Fascinating study of early astronomical knowledge through the interpretation of such ancient monuments as Stonehenge, Carnac, other megalithic sites. Over 140 photos, maps, illustrations. "Fascinating."— Publishers Weekly.

Classic of anthropology explores belief systems of Winnebago, Oglala Sioux, Maori, Banda, Batak, Tahitian and Hawaiian, Zuni, and Ewe. Fascinating topics include purpose of life, marriage, freedom of thought, death, nature of reality, and other concepts. The author allows his subjects to speak for themselves by quoting extensively from interviews.

A concise, nontechnical survey of primate and human paleontology and ethology, this 1863 work applies the principles of evolution directly to the human race. Immensely readable, it reflects numerous stylistic gifts.

Reliable versions of age-old Germanic and Scandinavian myths that have helped shape Western culture. Creation of world, deeds of gods and heroes such as Odin and Thor, machinations of Loki, more.

For many of their campfire tales, the aboriginal people of Australia looked to the skies, where they found a twinkling text of morals and stories within their own version of the zodiac. Today, the starry birds, fishes, and dancing men that provided a backdrop to life Down Under for thousands of years have found a new popularity beyond Australia. With this colorful compilation of oral traditions, readers can savor the tales as they were told by their aboriginal narrators. Footnotes throughout the text clarify occasional obscurities, providing background on aboriginal life and customs as the need for explanation arises. For the most part, however, the author allows the myths to speak for themselves, without any attempt to support or disprove anthropological theories. The myths range in nature and tone from reverent recountings of the origins of the world and human life, to legends about the roots of religious and social customs, to fanciful and humorous animal fables. Unabridged republication of Myths and Legends of the Australian Aboriginals, Ballantyne Press-Spottiswoode, Ballantyne & Co. Ltd., London, n.d., ca. 1930. Index. 63 black-and-white illustrations.

First published in 1898, this guide to the primitive lore of Scandinavia recounts the creation of the world from the earliest fog-country and fire-land, the birth of the gods, their ascendancy, and their twilight. It profiles the chief gods and their attendant myths, including the all-wise Odin, father of the gods; hammer-wielding Thor; Baldur, the beautiful and wise; and malicious Loki, the devil of the North. It chronicles forms of worship and religious life, plus the most famous of the hero sagas: the Volsungs, the Helgi sagas; Volund the smith; the Hjathningar, and Beowulf. Unabridged republication of the A. Clinton Crowell translation as published by Thomas Y. Crowell Company, New York, 1913. Index. 21 black-and-white illustrations.

The cat has symbolized a host of concepts: good and evil, light and darkness, religion and black magic. This intriguing book traces the history of these fascinating creatures — from vampire and clairvoyant cats to cats in heraldry, as sacrificial objects, and idols of secret sects. Includes 50 black-and-white illustrations.

These enchanting talesnbsp;from thenbsp;Masai of East Africa describenbsp;worlds of warriors and devils, monkeys and hyenas, earthquakes and comets — magical realms, in which everyday life takes on supernatural elements.nbsp; For the past hundred years, this volume has served as an authoritative source for studies of Masai culture.