J. K. Jackson – författare

The Norse legends of Odin, Thor, Loki and all the gods of Asgard are well known, but less so are the historical origins of civilization in the very early days of Norway and wider Scandinavia which evolved this dramatic mythology. Archaeology furnishes us with fascinating evidence of the progress of the peoples and their way of life, until later the skaldic poets began to write down and celebrate the life and exploits of their rulers, establishing divine authority through legend and myth. The various tribes of the more southerly regions – from the Geats (Gautar or Goths) of Götaland and the Swedes (Suiones) to the Cimbri of Jutland – migrated and expanded north to evolve from tribal systems into fully fledged kingdoms.This fascinating book revives some classic historical works, with an insightful introduction explaining context and modern knowledge. Trace the ancient origins of the Norsemen and historical Norway, from the Stone Age, through the Bronze Age, Iron Age and Roman Iron Age to the famous Viking Age and its impact across Europe; discover the migrations, culture, kings, literature and sagas which combine to create modern identity, tracing ancestry back to the gods. This new book is the perfect companion to Norse Myths & Legends in the same series of beautiful Collector's Editions, and sits alongside the other great cultures of the early world.Flame Tree Collector's Editions present the foundations of speculative fiction: authors, myths, tales and history without which the imaginative literature of the twentieth century would not exist, bringing the best, most influential and most fascinating works into a striking and collectable library. Each book features a new Introduction and a Glossary of Terms or lists of Ancient Leaders.

Scottish folk and fairy tales are full of mischief and malevolence, with spirits and goblins, bogles, witches, kelpies and mer-folk lurking in every corner of the land, behind every tree and craggy rock at midnight. In these pages lurk the Fairy queen, and the Sith, or silent folk, who mingle with animals that speak of prophesy and lore, and enchantments that rule the twilight.Flame Tree Collector's Editions present the foundations of speculative fiction, authors, myths and tales without which the imaginative literature of the twentieth century would not exist, bringing the best, most influential and most fascinating works into a striking and collectable library. Each book features a new introduction and a Glossary of Terms.

Gorgeous Collector's Edition. From the legends of Odin, Thor, Loki, Freya and all the gods of Asgard come the 'The Treasure of the Dwarf King', 'Ragnarok' and many other thrilling tales of the Vikings and their Norse gods fighting a constant battle with nature. Their landscape, with its stark mountains and long nights, created a particularly robust mythology, with profound contrasts and unforgettable heroes, great gods who leap out from the movies, streaming services and comics, to great fiction and epic poetry. This fabulous new book offers all the main stories with an introduction to the characters and the land that inspired them.Flame Tree Collector's Editions present the foundations of speculative fiction, authors, myths and tales without which the imaginative literature of the twentieth century would not exist, bringing the best, most influential and most fascinating works into a striking and collectable library. Each book features a new introduction and a Glossary of Terms.

Algonquin, Iroquois, Ojibwe, Cherokee – the myriad peoples of North America and their folktales are deeply fascinating because they are unique amongst the mythologies of the world. The tribes were isolated from outside influence for thousands of years and developed a fruitful, empathetic relationship with their landscape, evolving a tradition that respected and feared nature in equal measure. The tales collected for this book celebrate the diverse and sacred tribal visions of a rich and powerful land that still resonate today.Flame Tree Collector's Editions present the foundations of speculative fiction: authors, myths, tales and history without which the imaginative literature of the twentieth century would not exist, bringing the best, most influential and most fascinating works into a striking and collectable library. Each book features a new Introduction and a Glossary of Terms or lists of Ancient Leaders.

The vast cultural area of Polynesia covers Easter Island, Hawaii, New Zealand and the many isles in between. The stories and legends of the region are based on the creation of land, fish, sea, valleys and the volcanic outcrops scattered across the long stretches of the Pacific.The traditional stories of the diverse peoples of Polynesia are brought together in this new collection: from Hawaii the Rainbow Maiden of Manoa undulates through the valleys and rainbow mists; the great hero Maui releases his fish hooks into the sea to raise islands to the surface; and Pele the Fire Goddess, who hurls fountains of molten rock into the air, creating vast flows of lava. From the Māori of New Zealand come the tales of Tiki and the Great Mother, from whom the gods descend, followed by humankind. Other stories feature Maui creating the ancestors, and Hina the moon goddess. In striving to explain the beauty and darkness of their lush ocean worlds, the ancient Polynesians have passed down a wealth of treasured stories which are cornerstones to the vibrant cultures and identities of living Polynesians today. A selection of these stories are now offered in this new anthology.Flame Tree Collector's Editions present the foundations of speculative fiction, authors, myths and tales, without which the imaginative literature of the twentieth century would not exist, bringing the best, most influential and most fascinating works of myth and history into a striking and collectable library. Each book features a new introduction and a Glossary of Terms.

A gorgeous Collector's Edition of Welsh folk and fairy tales, including lesser-known local legends as well as popular tales from different regions. This new collection is created for the modern reader. Wales is rich in lore and myth and a myriad of stories have been shared and reimagined through generations. From the legends of ‘Pedws Ffowc and St Elian’s Well’ to the ‘Pwca of the Trwyn’, these stories are brimming with cunning folk, fae and faraway lands – enchanting readers and reflecting the rich cultural heritage of Wales. With a new introduction.Flame Tree Collector's Editions present the foundations of speculative fiction: authors, myths, tales and history without which the imaginative literature of the twentieth century would not exist, bringing the best, most influential and most fascinating works into a striking and collectable library. Each book features a new Introduction and a Glossary of Terms or lists of Ancient Leaders.

A Gorgeous Collector's Edition of folk and fairy tales from the continent of Africa, with stories from regions now marked as modern nations such as Libya, Algeria, Nigeria, Ghana, South Africa, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda and Rwanda, who inherit the folk and mythic tales of ancient peoples. Here you'll find stories of ogres and tricksters, riddles and poems, and great heroes of history such as Liongo. This new collection is created for the modern reader.Flame Tree Collector's Editions present the foundations of speculative fiction, authors, myths and tales without which the imaginative literature of the twentieth century would not exist, bringing the best, most influential and most fascinating works into a striking and collectable library. Each book features a new introduction and a Glossary of Terms.

Gorgeous Collector's Edition. From the birth of Zeus, to Prometheus, Pandora and Helen of Troy, Odysseus and Jason and the Argonauts, the myths of the Greeks and, later, the Romans, are passionate and powerfully told. The Gods are jealous of each other's powers, subject to mighty outbursts of love and always seeking vengeance. The dark forces of the ancient world were held at bay by the resourceful and emerging civilization that formed the basis of Western culture, providing a tradition of fabulous tales that are retold here.Flame Tree Collector's Editions present the foundations of speculative fiction, authors, myths and tales without which the imaginative literature of the twentieth century would not exist, bringing the best, most influential and most fascinating works into a striking and collectable library. Each book features a new introduction and a Glossary of Terms.

Character-forming moral fables, Viking and Nordic folk and fairy tales take the magic of the natural world and combine it with the practical common sense of the everyday. Good folk are rewarded for their hard work, the honest and the faithful are valued by the gods: treasured tales from Hans Christian Andersen, such as 'The Little Match Girl', and less well known stories such as 'Katie Woodencloak' (a Norwegian Version of Cinderella) by Asbjørnsen & Moe are some of the heartwarming pieces in this new selection for the modern reader. Flame Tree Collector's Editions present the foundations of speculative fiction, authors, myths and tales without which the imaginative literature of the twentieth century would not exist, bringing the best, most influential and most fascinating works into a striking and collectable library. Each book features a new introduction and a Glossary of Terms.

Fairy stories, especially from the fertile landscape of Ireland where the supernatural grew from the legends of the Celts, are the magic stories of everyday folk seeking solutions to the challenges of the day. This spritely new collection brings together the fables and stories of banshees, kings, trembling farmers, tricksters and beloved princesses. ‘Smallhead and the King's Sons’ (a Cinderella story) and ‘The Haughty Princess’ (recalling Grimm’s ‘Kings Thrushbeard’) are amongst the many delightful tales of hope and reckless determination.Flame Tree Collector's Editions present the foundations of speculative fiction, authors, myths and tales without which the imaginative literature of the twentieth century would not exist, bringing the best, most influential and most fascinating works into a striking and collectable library. Each book features a new introduction and a Glossary of Terms.

Gorgeous Collector's Edition. From such texts as the Shah Nameh (the Persian Book of Kings), Masnavi-e Ma’navi, the Anvar-i Suhayli fables and works by the great poet Nizāmī, come ancient tales of a civilization that once stretched across the known world. Find here the wonderful stories of the magical bird the Simurgh, the Seven Labours of Rustem, the evil demon onager-giant Akwán Díw and the tragic romance of Laili and Majnun. Persian literature is amongst the most beautiful and inventive of all cultures, offering a joyful read of creation, love and conquest.Flame Tree Collector's Editions present the foundations of speculative fiction, authors, myths and tales without which the imaginative literature of the twentieth century would not exist, bringing the best, most influential and most fascinating works into a striking and collectable library. Each book features a new introduction and a Glossary of Terms.

Gorgeous Collector's Edition. The Myths of Ancient Egypt are tied intimately to the presence and natural rhythms of the Nile. With their complex and evolving mythology, the Egyptians explained the effects of famine, harvest, floods and death by creating a pantheon of gods that still holds our fascination today. This new book presents classic egyptological works, with a new introduction, and brings the stories of the ancients to life, from the birth of creation by Ra, the sun god, to the murder of Osiris, and the revenge of Horus. We gain glimpses of the underworld and the afterlife, as the rulers of Egypt claimed lineage from the Gods both worshipped and fashioned by the people of Egypt, at a time when humankind had begun to shape the world around it,Flame Tree Collector's Editions present the foundations of speculative fiction, authors, myths and tales without which the imaginative literature of the twentieth century would not exist, bringing the best, most influential and most fascinating works into a striking and collectable library. Each book features a new introduction and a Glossary of Terms.

Gorgeous Collector's Edition. India, one of the great, ancient civilizations, spawned a fascinating canon of myths and legends. With multiple gods, and a riot of colour and character, this fantastic new book, Indian Myths & Legends, explores the themes and landscapes that created the tales, and reveals the boundless energy that brought us the Ramayana and the Mahabharata, retelling the stories of Krishna, Buddha and Shiva, and some of the many different versions of creation.Flame Tree Collector's Editions present the foundations of speculative fiction, authors, myths and tales without which the imaginative literature of the twentieth century would not exist, bringing the best, most influential and most fascinating works into a striking and collectable library. Each book features a new introduction and a Glossary of Terms.

Gorgeous Collector's Edition. Many medieval writers, especially from France and Wales, wrote stories about the great British leader, King Arthur. Legends, folklore and myths from this period come together to paint a picture of who he was with some describing him as a great warrior, defending Britain from its enemies, while others suggest Arthur had magical qualities. Throughout this mystery, King Arthur has become an iconic figure, known for his court and knights and his chivalric adventures. This collection offers a selection of myths, featuring Arthur’s knights of the round table, his love for Queen Guinevere and of course the ultimate betrayal by his most trusted knight, Sir Lancelot.Flame Tree Collector's Editions present the foundations of speculative fiction, authors, myths and tales without which the imaginative literature of the twentieth century would not exist, bringing the best, most influential and most fascinating works into a striking and collectable library. Each book features a new introduction and a Glossary of Terms.

With a new introduction, comes the story of Hannibal, often regarded as a successor to the mantle of Alexander the Great, at a time when Carthage, in North Africa, and Rome were rivals for land and power across the Mediterranean sea. A masterful tactician, a resourceful planner and courageous general, Hannibal famously crossed the Alps with a vast army of 100,000 soldiers and their elephants to make his mark on history, winning a series of battles across the Roman territories, holding much of Italy for over 15 years without ever quite overthrowing the Roman Republic.FLAME TREE 451. The bestselling paperback series on myths, legends, warriors, leaders and epic literature. Although Norse, Greek and Celtic mythology dominate the popular imagination in Western countries, there are so many other tradition around the world that contribute to the rich exploration of our collective past and create new perspectives on events of the past, and the lessons of the future.

A gorgeous Collector's Edition covering the history of Japan from prehistoric times to the end of the Heian period. Japan has gripped the imagination of readers of their spiritual and delicate myths, ghost stories and folktales for many generations but there is much more to draw our fascination. From the veneration of Mount Fuji to the long periods of isolation from other countries, to the warring kingdoms and the inception of the martial rule of the Shogunates, this history reveals the origins of the civilization that produced some of Japan's most beautiful art and literature and influences on modern Japanese culture.Flame Tree Collector's Editions present the foundations of speculative fiction: authors, myths, tales and history without which the imaginative literature of the twentieth century would not exist, bringing the best, most influential and most fascinating works into a striking and collectable library. Each book features a new Introduction and a Glossary of Terms or lists of Ancient Leaders.

Gorgeous Collector's Edition which brings to life the culture of one of the great founding civilisations. Companion volume to Egyptian Myths & Legends in the same series, this title brings to life the beginnings of human experience, the irrigation of the Nile, the origins of hieroglyphics in demarcation of land and water resources as the first people of North Africa gathered around the Nile to create one of the greatest and most enduring civilisations, one that fascinated the later titans of Antiquity, the Greeks and Romans. From these lands come the pyramids, the statues and the great Kings such as Khufu (reigning 2589–2566 BC), Hatshepsut (reigning 1478–1458 BC), Amenhotep III (reigning 1388–1351 BC), Akhenaten (reigning 1351–1334 BC), Tutankhamun (reigning 1332–1323 BC) and Ramses II (reigning 1279–1213 BC).Flame Tree Collector's Editions present the foundations of speculative fiction: authors, myths, tales and history without which the imaginative literature of the twentieth century would not exist, bringing the best, most influential and most fascinating works into a striking and collectable library. Each book features a new Introduction and a Glossary of Terms or lists of Ancient Leaders.

Gorgeous Collector's Edition. The period of the first Ancient Greek peoples, the Mycenaean civilization, from the 1700s BCE, through to the Greek Dark Ages and the rise of Classical Antiquity more than a thousand years later is one of profound significance for Western modes of thought. The first cities, works of art, the stories of Olympic Gods and heroic warriors in classical literature find their origins in the traditions of this era. This new book is the perfect companion to Greek Myths & Legends in the same series of beautiful Collector's Editions, and sits alongside the other great cultures of the early world.Flame Tree Collector's Editions present the foundations of speculative fiction: authors, myths, tales and history without which the imaginative literature of the twentieth century would not exist, bringing the best, most influential and most fascinating works into a striking and collectable library. Each book features a new Introduction and a Glossary of Terms or lists of Ancient Leaders.

Hungary nestles in the crossroads of Europe, and so Hungarian culture shares elements from West and East, with a rich tradition of folk beliefs and folktales that have been passed down through the generations. This delightful collection gathers together tales told by the authors and folklorists Baroness Orczy, János Kriza, John Erdélyi and Julius Pap: tales of fairy folk, adventure and adversity, fables and lessons, magical creatures and transformations – from ‘Uletka and the White Lizard’ with its echoes of Snow White, to the adventure of ‘Prince Mirkó’ with its bloodshed and diamond castles.FLAME TREE 451: From myth to mystery, the supernatural to horror, fantasy and science fiction, Flame Tree 451 offers a healthy diet of werewolves and mechanical men, blood-lusty vampires, dastardly villains, mad scientists, secret worlds, lost civilizations and escapist fantasies. Discover a storehouse of tales gathered specifically for the reader of the fantastic.

Organized into four sections – Love, Marriage & Family, Powerful Spirits & Mystical Realms, The Magical & the Supernatural, Tales of Animals & Mythical Creatures – this delightful collection gathers together the misadventures of the poor and the rich alike, the heart-warming and the cautious warning tales of everyday life, with folk stories such as Hyung Bo and Nahl Bo, or, The Swallow-King's Rewards, The Magic Invasion of Seoul, The King of the Flowers, The Unmannerly Tiger, Tokgabi and His Pranks and Prince Sandalwood, the Father of Korea. FLAME TREE 451: From myth to mystery, the supernatural to horror, fantasy and science fiction, Flame Tree 451 offers a healthy diet of werewolves and mechanical men, blood-lusty vampires, dastardly villains, mad scientists, secret worlds, lost civilizations and escapist fantasies. Discover a storehouse of tales gathered specifically for the reader of the fantastic and the mythic.

Gorgeous Collector's Edition. Mesoamerican culture is rooted in the region of modern Mexico where some 3500 years ago ancient peoples called the Olmecs farmed and created beautiful art and pottery at roughly the same time as the Middle Kingdom Ancient Egyptians, the Babylonians and a little after the Indus Valley societies of India. After the Olmecs many different groups emerged, amongst them the sophisticated Maya 200 years after the beginning of the Common Era. In turn they would be superseded by the Toltecs, during the long period that the Vikings swept across the length of Europe in search of silver. Another precious metal, gold, was plentiful in the Americas, the control of which was mastered by the successors of the Toltecs, the Aztecs, also known as the Mexica, who grew to dominate the region from the 13th to the 15th Century. Soon they would lend their name to the a great new city, Mexico. Through a fascinating selection of historical texts on the region and a thoughtful new introduction summarising how we understand the region today, his book traces the development of the early peoples, the emergence of some of the key civilizations of the many rich and varied societies of Mesoamerica, ending tragically with arrival of the Spanish explorers hungry for land, and for Aztec gold.Flame Tree Collector's Editions present the foundations of speculative fiction: authors, myths, tales and history without which the imaginative literature of the twentieth century would not exist, bringing the best, most influential and most fascinating works into a striking and collectable library. Each book features a new Introduction and a Glossary of Terms or lists of Ancient Leaders.

Gorgeous Collector's Edition. Ancient Rome began as a village of humble dwellings on the Palatine and grew to be one of the mightiest and most successful empires of human history, before collapsing in the West under invasions of barbarian nations attracted by Rome's wealth and land, over a thousand years later. The legacy of Rome continues in the languages of modern Europe, in the calendar and the alphabet we use, and in the religion called Christianity which remains the dominant faith throughout the Western world. In this book you'll find thrilling stories of the legendary founding of Rome, its conquest of Italy and its victory over the Carthaginians, the rise of the Republic and the Empire, the recruitment and training of men for the legions, how the city's aqueducts worked, the destruction of Rome in the Great Fire, and the extraordinary lives of the most famous Caesars.Flame Tree Collector's Editions present the foundations of speculative fiction: authors, myths, tales and history without which the imaginative literature of the twentieth century would not exist, bringing the best, most influential and most fascinating works into a striking and collectable library. Each book features a new Introduction and a Glossary of Terms or lists of Ancient Leaders.

The story of Ancient India, the vast land that stretches from the Himalayas in the North to the Oceans far south, can be traced back to the 8th millennium BCE. Later, in the mid-3000s, the first cities of the great Indus or Harappan Civilization rose around the basin of the Indus river system, a little earlier than the Ancient Egyptians around their Nile, or the Sumerians between the Tigris and the Euphrates. Tales of gods and peoples from this period were written for the first time, from older oral traditions, in the Sanskrit of Vedas in the mid-1500s, when Babylon was at its height, and the culture of Mycenaean Greeks would flower and collapse. In the 1st millennium BCE Indian civilization shifted south to the Ganges, where the great literature of the Mahābhārata and the Rāmāyana recorded the glory and the power of the gods, and the worship of a people whose vibrant culture is a reflection of its lands and the migrations of its ancestors. Presenting classic historical texts complemented by new introductions, this new book gives an insight into the rich diversity of India today.Flame Tree Collector's Editions present the foundations of speculative fiction: authors, myths, tales and history without which the imaginative literature of the twentieth century would not exist, bringing the best, most influential and most fascinating works into a striking and collectable library. Each book features a new Introduction and a Glossary of Terms or lists of Ancient Leaders.

The ancient roots of the Slavs can be traced through language and archeology to the time of late Babylon, and the Vedic culture of India, but more distinct records reveal them as a military force supporting the many tribes, the Avars, the Scythians, Visigoths and Ugrics who harried the edges of the Roman empire in 600s CE. They accompanied many Celtic and the Germanic tribes across the Baltics, down to Constantinople and Greece before retreating to the Black Sea and territories further North, to fill the vaccum left by the collapse of Atilla the Hun's great empire. Records of their early history were written by monkish historians, after conversion to Christianity swept across the most of lands beyond the old Roman Empire in the 800s and 900s. Their mythology is similar to the Scandinavians of the era, but their lands became more extensive as their influence settled into the broad categories familiar today, with East, West and South Slavs, incorporating the Bulgarians and Hungarians too. This fascinating new book locates the history and influence of the Slavic people during the some of the most important eras in the development of European cultures.Flame Tree Collector's Editions present the foundations of speculative fiction: authors, myths, tales and history without which the imaginative literature of the twentieth century would not exist, bringing the best, most influential and most fascinating works into a striking and collectable library. Each book features a new Introduction and a Glossary of Terms or lists of Ancient Leaders.

Patron saint, visionary, defender of a nation, political symbol, feminist icon, martyr – Joan of Arc is all these things and more. A saviour of France who would be burned at the stake, her gripping story has inspired countless works of literature, art and music. And yet myths will forever shroud the reality, and the true nature of the motivations and visions of this extraordinary nineteen-year-old will never be completely known. With a new introduction, this fascinating classic review of Jeanne d’Arc’s life, the pious girl from Domrémy, presents an accessible biography, thoroughly grounded in original sources and truly engaging. FLAME TREE 451: From myth to mystery, the supernatural to horror, fantasy and science fiction, Flame Tree 451 offers a healthy diet of werewolves and mechanical men, blood-lusty vampires, dastardly villains, mad scientists, secret worlds, lost civilizations and escapist fantasies. Discover a storehouse of tales gathered specifically for the reader of the fantastic.

Featuring stories such as The Prince Who Insisted on Possessing the Moon, How the Squirrel outwitted the Elephant, and The Water-Fairies save a Child, tales from Central Africa share many aspects of the same themes across the continent because ancient ethnic groups expanded and migrated over many centuries bringing the oral traditions with them. Tales in the Bantu and Banda languages abound, the Sara and Gbaya too, each bringing their unique inflections to the stories of Anansi-style spiders or other tricksters, where in the Congo, the clever water antelope or gazelle is pitched against the brutish or pompous lions, leopards or elephants. A lively and powerful read.FLAME TREE 451. The bestselling paperback series on myths, legends, warriors, leaders and epic literature. Although Norse, Greek and Celtic mythology dominate the popular imagination in Western countries, there are so many other tradition around the world that contribute to the rich exploration of our collective past and create new perspectives on events of the past, and the lessons of the future.

The Czech people trace their roots through medieval Bohemia and further back to the ancient Western Slavs before the start of the Viking Age. Their lively stories are parables and moral fables, rich with satire and the weave of determination in the face of grim reality. With a new introduction this new collection brings you classic tales including 'The Three Roses', 'The Witch and the Horseshoes', 'The Haunted Mill' and 'The Soldier and the Devil'. Such stories cling to the fantasy that all will come well in the end and that justice will be well served by truth, common threads in the proud folklore of the Slavic peoples throughout the world.FLAME TREE 451. The bestselling paperback series on myths, legends, warriors, leaders and epic literature. Although Norse, Greek and Celtic mythology dominate the popular imagination in Western countries, there are so many other tradition around the world that contribute to the rich exploration of our collective past and create new perspectives on events of the past, and the lessons of the future.