Monsters, Animals, and Other Worlds PDF Download

Author: Keller Kimbrough
Publisher: Columbia University Press
ISBN: 0231545509
Category : Literary Collections
Languages : en
Pages : 328

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Book Description
Monsters, Animals, and Other Worlds is a collection of twenty-five medieval Japanese tales of border crossings and the fantastic, featuring demons, samurai, talking animals, amorous plants, and journeys to supernatural realms. The most comprehensive compendium of short medieval Japanese fiction in English, Monsters, Animals, and Other Worlds illuminates a rich world of literary, Buddhist, and visual culture largely unknown today outside of Japan. These stories, called otogizōshi, or Muromachi tales (named after the Muromachi period, 1337 to 1573), date from approximately the fourteenth through seventeenth centuries. Often richly illustrated in a painted-scroll format, these vernacular stories frequently express Buddhist beliefs and provide the practical knowledge and moral education required to navigate medieval Japanese society. The otogizōshi represent a major turning point in the history of Japanese literature. They bring together many earlier types of narrative—court tales, military accounts, anecdotes, and stories about the divine origins of shrines and temples––joining book genres with parlor arts and the culture of itinerant storytellers and performers. The works presented here are organized into three thematically overlapping sections titled, “Monsters, Warriors, and Journeys to Other Worlds,” “Buddhist Tales,” and “Interspecies Affairs.” Each translation is prefaced by a short introduction, and the book features images from the original scroll paintings, illustrated manuscripts, and printed books.

Author: Béatrice Fontanel
Publisher: Brighter Child
ISBN: 9780872266056
Category : Juvenile Nonfiction
Languages : en
Pages : 94

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Book Description
Text and photographs present some of the ugliest and strangest animals in nature, with explanations of how their repugnant looks are helpful to them in some way.

Author: Joseph Nigg
Publisher: University of Chicago Press
ISBN: 0226925188
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 161

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Book Description
The mythic creature expert and author of Phoenix takes readers through a bestiary of sea monsters featured on the famous 16th century map Carta Marina. In the sixteenth century, sea serpents, giant man-eating lobsters, and other monsters were thought to swim the waters of Norther Europe, threatening seafarers who ventured too far from shore. Thankfully, Scandinavian mariners had Olaus Magnus, who in 1539 charted these fantastic marine animals in his influential map of the Nordic countries, the Carta Marina. In Sea Monsters, mythologist Joseph Nigg brings readers face-to-face with these creatures and other magnificent components of Magnus’s map. Nearly two meters wide in total, the map’s nine wood-block panels comprise the largest and first realistic portrayal of the region. But in addition to its important geographic significance, Magnus’s map goes beyond cartography to scenes both domestic and mystic. Close to shore, Magnus shows humans interacting with common sea life—boats struggling to stay afloat, merchants trading, children swimming, and fisherman pulling lines. But from the offshore deeps rise some of the most terrifying sea creatures imaginable—like sea swine, whales as large as islands, and the Kraken. In this book, Nigg draws on Magnus’s own text to further describe and illuminate these inventive scenes and to flesh out the stories of the monsters. Sea Monsters is a stunning tour of a world that still holds many secrets for us land dwellers, who will forever be fascinated by reports of giant squid and the real-life creatures of the deep that have proven to be as bizarre and otherworldly as we have imagined for centuries. It is a gorgeous guide for enthusiasts of maps, monsters, and the mythic. “[A] beautiful new exploration of the Carta Marina.”—Wired

Author: Brad Steiger
Publisher: Visible Ink Press
ISBN: 1578593646
Category : Body, Mind & Spirit
Languages : en
Pages : 385

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Book Description
Shocking true stories of those who walk among us . . . With the Kepler satellite observatory detecting new planets at an unprecedented rate and the powerful computers at NASA’s Ames Research Center seeking signs of distant life, will a breakthrough discovery happen shortly—or has there already been a secret encounter with alien beings? Who might be coming next? And who walks among us today? Visits from otherworldly creatures, aliens living among us, abductions of humans to alien spacecraft, and accounts of interstellar cooperation since the UFO crash in Roswell are thoroughly investigated in Real Aliens, Space Beings, and Creatures from Other Worlds. Paranormal researcher extraordinaire Brad Steiger, an author of thousands of books and articles on the mysterious and unknown, looks into a wide host of otherworldly encounters from alleged eyewitness accounts of extraterrestrial beings working side by side with human scientists to the uncomfortable accusations of alien abductions. Disquieting testimonials, enlightening news articles, informative historical accounts and documents, this book chronicles more than 300 examples of alien encounters, conspiracy theories, and the influence of extraterrestrials on human events throughout history. This discussion of the theories and mysteries surrounding aliens is packed with thought-provoking stories and shocking revelations of alien involvement in the lives of Earthlings, such as ... Three Russian scientists who were monitoring the Apollo Moon Landing on July 20, 1969 claim that astronauts Armstrong and Aldrin were being closely observed by UFOs; Thousands of women all over the world claim to have been abducted for the purpose of bearing Hybrid Children; A family in Colorado repeatedly visited by aliens—with physical evidence and photographs to prove their story. From cattle and human mutilations to missing time experienced by UFO experiences, and from secret underground and even underwater alien facilities to government-alien conspiracies, each astonishing report is detailed with thorough research and recounted with a storyteller’s crafted voice. Real Aliens, Space Beings, and Creatures from Other Worlds will leave the reader wondering who has visited us; who's coming to visit next; and who walks among us.

Author: Brad Steiger
Publisher: Visible Ink Press
ISBN: 1578593476
Category : Body, Mind & Spirit
Languages : en
Pages : 433

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Book Description
Over 250 of the most bloodcurdling and bone-chillingly fascinating and true monster stories. Not recommended for reading just before bedtime! Monsters have been spotted everywhere, not just slithering under a child’s bed or lurking in the closet. Paranormal researcher extraordinaire Brad Steiger, an author of thousands of books and articles on the mysterious and unknown, collects some of the scariest, most unbelievable but true monster stories in his latest collection, Real Monsters, Gruesome Critters and Beasts from the Darkside. From slightly demented humans to spine-tingling paranormal encounters, each outlandish occurrence is detailed with thorough research and recounted with a storyteller’s crafted voice. This bold telling of verified monster sightings taken from historical records and first-person accounts features: The British scientists’ discovery of a tuft of hair in the Himalayan mountains containing DNA that cannot be matched with any known animal—the most convincing proof yet that Yetis are real; The “Mothman” sighted in West Virginia that some believe to be a harbinger of death; The monstrous creature, complete with horns and tail, that still lurks in the shadows of the Big Easy; The expectant mother examined by the strange praying-mantis entities aboard a UFO; and The couple walking near a lake in British Columbia, Canada, astonished to see a reptilian humanoid emerging from the lake's depths; UFO abductors seeking to create human-alien hybrids; Lake monsters, lizardmen, and creepy mermaids troll the waters for prey; Dinosaurs terrorize the jungles; Yeti and Bigfoot leave clues that they live in the mountains; Big cats, black dogs, and giant snakes prowl neighborhoods; And many, many more hair-raising stories! Highlighting news articles, historical accounts, and first-person interviews, this chronicle of human interactions with monsters will convince even the most hardened skeptic of the existence of the bogeyman, Bigfoot, shadow people, devils, mutant animals, swamp creatures, and all kinds of heinous beasts. Real Monsters, Gruesome Critters and Beasts from the Darkside will leave you constantly looking over your shoulder and wondering about the things that go bump and howl and screech in the night.

Author: DK
Publisher: Penguin
ISBN: 0744037433
Category : Juvenile Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 162

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Book Description
Meet your favourite monsters, fairies, heroes, and tricksters from all around the world! Enter the enchanting world of mythical creatures and explore the history behind them in this beautifully-illustrated Greek mythology book for children aged 5-9. You’ll meet an incredible cast of mind-boggling fictional animals from all around the world. Say hello to Bigfoot in the forests of North America and learn about the Native American traditions that inspired its story. Voyage to Japan to meet kitsune, supernatural nine-tailed foxes that can turn into humans. Then jump onboard an ancient storm-battered ship to learn why mermaids were the last thing a sailor wanted to see! Learn about the societies that spawned these legendary creatures, from Ancient Greece to the indigenous tribes of Australia, and find out what the beasts tell us about the people who created them. With magic and mystery in every page, your child can discover: - Facts behind the myths - Insights into cultures from around the world and their creation stories - Stunning full-colour illustrations by Pham Quang Phuc Mythical Beasts and Magical Creatures tells you everything you need to know about supernatural animals great and small. Perfect for fans of Harry Potter and other fantasy tales, this mythology book for children is the only kids’ guide to magical creatures that explores the history behind the mythology in both an engaging and educational way. A must-have volume for children aged 5-9 with an interes in fantasy tale, Mythical Beasts and Magical Creatures is filled with supernatural stories that brings the history of mythology and magical creatures to life, and explores the societies that birthed these legendary creatures found in narratives from Ancient Greek mythology, Australian and Native American folktales. From narwhal tusks inspiring the legend of unicorns, to dinosaur bones creating rumours of dragons, there is an interesting story behind every magical beast. This beautifully-illustrated fantasy book for kids is wonderful for children who like to delve into enchanting stories and magical creatures.

Author: Sarah Banville
Publisher: Hachette UK
ISBN: 152636350X
Category : Juvenile Nonfiction
Languages : en
Pages : 208

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Book Description
The perfect book for adults and children to share, MONSTERS is set to become a bone-chilling classic that will lurk under every bed! Ever wondered what terrorised the Scape Ore swamp in 1980s South Carolina? Or who visits the naughty children in Northern Europe to punish them on Christmas Eve? Or how bloated undead feeders got upgraded to a shape-shifting castle-dwelling Count? From well-known and well-feared monsters like Bigfoot and the Loch Ness Monster, to the lesser-known, but just as weird and wonderful Japanese Sea Serpent and Chinese Hopping Vampires, this terrific book is the must-have guide to monsters from all over the world. Each monster is brought to life in a bright and bold way by the fantastically stylish illustrator of the bestselling Stories for Boys Who Dare to Be Different series, Quinton Winter. These illustrations feature alongside the fascinating folklore and history which surrounds the monsters, researched by author and monster enthusiast, Sarah Banville. Get ready to dive into MONSTERS, but beware of what you might find there ...

Author: Miguel de Asúa
Publisher: Routledge
ISBN: 1351962140
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 267

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Book Description
Many Early Modern Europeans who during the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries travelled to the New World left written or pictorial records of their encounters with a surprising fauna. The story told in this book is woven out of the threads of those texts and pictures. A New World of Animals shows how the initial wonder at the new beasts gave way to a more utilitarian approach, assessing their economic and medical potential. It elucidates how shifts in European perceptions brought the animals from the realm of the fantastic into the mainstream of early modern natural history, while at the same time changing the way in which Europeans saw their own world. Indeed, the chronicles and treatises of those who in the wake of the discovery arrived in the new lands tell as much about the particular interests and mental worlds of the writers as about the 'new animals'. This book traces the amazement of the first explorers and colonizers, the chronicles of soldiers and Indians, the 'natural histories of the New World', the place of animals in the network of economic interests driving the early expansion of Europe, the views of the missionaries and those of natural philosophers and physicians. Taking the reader from the Brazilian forests to the erudite cabinets of the Old World, from Patagonia to the centres of empire, the story of the discovery of the unexpected menagerie of the New World is also an exploration of Early Modern European imagination and learning.

Author: Heather Frigiola
Publisher: Red Feather
ISBN: 9780764358425
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 224

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Book Description
Mythical creatures are cultural artifacts--creations of the human imagination from all around the world. From terrifying monsters to sacred mystical beasts, weird-looking humanoids, magical birds, and many other fantastic beings, the mythological creatures in this book are sure to enchant and amaze! Discover myths and legends spanning from ancient times to modern day from every corner of the globe. Learn the cultural origins of 240 different mythical creatures, captured in ten chapters and 100 colorful illustrations. You will find terrifying bogey monsters as well as benevolent guardians. Meet creatures that symbolize obstacles to overcome, ones that explain the occurrence of disease, some that ward away evil, and others that were created simply for amusement. Explore mythology from the Middle East, Africa, India, Japan, Mexico, Europe, Polynesia, and beyond. This guide is a ticket to travel the world and discover its strangest magical beasts from the safety of your own home

Author: Ross Piper
Publisher: Greenwood
ISBN: 0313384266
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 0

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Book Description
" ... Presents an overview of the animals that have the greatest impact on our lives, from the creatures that eat our crops to the ones that invade our homes and those that transmit diseases"--Publisher description.