The Dragon in the West

The Dragon in the West PDF Author: Daniel Ogden
Publisher: Oxford University Press
ISBN: 0192565877
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 478

Book Description
An exploration of how the image and idea of the dragon has evolved through history How did the dragon get its wings? Everyone in the modern West has a clear idea of what a dragon looks like and of the sorts of stories it inhabits, not least devotees of the fantasies of J. R. R. Tolkien, J. K. Rowling, and George R. R. Martin. A cross between a snake and some fearsome mammal, often sporting colossal wings, they live in caves, lie on treasure, maraud, and breathe fire. They are extraordinarily powerful, but even so, ultimately defeated in their battles with humans. What is the origin of this creature? The Dragon in the West is the first serious and substantial account in any language of the evolution of the modern dragon from its ancient forebears. Daniel Ogden's detailed exploration begins with the drakōn of Greek myth and the draco of the dragon-loving Romans, and a look at the ancient world's female dragons. It brings the story forwards though Christian writings, medieval illustrated manuscripts, and the lives of dragon-duelling saints, before concluding with a study of dragons found in the medieval Germanic world, including those of the Anglo-Saxon Beowulf and the Norse sagas.

East Dragon, West Dragon

East Dragon, West Dragon PDF Author: Robyn Eversole
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
ISBN: 1416987045
Category : Juvenile Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 40

Book Description
Two giant, imposing dragons confront their greatest fears…each other! East Dragon and West Dragon live on opposite sides of the world. They have never met—and they like it that way. East Dragon is sure that West Dragon’s huge wings mean that he is very, very strong. West Dragon fears that East Dragon’s long, swishy tail means that he is very, very fierce. But when some meddlesome knights start a riff between their two kingdoms, East Dragon and West Dragon are finally forced to come face-to-fire-breathing-face. Might the two dragons finally discover they aren’t so different after all? Detail-rich illustrations combine with a lighthearted, inspiring message to create a playful twist on the classic theme of fierce, fearless dragons. This story of friendship across cultures begs to be read again and again!

The Dragons and the Snakes

The Dragons and the Snakes PDF Author: David Kilcullen
Publisher: Oxford University Press
ISBN: 0190265701
Category : Political Science
Languages : en
Pages : 337

Book Description
Just a few years ago, people spoke of the US as a hyperpower-a titan stalking the world stage with more relative power than any empire in history. Yet as early as 1993, newly-appointed CIA director James Woolsey pointed out that although Western powers had "slain a large dragon" by defeating the Soviet Union in the Cold War, they now faced a "bewildering variety of poisonous snakes." In The Dragons and the Snakes, the eminent soldier-scholar David Kilcullen asks how, and what, opponents of the West have learned during the last quarter-century of conflict. Applying a combination of evolutionary theory and detailed field observation, he explains what happened to the "snakes"-non-state threats including terrorists and guerrillas-and the "dragons"-state-based competitors such as Russia and China. He explores how enemies learn under conditions of conflict, and examines how Western dominance over a very particular, narrowly-defined form of warfare since the Cold War has created a fitness landscape that forces adversaries to adapt in ways that present serious new challenges to America and its allies. Within the world's contemporary conflict zones, Kilcullen argues, state and non-state threats have increasingly come to resemble each other, with states adopting non-state techniques and non-state actors now able to access levels of precision and lethal weapon systems once only available to governments. A counterintuitive look at this new, vastly more complex environment, The Dragons and the Snakes will not only reshape our understanding of the West's enemies' capabilities, but will also show how we can respond given the increasing limits on US power.

Howl of the Wind Dragon: A Branches Book (Dragon Masters #20)

Howl of the Wind Dragon: A Branches Book (Dragon Masters #20) PDF Author: Tracey West
Publisher: Scholastic Inc.
ISBN: 1338635530
Category : Juvenile Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 102

Book Description
Evil wizard Astrid brings the Garden of Beasts to life and the Dragon Masters must go into battle in the latest installment of this New York Times bestselling series! Pick a book. Grow a Reader! This series is part of Scholastic's early chapter book line, Branches, aimed at newly independent readers. With easy-to-read text, high-interest content, fast-paced plots, and illustrations on every page, these books will boost reading confidence and stamina. Branches books help readers grow! Drake and Rori rush off to find a Wind Dragon -- the final dragon needed to undo the False Life spell. But they soon learn that the Wind Dragon is being held captive! Can they rescue her and her Dragon Master, Quilla? They'll need to hurry because evil wizard Astrid has already cast her terrible spell... Prepare for the Dragon Masters' biggest battle yet! With engaging black-and-white artwork on every page, kids won't be able to put down this action-packed book!

The Red Dragon & the West Wind

The Red Dragon & the West Wind PDF Author: Tom Sloper
Publisher: Harper Collins
ISBN: 0061906123
Category : Games & Activities
Languages : en
Pages : 274

Book Description
The Red Dragon & The West Wind is the perfect introduction to this ancient game of strategy and subterfuge, covering all aspects of the two most common varieties, American and Chinese, along with an overview of other global approaches. The book begins with the history and origin and moves on to the rules of play and ways to win and avoid essential errors as well as the etiquette to follow. With everything from clear instructions on dealing, building, and distributing tiles to a look at the history and future of the game, this is the essential book for anyone who wants to have fun–and win–while playing mah–jongg.

Secret of the Water Dragon: A Branches Book (Dragon Masters #3)

Secret of the Water Dragon: A Branches Book (Dragon Masters #3) PDF Author: Tracey West
Publisher: Scholastic Inc.
ISBN: 0545646359
Category : Juvenile Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 100

Book Description
Drake and the rest of the Dragon Masters are back for another adventure! This series is part of Scholastic's early chapter book line called Branches, which is aimed at newly independent readers. With easy-to-read text, high-interest content, fast-paced plots, and illustrations on every page, these books will boost reading confidence and stamina. Branches books help readers grow! In this third book in the series, someone is trying to steal the Dragon Stone. Drake soon discovers that the thief is his friend and fellow Dragon Master, Bo! Could the dark wizard somehow be behind this? The Dragon Masters must find a way to protect the Dragon Stone--and keep Bo's family out of danger. Will the secret to solving their problems lie with Bo's dragon, Shu? Drake is about to find out!

Rise of the Earth Dragon

Rise of the Earth Dragon PDF Author: Tracey West
Publisher: Scholastic Incorporated
ISBN: 9780545646246
Category : Juvenile Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 90

Book Description
Snatched up by a royal soldier and carried away to the castle, 8-year-old Drake trains along with three other children to become Dragon Masters who must discover their assigned dragons' special powers. By the best-selling author of the Hiro's Quest series. Simultaneous.

Rise of the Earth Dragon: A Branches Book (Dragon Masters #1)

Rise of the Earth Dragon: A Branches Book (Dragon Masters #1) PDF Author: Tracey West
Publisher: Scholastic Inc.
ISBN: 0545646332
Category : Juvenile Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 100

Book Description
The New York Times bestselling Dragon Masters series is "How to Train Your Dragon" meets the Dragon Slayers' Academy, and it's perfect for newly independent readers! Pick a book. Grow a reader. This series is part of Scholastic's early chapter book line called Branches, which is aimed at newly independent readers. With easy-to-read text, high-interest content, fast-paced plots, and illustrations on every page, these books will boost reading confidence and stamina. Branches books help readers grow! DRAGON MASTERS has it all! Dragons, a Dragon Stone, a king, a wizard, and magic! In the first book in this fully-illustrated series, 8-year old Drake is snatched up by King Roland's soldier and taken to the castle. He is to be trained as a Dragon Master. At the castle, he is joined by three other young Dragon Masters-in-training: Ana, Rori, and Bo. The Dragon Masters must learn how to connect with and train their dragons--and they must also uncover their dragons' special powers. Does Drake have what it takes to be a Dragon Master? What is his dragon's special power?

Saving the Sun Dragon

Saving the Sun Dragon PDF Author: Tracey West
Publisher:
ISBN: 9781484442883
Category : Dragons
Languages : en
Pages : 96

Book Description
The dark magic the dragons encountered in their first adventure has made Ana's sun dragon, Kepri, sick and Drake's earth dragon, Worm, teleports the himself, Kepri, and the four young dragon masters far away from the castle in search of a cure--but the threat of the dark magic still remains.

Call of the Sound Dragon: A Branches Book

Call of the Sound Dragon: A Branches Book PDF Author: Turtleback Books Publishing, Limited
Publisher: Turtleback Books
ISBN: 9781663600967
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 96

Book Description