Description

With their weird combination of animal limbs, or distorted visions of human perception, beasts and creatures can be found in all myths and legends of the world, often used to demonstrate moral or fabulistic stories, and explain extreme natural phenomenon. This new collection includes many of the most famous and recognisable, with some insight too into the rare and the little known: the Scorpion men of Babylon mingle with the Zombies of Haiti and the Jaguars of the Aztecs, the Dybbuk and Golem of Jewish folklore can be found alongside the Yeti and the Sasquatch. Of course, from the Greek and Celtic mythologies come the Phoenix, the Banshee, the Unicorn, Satyrs and Fauns, Centaurs and Minotaurs, the many headed Hydra, the Basilisk and the Griffin. And let’s not forget the goblins of the Norse, the ogreish monsters of Japanese mythology, the Oni, and the nymphs, fairies and sprites that appear in many different mythological traditions. This truly is a wonderful collection of tales. AUTHOR: Tok Thompson (foreword) is Professor of Anthropology and Communication at the University of Southern California. Born and raised in rural Alaska, at age 17 he began studying at Harvard college, where he graduated with a degree in Anthropology. Later, he received an MA in Folklore and a PhD in Anthropology, at University of California, Berkeley, studying under the late great folklorist Alan Dundes. A popular lecturer, active editor, and well-known author, Tok has published numerous articles and books on various topics in folklore and mythology from around the world.