The renowned master of mythology is at his warm, accessible, and brilliant best in this illustrated collection of thirteen lectures covering mythological development around the world.

With The Modern Myths, brilliant science communicator Philip Ball spins a new yarn. From novels and comic books to B-movies, it is an epic exploration of literature, new media and technology, the nature of storytelling, and the making and meaning of our most important tales. Myths are usually seen as stories from the depths of time—fun and fantastical, but no longer believed by anyone. Yet, as Philip Ball shows, we are still writing them—and still living them—today. From Robinson Crusoe and Frankenstein to Batman, many stories written in the past few centuries are commonly, perhaps glibly, called “modern myths.” But Ball argues that we should take that idea seriously. Our stories of Dracula, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, and Sherlock Holmes are doing the kind of cultural work that the ancient myths once did. Through the medium of narratives that all of us know in their basic outline and which have no clear moral or resolution, these modern myths explore some of our deepest fears, dreams, and anxieties. We keep returning to these tales, reinventing them endlessly for new uses. But what are they really about, and why do we need them? What myths are still taking shape today? And what makes a story become a modern myth? In The Modern Myths, Ball takes us on a wide-ranging tour of our collective imagination, asking what some of its most popular stories reveal about the nature of being human in the modern age.

Enjoy these famous legends from Portugal, some presented in English for the very first time! This book contains 52 notable Portuguese legends, ones which were constantly heard and retold by natives from Portugal across the centuries. Whether you're interested in legends from Portugal, local culture or simply looking for a collection of legends you never read before, this book presents you with many notable stories covering a few different areas: Local legends which predate the foundation of Portugal in the XII century (such as Ulysses founding the city of Lisbon; Guesto Ansures; ...) Legends from the time of Afonso Henriques, the first king of Portugal (the famous "Miracle of Ourique"; the conquest of the city of Évora; ...) Medieval legends regarding the foundation of a few local cities and villages (such as Alenquer and Moura, ...) Legends about Portuguese kings (Martim de Freitas' faithfulness; the Magpies of Sintra; the return of king Sebastião; ...) Legends connected to the notable Battle of Aljubarrota (the Twelve of England; the Female Baker; ...) Legends from the time of the Explorers and Portuguese Empire (Machim's; the mysterious statue of the island of Corvo; the giant Adamastor; ...) Fantastic and religious legends (the Goat-footed ladies; Fuas Roupinho; the Enchanted Moors; the Olharapos; ...) And even some legends about famous places and notable people from Portugal (the Rooster of Barcelos; the love story of Inês de Castro; the Labours of Saint Engratia; the recent story of Teresa Fidalgo; ...) Many of these legends were never made available in English before, and so they are compiled and retold here, along with brief explanatory notes for those who don't speak Portuguese but would like to learn more about these myths, legends and short stories from the country of Camões, Pessoa, Amália and Cristiano Ronaldo.

This fascinating book uncovers the history behind urban legends and explains how the contemporary iterations of familiar fictional tales provide a window into the modern concerns—and digital advancements—of our society. What do ghost hunting, legend tripping, and legendary monsters have in common with email hoaxes, chain letters, and horror movies? In this follow-up to Libraries Unlimited's Tales, Rumors, and Gossip: Exploring Contemporary Folk Literature in Grades 7–12, author Gail de Vos revisits popular urban legends, and examines the impact of media—online, social, and broadcast—on their current iterations. What Happens Next? Contemporary Urban Legends and Popular Culture traces the evolution of contemporary legends from the tradition of oral storytelling to the sharing of stories on the Internet and TV. The author examines if the popularity of contemporary legends in the media has changed the form, role, and integrity of familiar legends. In addition to revisiting some of the legends highlighted in her first book, de Vos shares new tales in circulation which she sees as a direct result of technological advancements.

For over three hundred years, stories of witches, sea serpents and pirates have amazed and terrified residents of Massachusetts's North Shore. In the summer of 1692, phantom men were spotted in the fields of Gloucester. Farther north, "A" marks the spot for pirate treasure in the marshes of Newbury, while to the east, full moons might bring out the werewolf of Dogtown. The devil himself has burned his mark on the boulder-strewn landscape, while shaggy humanoids have been sighted loping along the coast. From Boston to New Hampshire, Massachusetts's North Shore is filled with remarkable stories and legendary characters. Join author Peter Muise and discover the North Shore's uncanny legends and tales of the paranormal.

Stories of the outlaw archer Robin Hood reach back to medieval times. However, movies, books, comic books, and television shows about him still populate our popular culture. Readers will not only become absorbed by the legend of the folk hero, complete with his Merry Men and the evil Sheriff of Nottingham, they'll be intrigued by the debate about whether Robin Hood is based on a real person. Famous illustrations and fun facts abound in this high-interest volume.

This revised edition of the original reference standard for urban legends provides an updated anthology of common myths and stories, and presents expanded coverage of international legends and tales shared and popularized online. From roasted babies to vanishing hitchhikers to housewives in football helmets, this exhaustive and highly readable encyclopedia provides descriptions of hundreds of individual legends and their variations, examines legend themes, and explains scholarly approaches to the genre. Revised and expanded to include updated versions of the entries from the award-winning first edition, this work provides additional entries on a wide range of new topics that include terrorism, recent political events, and Hurricane Katrina. Entries in Encyclopedia of Urban Legends, Updated and Expanded Edition discuss the presence of urban legends in comic books, literature, film, music, and many other areas of popular culture, as well as the existence of "too good to be true" stories in Argentina, China, Italy, Japan, Mexico, and several other countries. Serving as both an anthology of stories as well as a reference work, this encyclopedia will serve as a valuable resource for students and a source book for journalists, professional folklorists, and others who are researching or interested in urban legends.

Where did the people of Ireland come from? Who was King Arthur? Explore the rich mythologies and legends of the many cultures of the peoples of Britain and Ireland. Famous Myths and Legends is a beautifully photographed and illustrated 12-volume series designed to narrate the ancient mythologies and inherited stories from the many diverse cultures throughout the world.

Examines in text and photographs the life and career of the most celebrated motion picture actress in the history of show business.