Magic Kingdoms

From one of America’s most beloved storytellers: a dazzling tapestry of love and faith, memory and imagination that questions what it means to look back and accept one’s place in history. In 1971, Harley Mann revisits his childhood, recounting his family's move to Florida’s swamplands—mere miles away from what would become Disney World—to join a community of Shakers. “Eerily timely. Can what’s gone wrong in the past offer keys to the future? The Magic Kingdom confronts our longings for Paradise; also the inner serpents that are to be found in all such enchanted gardens.” —Margaret Atwood, author of The Testaments, via Twitter Property speculator Harley Mann begins recording his life story onto a reel-to-reel machine, reflecting on his youth in the early twentieth century. He recounts that after his father’s sudden death, his family migrated down to Florida to join a Shaker colony. Led by Elder John, a generous man with a mysterious past, the colony devoted itself to labor, faith, and charity, rejecting all temptations that lay beyond the property. Though this way of life initially saved Harley and his family from complete ruin, when Harley began falling in love with Sadie Pratt, a consumptive patient living on the grounds, his loyalty to the Shakers and their conservative worldview grew strained and, ultimately, broke. As Harley dictates his story across more than half a century—meditating on youth, Florida’s everchanging landscape, and the search for an American utopia—the truth about Sadie, Elder John, and the Shakers comes to light, clarifying the past and present alike. With an expert eye and stunning vision, Russell Banks delivers a wholly captivating portrait of a man navigating Americana and the passage of time.

"This book accompanies the exhibition "Lost Magic Kingdoms" created by Eduardo Paolozzi at the Museum of Mankind in 1985. For the exhibition Paolozzi has selected several hundred items from the Museum's vast collections and numerous historical photographs from its archives. Long fascinated by the non-Western world and its artefacts, Paolozzi's choice expresses a vision he has developed over the last half-century of "Lost Magic Kingdoms", powerful realms of the imagination. This book with its photographs chosen by Paolozzi, is intended to show that vision, to relate it to his own work and illustrate the artist's belief in the power of museum collections to stimulate new directions of thought and creation. It contains a statement by, and an interview with, Paolozzi, and essays by Dawn Ades, Christopher Frayling and M.D. McLeod."--Page 4 de la couverture.

Here in his first non-Shannara novel, Terry Brooks has written a gripping story of mystery, magic, and adventure—sure to delight fantasy readers everywhere. Landover was a genuine magic kingdom, with fairy folk and wizardry, just as the advertisement has promised. But after he purchased it, Ben Holiday learned that there were a few details the ad had failed to mention. The kingdom was in ruin. The Barons refused to recognize a king, and the peasants were without hope. A dragon was laying waste the countryside, while an evil witch plotted to destroy everything. Ben's only followers were the incompetent Court Magician; Abernathy, the talking dog who served as Court Scribe; and the lovely Willow—but she had a habit of putting down roots in the moonlight and turning into a tree. The Paladin, legendary champion of the Kings of Landover, seemed to be only a myth and an empty suit of armor. To put the final touch on the whole affair, Ben soon learned that the Iron Mark, terrible lord of the demons, had challenged all prospective Kings of Landover to duel to the death—a duel which no human could hope to win. The task of proving his right to be King seemed hopeless. But Ben Holiday was stubborn. . . .

The first book in what hopes to become a multiple award-winning series is The Magic Kingdom; a gripping story of magic, mayhem, and adventure--guaranteed to delight fantasy readers of all ages. A heartening tale of Ronnie Trudeau; a woman whose life was filled with ritual disappointments and frustrations, making it meaningless. There had to be more for her. She is offered a once in a lifetime opportunity to acquire a magical realm, but there is a catch that she must learn the hard way. Bennington was in ruins. The realm's elders refused to pledge the new ruler, the townsfolk were meager and hopeless, mythical creatures ravaged the land, a powerful sorceress plotted to destroy the realm, and a mighty demon lord vowed to kill anyone who assumed the throne. Will Ronnie sacrifice everything she has built in her current life to become Queen of a dying realm and assume responsibilities that no one else would dare?

The Magic Kingdom sheds new light on the cultural icon of "Uncle Walt." Watts digs deeply into Disney's private life, investigating his roles as husband, father, and brother and providing fresh insight into his peculiar psyche-his genuine folksiness and warmth, his domineering treatment of colleagues and friends, his deepest prejudices and passions. Full of colorful sketches of daily life at the Disney Studio and tales about the creation of Disneyland and Disney World, The Magic Kingdom offers a definitive view of one of the most influential Americans of the twentieth century.

Now an insider takes you inside the incredible Disney service culture and presents simple, powerful concepts in a fun, memorable way.

If you are familiar with European folktales, you will notice that almost all the settings are in magical forests and/or in faraway kingdoms. The geography and society during the early European times could play a major role into how the stories are created and passed down from one generation to the next. Learn more about the European folktales today!

In a house near a beautiful forest, a new prince is born, living close to the mansion of his grandfather, the King. The prince moves to the city as a very young child, and there he learns how to use magic and how to play many different games. When he returned to the mansion that he had visited as a baby, he soon realizes something wonderful: his crayons have magically become rainbows! Using magic, he sets out to make the world a perfect place. In this children’s book, a young prince discovers that the reward of magic can make him as great as he wants to be and allows him to work to make the world a perfect place.

Two families go on vacation to the Magic Kingdom in Disney World, Florida.

Presents the story of Walt Disney and his creation of Mickey Mouse and numerous other animated characters, his feature films, and theme parks, and contains over eight hundred illustrations.