Pictorial reconstructions of ancient human ancestors have twin purposes: to make sense of shared ancestry and to bring prehistory to life. Stephanie Moser analyzes the close relationship between representations of the past and theories about human evolution, showing how this relationship existed even before a scientific understanding of human origins developed. How did mythological, religious, and historically inspired visions of the past, in existence for centuries, shape this understanding? Moser treats images as primary documents, and her book is lavishly illustrated with engravings, paintings, photographs, and reconstructions. In surveying the iconography of prehistory, Moser explores visions of human creation from their origins in classical, early Christian, and medieval periods through traditions of representation initiated in the Renaissance. She looks closely at the first scientific reconstructions of the nineteenth century, which dramatized and made comprehensible the Darwinian theory of human descent from apes. She considers, as well, the impact of reconstructions on popular literature in Europe and North America, showing that early visualizations of prehistory retained a firm hold on the imagination—a hold that archaeologists and anthropologists have found difficult to shake.

A new edition in one volume of Hugh Baker's celebrated three volumes of Ancestral Images originally published in 1979, 1980 and 1981. The 120 articles and photographs explore everyday life, customs and rituals in Hong Kong's rural New Territories. Each mouthful is complete in itself, but together the articles amount to a substantial feast. They investigate religion, food, language, history, festivals, family, strange happenings and clan warfare. The book documents much that can no longer be found. But it also provides an understanding of a world which has not yet entirely disappeared, and which still forms the background for life in modern, urban Hong Kong. Esoteric nuggets of information are scattered through the book: How do you ascend a Pagoda with no staircase? How can you marry without attending the wedding? When is it wrong to buy a book?

The Mi'kmaq of Atlantic Canada were here for thousands of years before the arrival of European peoples. Niniskamijinaqik / Ancestral Images: The Mi'kmaq in Art and Photography presents their unique culture and way of life through the remarkable and sometime complex lives of individuals, as depicted in artwork or photography. The opening images in this collection were created by the Mi'kmaq themselves: portrayals of human beings carved into the rock formations of Nova Scotia. Then there are the earliest surviving European depictions of Mi'kmaq, decorations on the maps of Samuel de Champlain. Finally we see portraits of Mi'kmaw individuals, ancestors in whom we see their "humanity frozen in the stillness of a photograph," as the writers of the book's foreword describe. Niniskamijinaqik / Ancestral Images includes 94 compelling pieces of art and photography, chosen from more than a thousand extant portraits in different media, that show the Mi'kmaw people. Each image is an entry point to deeply personal history, a small moment or single person transformed into vivid immediacy for the reader.

Includes section, "Book reviews"

Includes section, "Book reviews".

Many of us see closed doors between our goals and our present lives. Here, for the first time, are the keys to unlock those doors--in business, romantic and family relationships, and even athletics. Those keys--the secret, primary Images, known as Eidetics, that we all hold inside--are, when used correctly, a force to heal and enhance our natural abilities, enabling the true self to flourish and succeed. Encoded in the brain but often obscured by negative experiences and unrealistic social expectations, these primary images are the positive forces that propel successful people into self-confidence, action, and pleasure. Here, in easy-to-use "prescriptions" and visualization exercises, acclaimed Eidectic Imagery counselor Jaqueline Lapa Sussman will help you find the "gifts from the gods" within yourself. Whether you wish to enhance your leadership skills, love relationships, parenting skills, or sports performance, these techniques are sure to develop your potential and free you for success. At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.