development of the female physche is something that I believe every young female needs. She explains how our modern day society has lost some of its connection with the world around us and how old folklore was originally designed to help give life lessons. Unfortunately, the days of sitting around the hearth and exchanging stories is long past. Its sad to think of how much we have lost with the advances we have made...There is alot of scientific jargon, but it is a very interesting and enlightening read.

I just want to say that this material is as valuable for the male as it is for the female. Just as the stories are timeless and archetypal, so are the messages contained within. I'd recommend WWRWW to anyone interested in inner work and understanding, and also the Theatre of the Imagination (two volumes) audio series, which doesn't suffer from the perception that it is for women (only).

Clarissa Pinkola Estes has a warm vibrant personality. As she explores beautiful myths and fairytales, you can sink into the beautiful space of childhood dreams and wonder. Her voice is soothing and comforting and her main message seems to be the uncovering of the feminine archetype that brings creativity and nourishment to a woman's life.

At times I have thought that until you have used the idea of "bones" in a poem, you have not reached into the depths of yourself and found that essential element that births you as a poet. This almost represents an indestructible part of yourself and Clarissa Pinkola Estes brings a new understanding to the idea of "bones" used in mythology.

The Mistaken Zygote idea seems more like the "story of the stork" and doesn't seem to explain why you may find yourself in a family where you feel out of place or never at home. A few teachers who focus on archetypes seem to think that you are placed in family of your choosing. So, both ideas are ways to explain what we can't possibly know. I think that "feeling different or like you came from a different planet" has more to do with a conflict of personality or the difference between being an introvert or extrovert. Since most people seem to be extroverts, introverts can sometimes feel out of place or different.

Some of the topics include:

The Story of La Loba
The Soul's Need for Expression
Women's Intuition
Tips for Reconnecting to Your Instinctual Nature
The Importance of Feelings
Rhythm and Relationship
Rage and Release
Forgiveness

Clarrisa Pinkola Estes discusses how it is possible to channel lust into poetry, gardening or other creative endeavors. For women who feel they have been "over domesticated" or restricted in younger life, she gives ideas for breaking free from other people's restrictive ideas. This is not done without much consideration (and also includes releasing the rage you feel) and this is not an encouragement to be rebellious or destructive. Instead, this idea is more to nurture the inner wildness of a woman that breaks her free into her deepest life expression and most fulfilling creative path.

The mysterious stories, memories from childhood and advice about how to enhance creativity felt very true, honest and encouraging. The message is one of nurturing your soul and being patient with yourself so you can flower and your heart can open so you can bless the world. I had to smile when Clarissa says she is friendly, but not totally tamed. If you know the wild beauty of being able to express your inner creativity or you want to experience this freedom, this classic study of the wild woman archetype may encourage a renewal of your life purpose.

~The Rebecca Review

Every story a woman ever needed to hear is there. You will be swept up by the warm, rich quality of Dr. Estes' voice. Her analysis of the stories clean the windows of your mind and give you fresh tools to unlock gates and open the windows to your soul. This is one though that you still want to have in print!

Although this audio cassette claims to be abridged, which it is, it also contains information not printed in the book, which to me seems odd. This is the only reason I retain both book and audio cassette.

Theatre of the Imagination (Volumes I and II), to which I give 5 stars, gives fuller treatment to the stories.

Joseph Campbell has been my mentor for years. He brings our consciousness to another level with this one!!!

I know, I know, everyone will point to Campbell's astonishing Hero with a Thousand Faces, and his 4-part book series on different traditions, but I love this book. I think it's because it is Campbell in his later years, synthesizing all he has learned over decades of study, and applying it to the future. It also is one of the more accessible Campbell books in terms of folks who don't usually read high-end academic works being able to follow it without re-reading every other paragraph. (That is NOT a criticism -- Joseph Campbell packed a lot into each of his brilliant thoughts). Another book I'd recommend is the biography on him, "Fire in the Mind."

Reading Campbells' work can indeed be an enlightening experience and "The Inner Reaches of Outer Space" is no exception...mostly. The book however strays dangerously close to the "New Age" in several places. In an early chapter he presents Kants' idea of a priori knowlage as proven fact (it is far from proven). In another chapter he lapses into a discussion that sounds suspiciously like numerology (Mr. Campbell, someone as smart as you should know that there is no connection between the number of bumps on a golf ball and hindu mythology.) These minor flaws aside, it is a brilliant book and a great summation of Campbells work.

In THE INNER REACHES OF OUTER SPACE Joseph Campbell repeats some of the familiar observations of his earlier works in which he shows how certain mythic motifs can be found buried in all of the world's religious traditions. The similarities may not be easily recognized because the same motifs are usually understood and developed in different ways because of cultural differences. These repetitive motifs are called elementary ideas and in the local forms where they appear in various religions they are known as ethnic or folk ideas. As examples of elementary ideas Campbell offers the concepts of the Promised Land and the Virgin Birth. In writing about the similarities of symbols found in ancient civilizations, Campbell mentions discoveries among such diverse societies as those that existed in the Indus Valley, Mesopotamia, Egypt, China and Ireland.

Because of the great advances in learning which have become accelerated and dramatized by space exploration, Campbell points out that our old gods are either already dead or dying. The big question now is what new mythology will emerge from a modern understanding of a unified planet amidst a vast universe.

The creation of any new mythology will certainly depend in part on the contributions of art because artists will be the ones who will produce the images of the future. Those images will come from our knowledge of a constantly changing and expanding universe. Campbell writes about the connection between art and mythology with conviction, no doubt due to the long-standing influence of his wife, Jean Erdman, a well-known dancer and choreographer.

The most remarkable feature evident in THE INNER REACHES OF OUTER SPACE is the breadth and depth of the author's knowledge and understanding of mythology. Joseph Campbell led an enviable life driven by a singular passion and his writings are the best reflection of that life.

Joseph Campbell introduces us to the world of mythology and reality making the case that for most of human history, they are one in the same.

I give this book 5 stars because it is the best presentation of this type of information for laymen I have found.

His writings have brought up the argument that what is lacking in America today is an education in mythology. This is something that would not only enhance an individuals life by adding value to our culture which is in my opinion too often dismissed as empty, but also would enhance our connection with our past and our future.

Joseph Campbell has influenced many people and many creative efforts. George Lucas credits Mr Campbell with making StarWars a better movie. In fact Mr Campbell's interviews with Bill Moyers (on many PBS stations) was taped at Skywalker Ranch. I found this link indranet.com/welcometoearth having searched for information about Mr Campbell.

In addition to those seeking anthropological or spiritual information, if you enjoy magical stories like Harry Potter or science fiction stories then you will enjoy The Inner Reaches of Outer Space.

This book is truly a must-own. It is the best reference around for Cherokee myths, culture, history and more.

I recommend this book as the 'bible' of Cherokee Shamanic Wisdom, its history and that of the original author, James Mooney.

It is even more informative than the book it was based on, Myths Of The Cheroee and Sacred Formulas of the Cherokees by James Mooney.

I have purchased both books.

It seems that the latter is totally included in the former, with an informative 'bio' of James Mooney and his photo as a bonus!

James Mooney's treatise on Cherokee culture is comprehensive and quite voluminous. From his description of the Cherokee ballgame to the expose on the Cherokee Ketoowah secret society. Some people believe the Cherokees sold out in regards to land cession but this book tells the true story of the Cherokee's bitter opposition to land cession and removal. Many brothers and sisters from Tennesse to New York have Cherokee blood, this book should be a must read for them as well as anyone wanting information on the Cherokee's and their heritage, on a whole.

I read this book after reading a series of fiction books by Tom Dietz who based alot of the mythology in the books on this book. The book was fantastic both in uncovering history that would never be taught today or even referred to; and in getting someone in touch with what and how The People lived. I have a larger appreciation for simple things like perhaps why pine trees are green all year .. as well as why the Trail of Tears is something that isn't discussed in schools much anymore.

If you like reading for the sake of learning and enjoying I recommend this book.

From a perspective previous to some of our current stereoptypical thinking about native Americans. Rich in historical detail and (to me) surprising details about the Cherokee.
I particularly enjoyed the Cherokee mythology.
My thinking about native Americans is changed.

To the person who wrote a rant about the illustrations being beautiful, but why is everyone white despite the setting. The reason is the tale is told by a white author; therefore, that author can do what he/she desires. And if the audience is mostly white, then they will want characters they can relate to and identify with. Not everything has to be politically correct. Must we make all old tales PC now too?! I don't see why every tale has to be curtailed to reflect political correctness. In fact, it wasn't that way when I was a child, and I don't want it to be that way for my child either. Go live in a country where you are the minority. We don't have to cator to minorities. There is no law stating this, and not many people like it even if they are afraid of saying so for fear of being slandered.

I read a huge pile of fairy tale books in one sitting, and this by far was the best of the lot. (It made me want to watch my copy of Jean Cocteau's Beauty and the Beast) The tale is like Beauty and the Beast, Cupid and Psyche and Jim Henson's "True Prince" all rolled into one.

The illustrations are AMAZING.

The hero and heroine are strong and their love is even stronger, it was just a wonderful story to read and experience through the lovely artwork on the pages.

This book provides an original combination of the separate Beauty and the Beast and East of the Sun, West of the Moon tales. In this story, a lovely young girl marries a prince trapped, during the day, in the body of a lion. When an enchantment forces him to fly away from his beloved in the body of a dove, she sets out to find her lover once more.

Initially, I was going to begin this review with a small rant. Despite the fact that the characters in this book wear clothing, and live in palaces, of Indian or Eastern design, the people themselves are white white white. Why? Couldn't we have Grimm-like tale containing something other than the standard Caucasian skin tone? So there we go. That's my only complaint.

Onwards to my point. The illustrations in this book are a step above breathtaking. The pictures drawn by Laurel Long are so beautiful that every tiny centimeter is filled with the most delicate linework and livid colors imaginable. From the folds of the young lady's dresses to the iridescent clouds surrounding the moon at night this book is fabulously beautiful. The story itself isn't anything you haven't heard before. But even a mediocre story can be made vastly more interesting when the pictures are spectacular.

If you have any appreciation for the artwork of this genre of picture books, then you must buy this book. I have many picture books, and I thought Kraft was the best illustrator, until I saw this book. While Kraft's work is amazing and mysterious, the artwork done by Laurel Long completely blows my mind. I've never been in such awe looking at pages from a picture book. It amazes me how someone can produce this art. The detail all over the page is amazing. The whole set up with this rolling hills background to show many different things in in the distance is incredible. The story itself was interesting, but did not grab me as much as some fairy tales. But much as I love fairy tales, this is my most cherished fairy tale picture book because the artwork is the best. Don't get me wrong, I did like the story, just did not looove it. But no matter, because I am so glad I came acrossed this book due to the art, although I am glad to know the story too. Anyway, after reading this book, I looked up Laurel Long and have bought the other books she's illustrated, and she does not disappoint. Buy this book, and then buy the other two books I highly recommend by her, The Mightiest Heart and The Magic Nesting Doll, and enjoy!

An amazing story about a lady and a lion falling in love. Everyone should have a chance to read this book. This is a story that is like Beauty And The Beast and Cinderella combined. This book is one of the best books I have ever read, because the pictures can tell the whole story if you didn't have the words. This is a good book to read alone because it is good to see the details in the pictures up close. This book should have won the Caldecott Medal for 2004, but it didn't.

The book is enlightening concerning some aspects of the culture.

Prof. Ginzburg outlines in detail the information we have concerning the transformation from ancient agrarian cult to the witchcraft scare. This is not your mother's Margeret Murrey, this is done right.

Whether or not Carlo Ginzburg actually discovered evidence of shamanism in sixteenth-century Italy, in this or later books, is in part a matter of how one defines shamanism. What he undeniably found, in the seemingly unpromising records of the Inquisition, was evidence of beliefs so remote from those of official European culture as to be flatly unintelligible to the churchmen who first encountered them. Eventually, the Church courts managed to impose something resembling officially acceptable doctrines on the local population, but the process took generations, as Ginzburg is able to show from trial records.

Briefly, Ginzburg found that, in the Friuli district, there was a widespread belief that certain men and women were marked at birth as defenders against witches and demons, these being regarded mainly as the enemies of the people, their livestock, and their crops. The chosen defenders, the "Benandanti," or "good walkers," ventured forth in their dreams to do battle with the forces of evil. Those born with the mark of the Benandanti regarded themselves as good Christians, the allies of the Church. To those outside the local culture, this position was clearly nonsense; unauthorized and unsanctified supernatural power could only be Satanic in origin, and those who claimed to exercise it were, at best, dangerously deluded. In the end, if the court records are to be trusted, they persuaded even the Benandanti themselves that this was the case. At least, the "absurd" and "outrageous" testimony of self-described Benandanti fades from the records, to be replaced with conventional witch-beliefs endorsed by the Holy Office.

The official tendency, Catholic and Protestant, to lump local witch-doctors together with the witches they claimed to counter had long been recognized by historians. Ginzburg, however, discovered, and offered to surprised historians (in the original Italian edition of 1966), a stratum of belief that, when first recorded, seems to have been entirely outside the mainstream of medieval European culture. There is scattered evidence for similar concepts in other parts of Europe, and abundant evidence from other continents, but the connections and age of the beliefs in and about the Benandanti remain subjects for controversy. The demonstration that diverse local beliefs had been rendered uniform by the judicial process, and by intensive indoctrination of the "lower classes," however, remains a landmark.

As described in the "Preface to the English Edition," the Italian version rather quickly received favorable -- and some unfavorable or uncomprehending -- notice from historians of European witchcraft. It was interpreted, or perhaps misunderstoond, by Mircea Eliade, the influential figure in "History of Religions" at the University of Chicago, one of the great authorities on shamanism (and much else). Although sections had been published in English earlier, the whole book became available in English in 1983, in the present translation, from Routledge & Kegan Paul in Britain, and Johns Hopkins University Press in the U.S. I first read it a few years later, and eventually acquired a copy of a Penguin Books re-issue of 1986. (All the English-language editions seem to differ only in cover art, besides the name of the publisher.) I have re-read it from time to time over the years. Although historical views of European witch-beliefs and popular culture have both been in flux, this book remains among the most fascinating in its crowded field.

This is by far my favorite historical account of a witch hunt. The book looks at a northern Italian area called Friulian and the fertility rituals people performed in the 1600s and 1700s. The benandanti, marked at birth by the sign of the caul, served Christ and their community by leaving their bodies at night to fight evil witches that had attempted to destroy or steal their harvest. The Catholic Church believed the benandanti were witches and conducted inquisitions and trials. If you've ever been fascinated by the witch trials and don't know where to begin, I suggest this book as a fun yet informative read.

In his book, The Night Battles, Carlo Ginzburg addresses the historical problem of why, during sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, did the Friulian fertility rituals of the benandanti, or "good-walkers", gradually assimilate into witchcraft. The benandanti, marked at birth by the sign of the caul, served Christ and their community by leaving their bodies at night to fight evil witches that had attempted to destroy or steal their harvest. Because of the ignorance of the Friuli language and benandanti rituals, the Church conducted incessant inquisitions and trials against the self-proclaimed benandanti, which in effect, pushed the benandanti toward witchcraft and participation in the sabbat.

In support of this argument, Ginzburg employs inquisitorial records that reveal an unmistakable gap between the beliefs and mentalities of the benandanti with those of the inquisitors. Brian P. Levak's review, published in the Journal of Interdisciplinary History, notes the significance of Ginzburg's exploration of the mentalities and culture of the Friuli. Levak writes, "The Night Battles is a milestone in the history of popular culture, for it was one of the first studies to use judicial records to gain direct access to popular beliefs." In addition, by skillfully using his primary source material, Ginzburg is able to discern between the "genuinely expressed popular ideas and those that reflect the more learned notions of [the] interrogators, especially when the accused was faced with either the threat or the reality of torture." To Ginzburg's credit, he allows the strength of the inquisitorial records to stand alone in support of his thesis and in exposing the popular culture of the Friuli. Furthermore, Ginzburg's use of comparative methodology demonstrates, not only the evolution of the benandanti fertility rituals under inquisitorial pressure, but also the vast cultural and spiritual gap between the Church and the peasantry.

While Ginzburg's work is an example of ground-breaking historical writing, there are several critiques that can be made of The Night Battles. First, Ginzburg's book makes way for more questions regarding the experiences and participation of the benandanti in the fertility rituals. For example, Ginzburg admittedly does not address why the benandanti, spread out over a vast region, testify to similar experiences and physical participation in their night gatherings. How is it that these people all testified to a common experience during the inquisitions? Ginzburg would be well-served to investigate the parallels in testimonies, if only to further personify the popular culture and mentalities of the Fruili. Secondly, as Alby Stone noted in her Folklore review, "the book would be improved by making the index more comprehensive and, alas, there is no bibliography." The Table of Contents page is too simplistic, almost juvenile, and does not reflect Ginzburg's reputation as a consummate and seasoned historian. Ginzburg does offer a comprehensive appendix and notes section. However, he fails to include a bibliography - a necessity with historical writing. While the Contents and the Bibliography do not impact the overall significance of his work, these are areas that should be improved.

Just voting - can't add anything to the wonderful reviews above. This book is a treasure. So glad I found it - thanks to the amazon reviews!

I loved this book. It gave me a great deal to research and ponder. I now understand where a lot of our thought processes concerning the Old Testament came from.

I purchased 3 copies (2 for Chanakah presents) and received all three with oil-like smudge marks on the bottom and top of the pages (while the book is closed). I had a similar event happen on my previous order for the Targums of Onkelos and Jonathan and another book. In that case, all three books had similar smudge marks and two of the books had damage to the front covers. I returned these only to get new copies that were less than fully clean with one of them having damage to the front cover also. I did not bother to return them again and should have learned my lesson. This time, I did not have the time to return them and also, I was just disgusted. But the people who got them as gifts appreciated them anyway.
Regarding the content, there are positives and negatives. The positives are that many sources are used and most folks could learn new information regarding midrashim, etc. It is also well organized into categorical sections. Among the negatives are a simplistic explanation for the texts that adds very little to the text. The format is mostly cite the text, and then make a comment. Often times the comment is almost antagonistic of the text, poking fun at the text as though it be a silly "myth" and often times attempting to desribe these Jewish legends using "idolistic" explanations. The author shows himself to be nearly an apostate jew, or at best, a man who finds little meaningful signficance in these legends
beyond what the sociologist would find from mythology. For those who view Judaism as a mere philosophy, the current book would be appropriate. For those who find the legends of Judaism sacred, I highly recommend Ginzberg's "Legends of the Jews".

"The Tree of Souls" is a rare book one wants to treasure in one's library, yet it will not suffice just to have it sitting on a shelf. It should be placed on a desk close by, in order to be able to reach out and read once, twice, indeed many times the fascinating stories that engulf us as soon as we open the gates to the contents of the book. Once the reader finds himself inside this wondrous world, it becomes wide open, yet it is not difficult to decide which path to choose since the author has designed ten stepping stones, each of which will lead to a particular destination. In reality though, it does not matter which of the ten books Howard Schwartz has created within "The Tree of Souls" - each an impressive book in its own right - we choose to start with. We may read for sheer enjoyment, yet Howard Schwartz, the scholar, has made it easy also for those searching for a particular theme or topic within this vast domain to find what they are looking for and are interested in.

Initially, when I saw the title of the book, a number of images flashed in front of my eyes since many civilizations in antiquity, and even into the present, treat trees with great reverence with the belief that some are associated with supernatural powers. In the Caribbean basin island of Curacao, a giant tree spreads its immense canopy over a large area, just as its enormous roots extend from the trunk, far and wide in all directions. This particular tree serves as a symbol of homeland and a quest for peace to local Indian tribes who transplanted it from a rain forest into the arid soil of this island hundreds of years ago. It thrives there miraculously despite the harsh conditions it is subjected to. This could be the tree that many in that area of the world believe enables the souls of the righteous departed to ascend to heaven. This marvelous tree could serve as a companion to other mythical trees, such as those found in ancient Greek tales, where they aided certain divine entities that restrained, punished or rewarded human beings, depending on the situation.

The "Tree of Souls" is most marvelous since it facilitates repaired souls to descend, and thus they are not only a source of renewed life and knowledge but also the symbol of the never-ending cycle of re-creation. Whether it is the mysterious tree of Abraham described in this book, or maybe the sacred glistening tree under which the Buddha sat and meditated, or a different mythical tree of perfection from another tradition, suffice it to say that these trees, in different ways, are subject to many interpretations and explanations. It is hard not to succumb to the magic of storytelling, particularly of this storyteller who retells these magnificent tales in his own incomparable way. Thus this tree of narratives will always flourish and remain a source of enjoyment and knowledge to those sitting under its branches ...

Tree of Souls is a long-awaited and much-needed tome on the mythology of Judaism. The 670 stories present everything anyone would want to know about Jewish stories; they run the gamut from myths of God to myths of the Messiah to myths of the Holy Land to myths of exile. The copious introduction and notes about each story testify to the scholarship of the author, Schwartz, an acclaimed folklorist and author. Tree of Souls should be on the shelf of every home and library, both as a reference work for scholars and as informative and pleasant reading for the layman.

I met author Frank Fradella at DragonCon in Atlanta, GA a few years back. My fiance and I talked to him, and he gave us a deal on his book - we got two copies for the price of one.

I regret that.

The book is worth every penny, and a part of me feels as though I have stolen from him.

The book appeals to me through a fantastic plot with a seemingly ordinary protagonist who faces great odds. The level of writing that Fradella exhibits is greatly under-appreciated - the man is only starting out, and he definitely deserves to have a growth in fame.

One of the greatest elements of the book is the use of various mythologies, effortlessly and flawlessly incorporated into a single, cohesive unit, with elements pulled most notably from Greek and Norse myths, but also with a few other references.

I apologize for ranting - but I love the book, and, come to think of it, it's about time to re-read it! I do guarantee that any mythology buff will NOT be disappointed, and lovers of great fantasy or romance can also find an enormous appreciation for this title. One of the best books I ever bought. Fact.

Have you ever wondered if there's another world going on around you that you just can't see? Forces at work that are undetectable? The protagonist of Valley of Shadows, David Knox, wakes up one day and finds just such a world imposing itself on his previously normal life. That woman he loves? Not who he thought she was. That opera he took her to - just killed her. And though hidden forces manage to keep his senses at bay for a little while, he eventually peels back that thin veneer, the one that is not strong enough to keep him from his True Love, and goes hunting for answers. If you're looking for adventures, you'll find them in this book. If you're looking for happy fairy tales, well, look again. As David goes from a mountain cabin to the depths of Hades, itself, he's physically and spiritually accosted by beings that just shouldn't exist. Terror, bodily harm, threats to his own life and those of his loved ones, none of it is enough to deter him from finding out the answer to the question: What is real, and what is illusion? In Valley of Shadows, Frank Fradella uses vivid imagery and stark terror to answer those questions, about the world around David and his true friends, as well as the love that he feels for a woman he just can't let go - not even if it means challenging the very substance of his own reality.

I was lucky enough to read this book in one of its later draft stages, and even then it excited my senses. I usually have reservations about reading the manuscripts of friends as it sometimes puts me in the delicate position of having to feign enthusiasm for my friend's work. My worries evaporated quickly as I read the first few pages of this book. Anna bursting into flames and the attendant fallout had me riveted. I barely put the pages down over the next few days as the rapid-fire chapters sunk their hooks deeper and deeper. Seeing the book in it's beautiful hardback edition months later swelled me with pride almost as much as it did Frank.

Another reviewer mentioned AMERICAN GODS. I've read AMERICAN GODS. This book is no AMERICAN GODS. It's better!

Frank Fradella is a true master of the written word and, while the book could use a bit of editing in the punctuation department, VALLEY OF SHADOWS is fantastic introduction to the strange and romantic world of David Knox and his creator.

And just to rub your nose in it: I've already read the manuscript of the next chapter in David and Anna's life, and it's even better than the first.

In the hands of the right director this story would make a great movie. There aren't enough well written books in this genre, which I would call fantastic realism. I literally could not stop reading and, as soon as I finished, I read it again! I truly marvelled at each and every unexpected turn of events, and believe me, there were plenty. This author kept my interest, told a great story and I fell in love with some of the characters, and they weren't even the main ones, and some of them were the baddies. Deirdre Fallon, her pet monster/henchman Chester, Thracian and who could forget dear Uncle Teddy. I really hope this author brings them back if this is to become a series. Joss Whedon needs to read a copy of this book!

Some say Love is Hell. Well, in "Valley of Shadows", when David Knox' lover, Anna, literally catches on fire during an operatic performance by famous tenor, Oliver Thracian, Knox awakens in the hospital to discover that a witch can restore his badly burned hands.

More than that, someone magically restores David's old life, including Anna. Only replacement Anna isn't quite right and a chance encounter with scalding water from a coffee pot at his Seattle based bookstore, has Anna Version 2 fleeing and Knox in search of answers.

Nothing is quite what it seems. Anna is in Hades--and she isn't dead. Well, she was never really alive to begin with.

Oliver Thracian will help David recover Anna from Hades as long as David will do a favor for him. This favor literally takes David and his bookstore helper-adopted daughter Vanessa across the River Styx for love.

Frank Fradella's got an interesting take on life, soulmates, Valhalla and warriors in general, and the making and un-making of gods that comes from the "it's not right, but it's definitely real" school of life. "Valley of Shadows" is a strong entry into modern urban fantasy-magic realism and is well worth the read.

If you're interested in this type of story, Jane Lindskold's "Legends Walking" and "Changer" might be worth a read.

Rebecca Kyle, April 2008