The classic medieval tale that brings romance, chivalry and adventure to the modern reader.Alongside Gawain and the Green Knight and Beowulf, Tristan and Isolde's tale of doomed love is a classic medieval story whose themes of love, betrayal, honour and courage have weathered the test of time. Modern movies, theatre and Wagnerian opera productions tell many variations of the Irish maiden who, instructed to marry another, instead falls in love with...

From the beating heart of Central Africa comes a collection to join East African, West African and Southern African FolktalesFeaturing stories such as The Prince Who Insisted on Possessing the Moon, How the Squirrel outwitted the Elephant, and The Water-Fairies save a Child, tales from Central Africa share many aspects of the same themes across the continent because ancient ethnic groups expanded and migrated over many centuries bringing the oral traditions with th...

The folk and fairy tales of Rome provide a jovial counterweight to the more serious themes of myths and legends.The fables, folklore and fairy tales of Rome are definitely not the more familiar myths and legends with their pantheon of gods. Within these pages you'll find stories and fears of the everyday, observations on the world around us, often poking fun at those in authority, and laughing at the proud and haughty including, The King Who Goes Out To Dinner, The...

Everyday folk and fairy tales from Korea with magicians, magistrates, mischievous creatures and devious sprites.Organized into four sections – Love, Marriage & Family, Powerful Spirits & Mystical Realms, The Magical & the Supernatural, Tales of Animals & Mythical Creatures – this delightful collection gathers together the misadventures of the poor and the rich alike, the heart-warming and the cautious warning tales of everyday life, with folk stories such as Hyung ...

The perfect companion to Viking Folktales and Norse Myths.Icelandic folktales are the close cousins of Viking fairy stories, although perhaps a little darker in their tone, but they share many of the same themes of innocence and trickery, triumph of good sense over pride, and all with a strong moral message. One particular characteristic though is that often the prince is rescued by the princess who has suffered much hardship in the journey to rescue the foolish ma...

From the crossroads of Central Europe come Hungarian stories of adventure, morality, everyday life, fairies and magic.Hungary nestles in the crossroads of Europe, and so Hungarian culture shares elements from West and East, with a rich tradition of folk beliefs and folktales that have been passed down through the generations. This delightful collection gathers together tales told by the authors and folklorists Baroness Orczy, János Kriza, John Erdélyi and Julius Pa...

The determined and lively Czech people offer their lively perspectives on life through their vivid folk and fairy tales.The Czech people trace their roots through medieval Bohemia and further back to the ancient Western Slavs before the start of the Viking Age. Their lively stories are parables and moral fables, rich with satire and the weave of determination in the face of grim reality. With a new introduction this new collection brings you classic tales including...

Japan's mythology is alive with gods, spirits and monsters. It draws on Buddhist and Shinto traditions to explain the nature of the world of the island of Japan, and the heavenly status of the long line of emperors. The warrior class of the imperial court, and the natural spirits of the countryside represent parallel and interdependent aspects of Japanese society, explored through ancient legend and folklore in this fascinating new book in the Flame Tree Myths and Legend series.

Cleopatra was more than just the famous lover in a Shakespeare play, she was a powerful leader, protecting the heritage of the once-mighty Kingdom of Egypt.Cleopatra had the rare distinction of connecting three great cultures. She was born of an ancient Greek dynasty that stretched back to the time of Alexander the Great, and as the last Pharaoh of Egypt she ruled before the once mighty kingdom became a vassal state under the all-powerful Roman Empire in the first ...

The life of Hannibal, one of the greatest military leaders in history who brought a hundred thousand soldiers and their elephants across the Alps to defeat the Romans.With a new introduction, comes the story of Hannibal, often regarded as a successor to the mantle of Alexander the Great, at a time when Carthage, in North Africa, and Rome were rivals for land and power across the Mediterranean sea. A masterful tactician, a resourceful planner and courageous general,...

Capturing the exquisite and the powerful, the wise and innocent stories from Ancient China, each bursting with life and virtue.Chinese Folklore is drawn from over three thousand years of storytelling, with early legends of the gods and heroes, weird mysteries of sorcery and elemental forces, tales of the land and the animals within, and delightful sketches of love. Fantasy and philosophy often play important roles as the young and the old, the wise and the ignorant...

Caesar is a rare heroic figure in history, one whose story lives up to his legend. Read about his time with Cleopatra, his conquest of Gaul and the founding of the Roman Empire.Part of a new series created for the modern reader, introducing the heroes, cultures, myths and religions of the world, this is the epic story of Julius Caesar who was born in 100 BCE, eventually becoming one of the most influential leaders in history. After a bloody civil war, where famousl...