How did our ancestors use the concept of demons to explain sleep paralysis? Is that carving in the porch of your local church really what you think it is? And what’s that tapping noise on the roof of your car..?The fields of folklore have never been more popular – a recent resurgence of interest in traditional beliefs and customs, coupled with morbid curiosities in folk horror, historic witchcraft cases and our superstitious past, have led to an intersection of ideas that is driving...

Requested for the Wolfson History Prize 2024.Devon has a long and rich folkloric heritage which has been extensively collected over many years. This book consolidates more than a century of research by eminent Devon folklorists into one valuable study and builds on the vital work that was undertaken by the Devonshire Association, providing insightful analysis of the subject matter and drawing comparisons with folklore traditions beyond the county.The first ...

Although many have heard of the Crusades and some of the more famous orders like the Templars, few know about the Livonian Crusade or the Livonian Brothers of the Sword. This organization was one of many Catholic military orders that sprung up during the Middle Ages in response to the papacy’s call for holy war, and the Livonian Crusade is the term used to group together dozens of military actions undertaken by German knights in Eastern Europe.In essence, the Holy Roman Empire soug...

It is hard to find an island on the map more central than Sicily. Located at the crossroads between Europe and Africa, and between the Eastern and Western Mediterranean, Sicily has rarely been governed as an independent, unified state. Nonetheless, the island has always occupied a front-row seat to some of the most important events in history, and nowhere is this more obvious than during antiquity.After the Punic Wars, Sicily would remain a Roman domain until the end of antiquity, ...

Jim Smiley was a betting man. He bet on horse races, dog-fights, cat-fights, even how long it took a straddle-bug to cross the border into Mexico. If there was a bet to be made, chances were the "uncommonly lucky" Smiley was behind it. So it seemed life easy money when a gullible stranger came to town and Smiley boasted to him that his pet frog-Dan'l Webster-could "outjump any frog in Calaveras County." But while Smiley was out scouting for the competition, the stranger came up with a plan...

Well over a century has passed since the publication of The Adventures of Tom Sawyer in 1876, but time has done little to diminish the appeal and enjoyment of this classic story of growing up in midwestern America. The world Mark Twain envisioned for his precocious hero is a "boy-perfect" one, where life is perpetual vacation, where good and evil are clearly defined, awe-inspiring contradictions, and where the joys of independent discovery always outweigh the severity of punishment. "Altho...

This book arose out of a friendship between a political philosopher and an economic sociologist, and their recognition of an urgent political need to address the extreme inequalities of wealth and power in contemporary societies.It provides a new analysis of what generates inequalities in rights to income, property and public goods in contemporary societies. By critiquing Marx’s foundational theory of exploitation, it moves beyond Marx, both in its analysis of inequality, and in its...

This popular, established text has been expanded to include the most up-to-date research on social cognition models and health behaviours.

This book has a much wider focus than traditional books written about drug and alcohol addictions. This unique book is written by medical specialists who diagnose, treat and research addictive disorders in their specialities. Thus, it meets the needs of the typical medical practitioner who wants to learn about and treat patients with addictive disorders in their practices. Because alcohol and drug problems are so prevalent and affect medical conditions profoundly, the medical specialist wi...

This issue features three original stories—a pair of mysteries (by Mindy Quigley and Mark Thielman, thanks to Acquiring Editors Michael Bracken and Barb Goffman), plus John Gregory Betancourt's “Sympathy for Invisible Men,” part of a series of meditations on classic monsters he has been writing for about 30 years now. Plus—if you’ve been following the lamentations of science fiction magazines about AI submissions—you will find Norman Spinrad’s essay on the subject fascinating. And of cours...

Embark on an unparalleled journey through the annals of history with 'The 50 Greatest Historical Adventure Novels,' a meticulously curated anthology that brings together the awe-inspiring narratives of some of the most celebrated literary figures. This collection spans a myriad of eras and countries, weaving tales that are as diverse in their narrative techniques as they are in their historical settings. From the rugged frontiers of James Fenimore Cooper to the high seas escapades of Rober...

This is Zoinks!, the critically-acclaimed book about Scooby-Doo by well-known folklorist and podcaster Mark Norman. Recognised internationally for his expertise in folklore and known by many for his Folklore Podcast, Mark is the perfect guide for a tour through the myths and legends that have inspired the iconic cartoon. For over half a century, a gang of teens - Fred, Daphne, Velma, Shaggy - and their dog, Scooby, have captivated audiences with their supernatural sleuthing, operating unde...