The Magnificent Book Of Dragons

This beautifully illustrated series will have you captivated. Stunning illustrations, intriguing facts, and a large format make an engaging reference to revisit time and again. This magical menagerie will lead you on a thrilling journey through the fantastical realm of dragons. Meet fire-breathing monsters, ferocious serpents, wise and gentle giants, and multi-headed beasts. From the hundred-headed Typhon of Ancient Greek mythology to the dazzling Aztec dragon Quetzalcoatl, all sorts of magnificent beasts are brought to life from across the globe and many different cultures. Fascinating facts accompany each illustration so you can find out which dragon darted from tree to tree, how Shenlong was master of the rain and wind, and which creature could hypnotize people with its blazing eyes.

Meet fire-breathing dragons, magical fairies, ancient monsters, and shapeshifting spirits as you take a journey through the fantastic realm of legend, myth, and folklore. From the blood-sucking vampire and the three-headed dog Cerberus to the beautiful unicorn and the powerful centaur, a myriad of fantasy creatures from across the globe and many different cultures are brought to life in this large-format volume bursting with detailed full-color images. Fascinating facts accompany each illustration, so you can find out why looking at a basilisk means certain death, where to find a Yeti, and why you should never disturb an ogre. DOZENS OF FANTASY CREATURES: Learn about 36 giants, spirits, demons, and monsters. BEAUTIFULLY ILLUSTRATED: Vibrant, detailed images bring these creatures of myth, folklore, and legend to life. FASCINATING FACTS: Includes hundreds of fascinating facts in an easy-to-read format that will enthral mythology lovers of all ages. CLASSROOM TO COFFEE TABLE: This beautiful volume is equally at home on a school bookshelf to support student learning as in a living room to be enjoyed by the whole family. COLLECT THE SERIES: More fascinating compendiums for all ages include The Magnificent Book of Monsters, The Magnificent Book of Dragons, The Magnificent Book of Extinct Animals, and The Magnificent Book of Sharks, and more!

The beasts that inhabit the realms of ancient myth and folklore are among the most compelling creatures of imagination. This is a modern collection of animal lore in the tradition of natural histories, including beasts from all over the world.

This magical menagerie will lead you on a thrilling journey through the fantastical realm of dragons. Meet fire-breathing monsters, ferocious serpents, wise and gentle giants, and multi-headed beasts. From the hundred-headed Typhon of Ancient Greek mythology to the dazzling Aztec dragon Quetzalcoatl, all sorts of magnificent beasts are brought to life from across the globe and many different cultures. Fascinating facts accompany each illustration so you can find out which dragon darted from tree to tree, how Shenlong was master of the rain and wind, and which creature could hypnotize people with its blazing eyes.

From scaly dragons to mischievous leprechauns, mythical creatures continue to capture the imaginations of human beings around the world. Appealing to fans of the paranormal and unexplained, this new series explores the legendary hold such Amazing Mysteries have over us. Detailed photos and straightforward text examine what is known or supposed about the physical features, motivations, and dwellings of each creature. Each book also includes a story about a legendary encounter with the creature. A basic exploration of the appearance, behaviors, and origins of dragons, the scaly mythological creatures known for their ability to fly. Also included is a story from folklore about the defeat of a dragon named Lindwurm.

Originally published in 1930, Kenneth Morris's superb Book of the Three Dragons is an imaginative reworking of elements from the Mabinogion and other Welsh Celtic stories, telling the story of Manawyddan, who is given the choice between immortality with the gods or preventing a new evil from destroying the Island of the Mighty. Manawyddan chooses the latter, and the novel tells of his adventures. Swiftly moving and dramatic, this is a book that lovers of modern fantasy and old hero tales alike cannot afford to miss. Perhaps most importantly for modern readers, for the first time Morris's unpublished ending - amounting to one-third of the book's length - is included in this new edition, telling what became of the hero, his wife, and their son. NOTE ON NEW SERIES: This is the first in our new line of fantasy fiction, which will feature both masterpieces no longer in print in the US as well as new works. The series will be edited by noted Tolkien scholar Douglas A. Anderson, whose previous books include The Annotated Hobbit (HM) and Tales Before Tolkien (Ballantine). Mr. Anderson will also write introductions to each book, providing context and background to enrich the reader's experience. The cover look and interior design will appeal to all demographics (especially younger fans under 30 who play computer fantasy games and love writers like Tolkien, Pratchett, and Pullman) with top artists creating a dazzling fantasy look. Quotes:"It is a singularly fine example of the recreation of a work magnificent in its own right (the 'Mabinogion') -- a literary event rather rare except in fantasy" - Ursula Le Guin "Kenneth Morris was an important, innovative fantasist, worthy to rank with MacDonald, Eddison, and Tolkien." - Ursula Le Guin "Morris writes with all Lord Dunsany's richness, though his cadences are Celtic rather than biblical. This one should be read aloud." - review in the Feb. 2004 issue of Fantasy & Science Fiction magazine "Book of the Three Dragons is perhaps the single best fantasy adaptation from a real-world up0mythology (in this case, the Welsh Mabinogion), and the best of his tales¿" - John Rateliff, review in the Sept. 2003 issue of Wizards of the Coast website (www.wizards.com), the #1 adventure gaming company in the world.

A collection of short stories and folktales featuring dragons, by such authors as Italo Calvino, Kenneth Grahame, and Elizabeth Coatsworth.