THUNDER MAIDEN is the second book in the fantasy series The Gondawyn Apocalypse. It continues the saga of Elandriel, a village maiden chosen to use her unfolding mystic gifts to battle against Makir, the evil overlord of the Kingdom of Gondawyn called the Demon Master. Leaving the splendor of Idannu where she was pronounced a Thunder Maiden, Elandriel and her companions join the only remaining prince of the House of Davon, Prince Jarell, to embark on an odyssey to cast down all the horrors that enslave Gondawyn and cast out the spells that mesmerize the inhabitants. It has been decreed that she must battle the evil that lurks in all the corners of the land before coming face to face with the Demon Master before his altar of sacrifice in the hidden labyrinths beneath the impenetrable fortress of Moyrah-haddan.

The book "Five Stages of the Greek Religion" follows the establishment development of the religion from the very first Greek beliefs through creating the Olympic Pantheon to the early stages of Christianity. The authors prove the universal truth that the essence of the beliefs remains the same. The contemporary Greeks celebrate the resurrection of Christ with the same emotion as they celebrated the rebirth of the Greek gods, as a metaphor for the natural cycles of season change. The book is dedicated to finding the universal laws of the development of human beliefs._x000D_ _x000D_ _x000D_

DEMONBANE begins with an odd seer proclaiming that an outcast maiden named Elandriel will save the land from the iron fist of the Demon Master who has placed the kingdom under a dreadful curse. As Elandrielâs mystic gifts unfold, she undertakes her quest, joined by a motley band of companions. Her mystic gifts continue to burgeon with each battle fought until she is consecrated in her calling by the blessings of Queen Ethyriel in the legendary land of Idannu. Elandriel, like all of us in our more commonplace lives, must bear the harsh realities of existence. Ultimately, Elandriel comes to realize the source of suffering is the evil of this world and what her own destiny is to be: The higher the calling, the greater the sacrifice; the greater the sacrifice, the more severe the suffering; the more severe the suffering, the more glorious the destiny. Elandriel is, as are all historyâs exceptional luminaries, a beacon to light the shadowed paths we tread.

On horseback from Denver through Estes Park as far as the Continental Divide, climbing peaks, riding wild trails, canoeing through canyons, shooting rapids, encountering a landslide, a summer blizzard, a sand storm, wild animals, and forest fires, the girls pack the days full with unforgettable experiences.

This volume is the most extensive social and cultural history of twentiethcentury Huangmei Opera to date. A regional Chinese theater originating in the Anqing countryside, Huangmei Opera gained popularity with the success of the 1950s play and movie, Tianxian pei 天仙配 (Married to a Heavenly Immortal). Through a case study of this work, the author juxtaposes the complex process of rewriting and revising the play and movie against the rapidly changing cultural and ideological climate of the Communist theater reform movement. As a result, the traditional theme of filial piety becomes a struggle over class and free love. This volume features a full translation of the original play and its revision in the 1950s, as well as selected articles by scriptwriters, directors, performers, and critics. These primary sources allow readers to gain access to inside views of the contemporaries and their political and artistic concerns. "Wilt Idema is one of the most important scholars in Chinese literary and cultural studies. Few in the academia can emulate him in both the spectrum of specializations and the depth of scholarship. From Yuan drama to Ming fiction, and traditional folk culture to modern performing arts, Idema’s work demonstrates a Sinologist's dedication, erudition, and originality at its best. Tianxian pei is arguably the most popular play in midtwentieth century China. In his book, Idema discusses the play’s roots and ramifications, its incarnations in multiple genes and medial forms, and its significance in modern Chinese cultural politics. His critical insight is illuminating and his translational expertise impeccable. The Metamorphosis of Tianxian pei is a major contribution to the studies of Chinese folklore, literature, theatre, and media." by David Derwei Wang, Harvard University