Twilight Books

Folklore, Legends and Customs

Book Conditions
NEW = Brand New M = Mint – Perfect Condition F = Fine – Excellent condition but close inspection reveals evidence of ownership VG = Very good: shows slight signs of wear otherwise in excellent condition G = good: some wear such as foxing, pages browning, etc, otherwise complete, intact and clean. P = Poor: complete but may have loose pages, damaged cover or to be generally grubby – a reading copy only.

Abbreviations
Hb – Hardback Pb – Paperback BCA, SBC, CBC, RU, LC & Guild – Book Club Editions Dw – dustwrapper Ed – edited/edition Ex-lib – Ex Library copy f.e.p. – front end paper Illus – Illustrated Nd – no publishing date pp – printed pages Rpt – Repeat details Trans – translated o/w - otherwise

Alexander M. BRITISH FOLKLORE, MYTHS AND LEGENDS BCA 1982 Hb 540pp Well illus colour/b&w Dw G-VG £5. This book with its superb and unusual pictures will appeal both to folklore enthusiasts and to newcomers to the subject. 90 b&w illustrations 24 colour illustrations.

Ashe G. THE LANDSCAPE OF KING ARTHUR Grange 1987 Hb 184pp b&w and colour Photographs by Simon McBride Picture boards VG+ £5. A beautifully illustrated personal tour of England, Scotland and Wales by one of the world's leading Arthurian scholars visiting all the sites connected with King Arthur, Merlin, Camelot, etc.

Bailey A. THE CAVES OF THE SUN - THE ORIGIN OF MYTHOLOGY Jonathan Cape 1997 1st GB Ed Hb 281pp Illus Dw VG £5. The author revives a long discarded nineteenth century theory that all myths, religions and folk tales can be traced to one source - the sun. He shows that solar cults were founded in order to influence and channel the life-giving forces of nature, and these can be identified in Neanderthal cave dwellings of 60,000 years ago. It was the purpose of Stonehenge, ascribed to astronomy or fertility worship, that first set the author off on his inquiry and led to his conclusion that all the evidence points in one direction. Why the single source idea of the nineteenth century should have become overlaid with spurious misinterpretations is a revealing commentary on the illusions spawned by complexity in the modern world.

Bellingham D. Whittaker C. & Grant J. MYTHS AND LEGENDS: VIKING - ORIENTAL - GREEK New Burlington Books Hb 1992 203pp Beautifully illus in colour Picture boards VG+ £5. A compelling and magical read. An invaluable reference work for all students of myths and legends covering tales of Gods and Goddesses, tales of the Valkyries, Greek Heroes, , etc.

Campbell J. THE HERO'S JOURNEY - JOSEPH CAMPBELL ON HIS LIFE AND WORK Harper & Row Hb 1st Ed 1990 231pp Illus colour/b&w Dw VG-F £5. In this book Campbell tells his own story, from his Catholic upbringing and his early interest in American Indians, through Paris in the 1920s, and into the world of such modern mythmakers as George Lucas. Readers are shown the origins of Campbell's thought, his painstaking synthesis of mythology, religion, psychology, and art, and his encounters with many of this century's seminal thinkers. Campbell dealt with the essence of human nature through the ages and its struggle with the deep, imponderable "truths" that still mystify us - the fundamental questions about our origins and the meaning of life and death. These questions Campbell showed, are answered in every culture by mythic tales, the human way of making sense of the world. He reflects on subjects ranging from the origins and functions of myth, the role of the artist, and the need for ritual, to the ordeals of love and romance.

Cana P. Mac LIBRARY OF THE WORLD'S MYTHS AND LEGENDS - CELTIC MYTHOLOGY Chancellor Press 1996 Hb 140pp Well illus colour/b&w VG £4. The unity of the Celts of antiquity was one of culture rather than of race. Those people whom the Greeks and Romans knew as Celts no doubt were sprung from various ethnic origins, but in the view of external observers they had sufficient shared features - in language and nomenclature, social and political institutions, and in general their way of life - to mark them off as a recognisably distinct nation. So far as the Celts of continental Europe are concerned, we must take the commentaries of Posidonius and his learned progeny largely on trust, since the communities of whom they wrote have long since merged in other socio-cultural groupings. But the insular Celts remain, albeit in sadly reduced circumstances, and their separate traditions, which are important both in their extent and in their antiquity, not only reveal a close affinity between the cultures of the Irish and the British Celts, but also corroborate some of the more striking factual comments made by classical authors on the Celts of continental Europe. By the fourth century BC the Celts were accounted one of the four peripheral nations of the known world, besides the Scythians, the Indians and the Ethiopians, and not without reason, for already they had begun to intrude themselves, rudely and dramatically, into the affairs of the great Mediterranean centres of political and cultural influence. This is a fascinating book which headings cover Gaulish Gods and Insular Equivalents, The Tuatha De Danann, The Gods of Britain, The Goddesses of the Insular Celts, The Heroic Tradition, Sacral Kingship, The Otherworld and The Integral Tradition.

Clinch R. & Williams M. KING ARTHUR IN SOMERSET Bossiney Books 1987 Pb 1st Ed 94pp Larger format B&w photographs & drawings VG £3. Rosemary Clinch and Michael Williams travel among the various Arthurian sites in Somerset and Avon. Arthur, in a very real sense, belongs to these varied westerly landscapes. Indeed, we begin to view these territories in a different light when we see them in the shadow of Arthur. Nowhere are these Arthurian stories brought to life more vividly. Many of the photographs and all the drawings have been especially commissioned for this exploration. Glastonbury, South Cadbury, the River Cam, Ilchester, Brent Knoll and Dunster are only some of the places featured on this journey among the great legends.

Ferguson D. GREEK MYTHS AND LEGENDS Collins & Brown 2000 HB 1st GB Ed 157pp Well illustrated in colour Dw VG-F £6. The myths and legends of Ancient Greece have become a familiar part of western culture, but how well do you know them? In this fascinating book the authoress reveals the narrative magic of the original stories - stories that have exerted their influence for nearly two thousand years. The mythology of Ancient Greece abounds with tales of seduction and treachery, magic and mystery. Beginning with the tumultuous myth of creation and the rise and supremacy of Zeus, greatest and most powerful of all the gods of Olympus. This book goes on to present tales of transformation - many immortalized by the poet Ovid - and stories of love and loss. The myths conclude with the heroic quests of legendary figures - Heracles, Theseus and Jason. The stories are beautifully complemented with illustrations of vase paintings, mosaics and sculptures that, together with feature boxes, give an insight into the culture, history and religious beliefs of Ancient Greece.

Fielding W.J. STRANGE CUSTOMS OF COURTSHIP AND MARRIAGE Souvenir 1961 Hb 1^st GB Ed 322pp Illus Green Boards VG+ £5. A fascinating tome exploring courtship, mating customs, marriage rituals, primitive practices, etc, worldwide.

Gordon R.K. BEOWULF Unabridged Dover Thrift Editions 1992 Pb 57pp G+ £3. Beowulf first rescues the royal house of Denmark from two marauding monsters, then returns to rule his people for 50 years, ultimately losing his life in a battle to defend the Geats from a dragon's rampage. The poem combines mythical elements, Christian and pagan sensibilities, and actual historical figures and events in a narrative that ranges from vivid descriptions of fierce fighting and detailed portrayals of court life to earnest consideration of social and moral dilemmas. Originally written in Old English verse, it is presented here in an authoritative prose translation by R K Gordon.

Green M. CURIOUS CUSTOMS AND FESTIVALS - A GUIDE TO LOCAL CUSTOMS AND FESTIVALS THROUGHOUT ENGLAND AND WALES Countryside Books 2001 Pb 124pp Illus Larger Format VG-F £4. Most of the counties of England and Wales have an ancient custom or traditional festival at some time during t98he year, many have more than one. This guide describes over one hundred events together with their recent history and their distant origins. The guide is alphabetically arranged and includes two lists of the events, one by county and the other in date order. Martin Green lives in Cornwall and has made a life-long study of Britain's customs.

Haining P. SUPERSTITIONS BCA 1980 Hb 175pp Well illus Dw G+ Contents VG £5. A history and contemporary examination of superstitions past and present, lavishly illustrated. A lot of people don't think they're superstitious, but they still wouldn't walk under a ladder, have anything to do with the number 13, or forget to throw a pinch of salt over their left shoulder after spilling some. Shakespeare believed that this 400 year old bed contributed to his success; Dr Samuel Johnson never walked on the cracks between paving stones; Mussolini had a lifelong fear of the Evil Eye and refused to sit beside anyone he suspected possessed this sinister influence; the Duke of Edinburgh always taps his polo helmet seven times before a game. As the author will show in this book, the Evil One has had a hand in many superstitions. Religion, naturally enough, has played a major part in their formation, but as these pages also show, not a few have evolved from painstaking observation of the elements. Indeed, there is much that is factual as well as fantastic in the lore of superstition, and the author has gone to considerable lengths to note and study those beliefs and to explain their origins and evolution. This book ranges across a vast spectrum of beliefs; it includes hundreds of different examples, and provides in words complemented by superb illustrations a most revealing survey of this endlessly fascinating subject.

Haining P. SUPERSTITIONS Treasure Press 1979 Hb 175pp Hb Well illus in b/w photographs G+ £4. Why do people carry a rabbit's foot, search for four-leaved clovers and avoid walking under ladders? Why did Shakespeare believe his four hundred year old bed contributed to his success and why does the Duke of Edinburgh tap his helmet seven times before a game of polo? Such 'peculiar' behaviour arises from the illogical belief in superstitions. In this lively and informative book, the author delves into the factual history behind the fantastic world of superstition. Whether stemming from religion, folklore or simple historical events, the development of our numerous mysterious fears, beliefs and concepts is traced through to the present day. Packed full with anecdotes, examples and explanations, and perfectly complemented by superb illustrations and photographs. Superstitions is an enthralling book that will fascinate even the most rational mind.

Hamilton V. IN THE BEGINNING - CREATION STORIES FROM AROUND THE WORLD Pavilion 1992 Hb 1st GB Ed 157pp Beautifully illustrated Dw VG £6. The origin of the universe, and of all that is in it, has always been a cause for wonder. For thousands of years people have made up stories in an attempt to explain the beginning of humankind, the earth and the cosmos. Beautifully told by Virginia Hamilton and dramatically illustrated by Barry Moser, this book is a collection of twenty-five creations myths that will engage and fascinate readers while introducing them to cultures around the world. Researched extensively by both author and illustrator, each story includes one or more illustrations, all stunning complements to the text, and each tale is followed by the author's comments to explain further its origin. The stories in this book reflect the wonderful range of the human imagination and the diverse beliefs of people around the world, both ancient and contemporary. The worlds of these stories are created by humans, by animals and by gods; life is created from death, darkness is brought from light, and the first beings are made of clay, born from a peapod, or burst forth from a universe shaped like a hen's egg. Many of the myths suggest explanations for why things are the way they are: why a cock-crow brings dawn, why dogs have fur, why people are of many races and colours, and why humankind suffer sorrow and death. This collection of stories, both ancient and modern, broadens our understanding of the great variety of cultures and religions that exist around the world. Intriguing, often humorous and always fascinating. This is a memorable book for readers of all ages.

Holt J.C. ROBIN HOOD (REVISED AND ENLARGED EDITION) Thames & Hudson 1989 Hb 186pp Dw 52 illus with 4 maps VG+ £7.50. In the many volumes of the British Dictionary of National Biography Robin Hood enjoys a unique distinction: his entry is devoted entirely to arguing that he never existed. Now Professor James Holt, one of Britain's premier historians and author of the standing work on Magna Carta, unravels pure invention from real possibility and brings us closer than ever before to the significance and centuries long appeal of the Robin Hood legend. He roundly assesses the evidence for the historical "Robin Hood", but sees the origins of the tale as lying with the yeoman and hangers-on of the households of nobleman and gentry of the later Middle Ages, living in a society never far from violence and expressing through Robin Hood their love of adventure, their discontent and their readiness to idealize lawlessness. From there the tale was carried to tavern and market-place and beyond, sustaining Robin's popularity - in many different guises - to the present day. In the revised and expanded edition, the remarkable interest and subsequent research inspired by the book's first publication bears exciting fruit. Professor Holt presents evidence of crucial importance in identifying the original Robin Hood, as well as showing how the exploits of other outlaws contributed to the legend and giving an entirely new interpretation of Robin Hood's most famous characteristic - that he robbed the rich in order to give to the poor.

Horowitz A. (Retold by) MYTHS AND LEGENDS Kingfisher 1991 1st Ed Pb 247pp Spine slightly creased and front cover bottom right hand corner slightly creased and back cover slightly creased Illustrated by Francis Mosley Larger format G+ £3. The greatest stories ever told! Action packed and full of humour - thirty five myths and legends from seventeen cultures around the world are brought vividly to life in one superb volume. Taking a refreshingly different approach, these exciting stories are written to appeal directly to a modern audience - the perfect introduction to the heroes and villains of ancient time.

Hunt R. CORNISH FOLK-LORE Tor Mark Press 1969 Pb 48pp G-VG £2.50. This informative book covers: The Mermaid's Rock, The Sands at Lelant and Phillack, The Lost Child (in the hamlet of Treonike), the Spriggans of Trencrom Hill, The Small People's Gardens, Nursing a Fairy, The Fairy Tools: or Barker's Knee, The Four-Leaved Clover (Bosfrancan), The Old Woman who turned her shift (Knill's Steeple), How St Piran reached Cornwall, Ordulph the Giant, The Giant of St Michael's Mount loses his wife, The Old Man of Cury, The Crick Stone in Morva, The Men-An-Tol, The Dancing Stones, The Hurlers, Cudden Point and the Silver Table, Gwavas Lake (w.side of the Mount's Bay), The Lovers of Porthangwartha, The Crowza Stones, The Suicide's Spearman, St German's Well, Trewa, The Home of Witches, Madgy Figgy's Chair, Cornish Sorcerers, The Ghost on Horseback, The Lady with the Lantern, The Tinner of Chyannor, The Fairy Funeral, The Fairy Revels on the "Gump" St Just.

James P. THE SUNKEN KINGDOM Pimlico 1996 Pb 338pp Illus Dw VG+ £3. A review of all Atlantis theories together with the author's own ideas and researches concerning this mythical kingdom.

Jones G. KINGS, BEASTS AND HEROES Oxford University Press 1972 1st Ed Hb 162pp Illus Dw (slightly creased to edges o/w G) Contents VG £5. This book is an exploration of the story telling art of three famous works of literature, the old English verse epic Beowulf, the Welsh prose romance or wonder tale Culhwch and Olwen; and the Norse legendary King Hrolf's Saga. It defines their nature and assesses their excellence, not only in the light of modern critical assumptions and the suffrage of today's reader but, so far as they are discoverable, the aims and expectations of their makers and first audiences. It is one of the book's main theses that the more clearly we understand what these works are, and were meant to be, the higher our regard for them will be. The author's inquiry into the story content of his three exemplars leads him briefly to myth and history and more lastingly to wonder tale, heroic legend and legendary history. It is a rich and exciting book. It is illustrated with 21 pages of plates and three figures in the text.

Karr P. A. THE KING ARTHUR COMPANION Pendragon 1983 Pb Large format 171pp Slight creasing to front cover corner o/w G+ £4. Enter the world of Arthur, King of all Britain and master of a thousand knights. Explore the beauty and legendary world of Camelot and the Round Table; experience its magic and mystery. Written in a warm and entertaining style this book contains almost 700 entries, fully cross-referenced and annotated. It includes a "who's who" of Arthurian legend, a "what's what" of famous weapons and artefacts, a "where's where" of many geographical locations from actual maps of ancient Britain and a "when's when" full chronology of Arthur's reign.

Laverick E. WITH THIS RING - 100 YEARS OF MARRIAGE Elm Tree 1979 Pb Larger format 136pp illus with b&w photographs Slight foxing due to age of book o/w VG £2.50. This book is based on the H. Samuel Wedding Collection. A nostalgic survey of the changing fashions and customs of marriage over the past 100 years. Based on the fascinating photographs and reports which originally featured in the H. Samuel Wedding Exhibition, the book not only looks backwards, but provides helpful and practical advice for today's brides. Whether you want to re-create an Edwardian style for your own wedding, or gather ideas for anything from flowers to rings, you'll find this book rich in suggestions as well as memories.

Marinatos SP. SOME WORDS ABOUT THE LEGEND OF ATLANTIS Athens 1971 2nd Ed Pb 46pp Illus G+ £4. This booklet is a reprint of a paper published by the author in 1950 in the Scientific Review Cretica Chronica (The Cretan Annals) IV (1950), pp 195-213. In 1932, the author undertook an excavation in Crete in order to show if Amnissos, a shore about 7 km, to the east of modern Herakleion, was indeed the harbour town and arsenal of Minos. Thera and its volcano were responsible for the presence of pumice at Amnissos and secondly that a great and widespread catastrophe befell Crete at this time. However, 2 years later, the author was able to connect and to amplify these two facts and to attribute them to the huge eruption of the volcano of Thera.

Matthews J. THE MYSTIC GRAIL Thorsons 1997 1st Ed Pb 91pp Profusely illus VG £4. The story of the grail has long cast its magic upon successive generations. Though the vessel itself has taken on many different manifestations - from a stone fallen from Heaven to a cauldron of Celtic antiquity and, most notably, the cup used by Christ to celebrate the Last Supper - it has consistently been associated with a magical quest and with the mystical link between the sacred and the secular. King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table pledged themselves to seek out this wonder. In the quest that followed they were to face countless trials, but were to find, through hardship, the spiritual dimension that lay at their own hearts - just as those who seek the truth may still do today. The Mystic Grail follows that quest, described by the medieval writers who gave us the story as we know it. It is a fascinating journey, illuminated by evocative paintings, drawings and woodcuts, which bring the very essence of this enduring legend to life.

McGregor P. THE MOON AND TWO MOUNTAINS Souvenir Hb 1966 1st Ed 238pp b&w photographs Pages lightly browning o/w G-VG £6. The myths, ritual and magic of Brazilian Spiritism. Pedro McGregor looks at sorcery, psychic surgery, mythology, religion, etc.

Moody M. COUNTRY CRAFTS COTTAGE GIFTS Bloomsbury 1993 Hb 47pp Illus in colour photographs Dw VG Contents VG £3.50. Gift-giving is always a pleasure; producing your own range of gifts is even more satisfying. This book introduces a range of pretty projects, all simple and attractive, which can be completed by anyone at home with a minimum of tools and equipment. All the ideas in this book can be achieved quickly and simply and no machine sewing is involved. You may want to create a present for a special friend, or a range of items to raise money for charity or the local school. This book provides lots of ideas and the simple instructions ensure that you can complete your project quickly and easily. You can add an individual creative touch with your own selection of fabrics and finishes.

Potter C. TOUCH WOOD; AN ENCYCLOPAEDIA OF SUPERSTITION Guild 1990 Hb 263pp Dw VG £5. A fascinating A-Z of superstitions, talismans, charms, and symbols covering both meanings and origins.

Sturluson S. THE STORIES OF THE KINGS OF NORWAY CALLED THE ROUND WORLD (VOLUME III) (HEIMSKRINGLA VOLUME I) Bernard Quaritch 1893 Hb 410pp Ex-Lib with usual pockets, stamped with 839.6 STU on spine, previous owner's marks on first page and previous owner's stamp on 3rd and 4th pages,Tables (Table 1 - The Race of Harald Hairfair), Table II - The Race of Harald Gilli CF Table I (Harald Gilli reputed son of Magnus Barefoot)and Table 3 - Kings of Denmark previous owner's stamp on p.410 G+ £6.50. The saga library edited by William Morris and Eirikr Magnusson. In this book, the author has written the following tales, The story of the Ynglings, The story of the Halfdan the Black, The story of Harald Hairfair, The story of Hakon the Good, The story of King Harald Greycloak and of Earl Hakon the Son of Sigurd, The story of King Olaf Tryggvision and finally there is an explanation of the metaphors in the verses.

Sturluson S. THE STORIES OF THE KINGS OF NORWAY CALLED THE ROUND WORLD (VOLUME IV) (HEIMSKRINGLA) VOLUME II Bernard Quaritch 1894 Hb 484pp Ex-Lib with usual pockets, stamped with 839.6 STU on spine, previous owner's marks on first page and previous owner's stamp on 3rd and 4th pages, slight foxing on pages 6 & 7, Tables (Table IX - Earls of Ladir,Table XII - Family of Horda-Karl and Table XIV - Families of Saxi, Day Eilifson and Law-bersi, previous owner's mark on p.484 G+ £6.50. The saga library edited by William Morris and Eirikr Magnusson. In this book, the author has written the following tales,The Story of Olaf, the Holy, the Son of Harald and finally there is an explanation of the metaphors in the verses.

Sykes E. WHO'S WHO OF NON-CLASSICAL MYTHOLOGY Dent Pb 1993 235pp Larger format VG £4. An A-Z dictionary of over 2500 entries worldwide.

Various TALES FROM SCOTTISH LAIRDS Jarrold 1981 Pb 1st Ed 140pp book has some minor foxing, previous owner has ticked places of interest on contents page in blue biro, illus in line drawings and 1 map G+ £2. The great castles and mansions of Scotland receive many thousands of visitors each year. Now, in this collection of stories handed down through the generations, a vivid picture emerges of life in these stately homes in past centuries. Clan feuds, a strong belief in the supernatural, and rigid social barriers all play their part in the stories, which are told by the lairds of some of the most famous stately homes. Each tale is accompanied by a specially commissioned line drawing of the castle or mansion from which the tale comes.

Various ENGLISH INNS Odhams Press Ltd Hb 1951 1st Ed 127pp Well Illustrated in black & white G-VG £5. The Inn has yielded over the centuries a crop of lasting benefits whose origin has perhaps never been acknowledged and is certainly now forgotten. Virtually all of the breweries had from their beginning, owned a few houses within horse-dray delivery distance. The Brewer had been a retailer as well as a manufacturer from time immemorial. The Inn has a great tradition to maintain and it is by learning to appreciate the inn, as our forefathers created it that we can make the surest advances in the future. Its function as a "rendezvous" has for centuries made it a yard-stick of social progress. The book covers Inns from London and the South-East, The Midlands, The North Country and The West Country.

Westervelt W.D. MYTHS AND LEGENDS OF HAWAII (FOREWORD BY A. GROVE DAY) Mutual Publishing 1997 Pb 267pp G-VG £3. Here are the exploits of Maui, the demi-god who fished up the islands from the sea, noosed the sun over the rim of the crater of Haleakala, and brought fire to the people of Hawaii Nei. Here is his divine consort Hina, who fought the monster Kunamoo of the Hilo hills. Here is the saga of Pele, the volcano dweller, her faithful and enduring sister Hilaka; and the glorious other maidens of the fiery clan. Here are ghosts, ghost-gods, shark deities, and Milu, king of the underworld. Here are enchanting tales of the menehune, dwarfish night-working builders; notable thieves and magicians of forest and shore; and a dozen other creatures of fantasy. In all, here are half a hundred exotic stories from the dark backward of Hawaii Nei. This is a one-volume selection from the four volumes of collected tales of ancient Polynesian lore by Dr W D Westervelt, the most prolific and popular of the retellers of Hawaiian folk tales. The selections have been edited for the enjoyment of the modern reader. Many of the tales embody the ethos of the Hawaiian people that is still to be found in the islands today.

White P. KING ARTHUR - MAN OR MYTH Tor Mark Press 1995 Pb Larger format 32pp Slightly marked on end of pages o/w G-VG £1.50. The King Arthur of Round Table fame, whose knights searched for the Holy Grail, is obviously legendary, but was there a real person who gave rise to the myth, as Cornish people have always believed? Paul White here explores the intriguing evidence which suggests that he was a fifth century British warrior who, from a West Country base, halted and for a time reversed the advance of the Saxons.

Wood M. IN SEARCH OF MYTHS & HEROES BBC books 2005 1st Ed Hb 260pp Profusely illus in colour Dw VG+ £6. This book accompanies the television series first broadcasted on BBC2 in 2005. Historian Michael Wood journeys to some of the most remote locations on earth to bring four epic legends to life: The Search for Shangri-La, Jason and the Golden Fleece, The Queen of Sheba and Arthur: the Once and Future King. His adventures take him from the fantastic landscapes of Tibet and the mountains of Georgia to the coasts of Ethiopa and Yemen. Michael asks why these famous legends still captivate us as he goes in search not just of the historical past and literal truth but also the mythic past. In the first of these journeys, Michael investigates the legend of the hidden valley of Shangri-La - a place where the ancient wisdom of humanity is preserved for future ages - immortalized in James Hilton's novel and Frank Capra's Hollywood movie. The Greek legend of Jason's search for the Golden Fleece is the ultimate quest, older even than Homer's Iliad and Odyssey - but was there really an expedition beyond the limits of the known world back in the mists of prehistory, before the Trojan War? Travelling from Jerusalem to the Horn of Africa, Michael uncovers the legends of the Queen of Sheba, King Solomon and the Art of the Covenant, stories found in the Jewish and Christian Bible, the Ethiopian Book of Kings and the Muslim Koran. Finally, Michael travels through the Celtic countries of the British Isles in search of the tales of King Arthur, the Knights of the Round Table and the Holy Grail. Where do these stories come from? And why are we still fascinated by the once and future king? Illustrated with a wonderful series of specially commissioned photographs by the Himalayan photographer and mountaineer Steve Razzetti, this book is at once a book of great journeys, a historical adventure and an exploration of some of humanity's most enduring myths.

Folklore - Legends & Customs	Archaeology	Mysterious Animals	Earth Mysteries	Paranormal and Ghosts	Mind Body and Spirit	Ufology	Occult