Myths & Legends by Jake Jackson

Creation Myths, quests, magic and gods, the eternal struggle between good and evil, these are some of the classic tales that still have an incredible influence over us today through movies, Tv, comics, great fiction and stunning art. For many, the word 'mythology' brings to mind the classical traditions of the Greeks and Romans, but the whole of the ancient world was a fertile source of narratives. People of all civilizations have always told stories, echoing the natural human desire to understand the world around us. Across the globe many traditions have developed independently, but the same themes resonate across all cultures. As civilizations began to trade with each other, legends were shared and stories evolved, so that the Norse god Odin has similar traits to the Titan-conquering Zeus, and the Celtic warrior Lugh has affinities with Odin's son Thor. This new book brings to life a carefully crafted selection of the most enthralling myths and legends of eight traditions from around the world- Native American, Chinese, Celtic, Scottish, Classical Greek, Norse, Indian and African. With unforgettable characters, the tales are packed with the great themes of life- love, loss, revenge, the obsession with power and the everlasting contest between the wily and the strong.