Before Merlin was a wizard, he was a wild man, a prophet, a poet, a shaman—and perhaps something stranger still.Few figures in Western mythology have proved as enduring or as mysterious as Merlin. From the haunted forests of early Celtic tradition to the court of King Arthur, from medieval prophecy and Renaissance magic to Victorian poetry and modern fantasy, the great enchanter has continually changed his shape—while somehow remaining unmistakably himself....

Fully illustrated collection of rare and previously unpublished tales of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table, retold for a new generation by leading Arthurian expert, John Matthews, introduced by Sir John Boorman, director of the classic film, Excalibur, and illustrated with paintings and drawings by Tolkien artist, John Howe.It is a time of magic and adventure, of chivalry and courtly love, when great evil must be met with heroic deeds. It is a time of King Arthur and h...

Voyages with the Celtic Saints recounts the inspired lives of the Celtic saints, who carried the torch of the new faith of Christianity to the wild tribespeople of Britain and Ireland. Finding many parallels between their own wisdom and that of the Druids and other teachers of the Celtic people, they adapted their own teachings to include and reshape that of the older wisdom.• Features stories from the lives of 14 inspiring Celtic saints who lived between the third and seve...

Contemporary American Literature by John Matthews Manly is a comprehensive survey of American literature at the turn of the 20th century, focusing on the works and contributions of authors who were active during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Manly explores a wide range of literary genres, including poetry, fiction, drama, and essays, offering critical analysis of the major writers and movements shaping American culture during this time.The book covers significant literary figures...

Passenger Trains in the North of England features over 270 black and white pictures and takes the reader northbound from South Yorkshire and Cheshire to the Scottish Borders. Also covered in detail are a wide selection of pictures from Cumbria, West and North Yorkshire among others. We see main line expresses, branch line and local trains, plus special workings running along today's railways and lines that have faded into history. Steam, diesel and electric powered trains are pictured righ...

What if the Grail is not only a relic of legend—but a path of transformation?For centuries the Holy Grail has haunted the imagination of poets, mystics, and seekers. It has been called a cup, a stone, a cauldron of ancient power, even a mystery hidden within the human soul. But behind the legend lies a deeper story—one of spiritual challenge, inner healing, and the timeless quest for meaning.In The Gifts of the Grail, renowned Arthurian scholar Joh...

Three Hundred Warriors. One Survivor. An Ancient Song of Glory and Loss.One of Britain's oldest epic poems returns in this vivid and haunting new poetic version. The Gododdin is a song of courage and catastrophe—a lament for three hundred warriors who rode out from the Old North to face overwhelming odds at the Battle of Catraeth, and never returned. Attributed to the early medieval bard Aneirin, this stark and beautiful work stands alongside Beowulf

Restores Gawain of Camelot to his true role as the foremost representative and servant of the Goddess.• The full story of Gawain of Camelot that restores a lost piece of the great Arthurian tapestry.• Traces the historical trends that demoted Gawain from the foremost knight of the Round Table to a villain and womanizer.• The result of more than 20 years of research by one of the world's leading scholars of Arthurian mythology.Sir Gawain, the nephew of King A...

Contemporary American Literature is a meticulously curated anthology, exploring the rich tapestry of early 20th-century American writing. Covering an expansive range of literary styles, from realism to modernism, this collection captures the diverse essence of a nation in flux. Readers will find a spectrum of voices and genres that reflect the dynamic cultural landscape of the time, offering works that challenge societal norms, explore human consciousness, and reflect on the American ident...

Step into the mythic voice of Britain's greatest bard.For centuries, the legendary bard Taliesin has been celebrated as poet, prophet, and shapeshifter—the radiant voice of Celtic myth. In this evocative new collection, internationally acclaimed author John Matthews gathers decades of his own visionary poems inspired by Taliesin's song.Here the ancient bard speaks again: of Arthur and Merlin, of the Goddess and the Grail, of battles between light and dark, ...

A first full-length collection by one of the world's leading experts on myth and legend, especially those of King Arthur and the Celts. The author of over 100 books on these and other themes, John Matthews here shows that myth has always been a central part of his life. The works published here, many for the first time, date from the 1980s to the present, and cross into many realms and fields of otherworldly grace.JOHN MATTHEWS is an independent scholar, poet and author living in O...

An accessible and authoritative compendium of key concepts in acting, this book reveals how the craft has been understood by the world's leading practitioners and theorists.What is 'truthful' acting? Am I 'freeing the voice' and being 'authentic' in my performance? The idioms of acting can both delight and confound. While enthusiastic theatregoers and aspiring actors may be attracted to studio slang, theorists and practitioners of the craft will argue fiercely over...