Showing titles in Customs & Traditions

WHEN GODS TURN VENGEFUL, ONLY THE BRAVE CAN DEFY FATE AND FIND THEIR WAY HOME Discover Stephen Fry's epic re-telling of the Odyssey for the 21st century After the fall of Troy, wily Odysseus, King of Ithaca, sails for home and his steadfast queen Penelope. However, the angry gods curse him to...

In a world in which all the old certainties seem to be crumbling, it's hard not to feel we have lost our way. Long before they became bywords for people-pleasing princesses, these old stories – passed down to us through generations by our peasant ancestors – told us everything that women need to learn about the world. They teach us to be savvy, inspire us to grow in confidence, show us how to be bold and claim the future we dream of. They might be set in difficult and dangerous times, but they require their heroines to face the unfaceable and dig deep for previously unimagined inner resources.

We often think of them as tiny, glittering creatures fluttering about in pastel tulle, but fairies haven't always been so benign. Here, historian Sarah Clegg explores the true history of fairies, and the menace and ambiguity that always lurks within the shimmering fantasy. This history takes us from elf fires in Iceland to a burial mound in Ireland; and from a stream in Cottingley where two sisters created a fairy hoax to a modern-day fairy ball in Los Angeles.

Bill Bryson was struck one day by the thought that we devote more time to studying the battles and wars of history than to considering what history really consists of: centuries of people quietly going about their daily business. This inspired him to start a journey around his own house, an old rectory in Norfolk, considering how the ordinary things in life came to be.

Fingerprints of the Gods is the revolutionary rewrite of history that has persuaded millions of listeners throughout the world to change their preconceptions about the history behind modern society. An intellectual detective story, this unique history audiobook directs probing questions at orthodox history, presenting disturbing new evidence that historians have tried - but failed - to explain.

First published three years before the print edition of Women Who Run With the Wolves made publishing history, this original audio edition quickly became an underground bestseller. For its insights into the inner life of women, it established Dr. Clarissa Pinkola Estés as one of the most...

The 10 enlightening (and often humorous) lectures of Medieval Myths and Mysteries will show you how far from the “dark” times of legend these centuries were. Uncover the facts about the Knights Templar. Reveal the truth behind the tales of legendary creatures like the Questing Beast and the unicorn. Trace the events of the Black Death and the ways it altered the world in its wake, and much more. With Professor Armstrong, you will dig deep into the ways that later generations reshaped the narrative of the medieval years and perpetuated the myths.

Lady Glenconner turns her inimitable eye to the habits and eccentricities she loves most about the people and places she has had the good fortune to explore. From grand houses and embassies to modest huts and idyllic beaches, Anne Glenconner reveals youthful exploits on sailing boats, surprising...

Why are we here? Do ghosts exist? Will we ever travel back in time? Are we being visited by extraterrestrials? Will we ever talk to animals? Are we being told the truth? Are mysterious creatures roaming the Earth? And why, when you’re in the shower, does the shower-curtain always billow in towards you? We don’t know the answers to any of these questions. But don’t worry, no matter what questions you have, you can bet on the fact that there is someone (or something) out there, investigating it on your behalf – and this book collects their latest findings.

Western folklore and mythology are rife with brilliantly creative, fulfilled, feisty, and furious role models for aging women, despite our culture's focus on youthfulness. In her exciting new book, mythologist and psychologist Sharon Blackie explores these archetypes, presenting them in a way sure to appeal to contemporary women. Drawing inspiration from these examples, women can reclaim midlife as a liberating, alchemical moment rich with possibility and their elder years as a path to dynamic power.

Unlock the Primordial Secrets of Ancient Civilizations.Before modern cities mapped the continents, our ancestors looked out upon an untamed universe and asked a defining question: Who forces the sun to break the horizon, and what shadows lurk within the deep water?To the ancient world, the...

Brought to you by Penguin. The revolutionary new offering from Jordan B. Peterson, renowned psychologist and author of the global bestseller 12 Rules for Life In We Who Wrestle with God, Jordan Peterson guides us through the ancient, foundational stories of the Western world, analyzing the...

Read by author, Seren Hawley-Plows Step into an ancient world of rituals and folklore in this riveting seasonal guide. With immersive soundscapes, an exclusive reading of The Battle Of Goddeu, seasonal recipes and more, whether you live in a sleepy village or a bustling city, The Ancient Ways...

Captivatingly read by the author, Natalie Haynes. Get ready to meet the goddesses, from the Sunday Times bestselling author of Stone Blind and Pandora’s Jar, Natalie Haynes. These are the stories of the Greek goddesses. As fearsome, powerful and beloved as their male counterparts, it’s time...

Hawaii is more than turquoise water, palm trees, and postcard sunsets. Long before tourists arrived on its shores, the islands were shaped by gods, prophecy, fire, and sacred tradition. Volcanoes were believed to carry the spirit of Pele, ancient chants preserved history across generations, and myths warned of great change long before foreign ships appeared on the horizon. In Hawaiian Gods, Myths, and Legends, Ocean Breeze Adventures takes listeners beyond the resorts and into the deeper spiritual and historical heart of Hawaii.

A groundbreaking and celebratory collection of 75 African myths and legends, beautifully retold. There’s an African proverb that says, ‘until the lion learns to write, every story will glorify the hunter.’ So here we are, telling our stories. Myths and legends are powerful. They shape our...

The perfect gift book, featuring the writing of Meryl Streep, Bill Bailey, Emilia Clarke, Olivia Colman, Caitlin Moran, Richard Ayoade, Emily Watson and others, to coincide with the upcoming movie Last Christmas, starring Emma Thompson, Emilia Clarke and Henry Golding. When you think back to Christmases past, what (if anything) made it magical? This is a beautiful, funny and soulful collection of personal essays about the meaning of Christmas, written by a unique plethora of voices from the boulevards of Hollywood to the soup kitchens of Covent Garden. 

Brought to you by Penguin. What is the correct way to queue at the bar? And why exactly do the English say sorry so much? No one makes such a fuss about manners quite as much as the UK, yet in a fast-changing world, no one can seem to agree on precisely what the ‘done thing’ is, either...

Humans have an uncanny ability to leave their indelible mark. Homes can sometimes reflect the characteristics of their occupants, and even cities become more and more like living beings after a century or two. So, it's logical to assume that darker deeds, horrible tragedies and the worst of human nature all might leave a nefarious taint on some of these places. This third book in The World of Lore series explores dark and dreadful places on land and at sea, places haunted by tragedy and filled with echoes of evil.

Connect with Britain’s extraordinary heritage and be awakened to the beauty all around you with the Sunday Times bestselling, soul-stirring journey to Craftland that reveals a richer, more meaningful way of living - by award-winning historian and broadcaster James Fox. *SHORTLISTED FOR THE...