Para Studies

Book Discussion on the Occult and other related fields. Post your reviews and thoughts on the books listed.

Archive for the ‘Mythology’ Category

The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Vampires

Posted by traciehicks on April 8, 2009

Vampires are the hottest topic in popular culture today. From the now classic novels of Anne Rice, to the mega- selling series by Stephanie Meyer to the hit HBO series “True Blood” based on the bestselling novels of Charlaine Harris, the undead are certainly not dead in terms of books sales. Now, those curious about the history and lore of these creatures can get up to speed in the refreshed edition of The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Vampires. It provides a detailed explanation of the origins of vampires and insight into the fascination they hold in literature and belief.

–Complete history and origins of this mythic creature
–An explanation of the various rules that vampires exist by
–A lively and exhaustive literary discussion of vampires and their importance in fiction

 

 
I just got this book today. What are your thoughts on it?

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American Indian Myths and Legends

Posted by traciehicks on March 25, 2009

Gathering 160 tales from 80 tribal groups to offer a rich and lively panarama of the Native American mythic heritage. 100 illustrations.

What do you think of this book?

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Blackfoot Lodge Tales: The Story of a Prairie People

Posted by traciehicks on March 25, 2009

First published in 1892, Blackfoot Lodge Tales is based on George Bird Grinnell’s extensive personal knowledge of the three tribes of the Blackfoot nation. Grinnell, an ethnologist, writer, editor, explorer, creator of Glacier national Park and proctector of Yellowstone National Park, had great compassion for and understanding of Indians at a time when most men of the frontier were both uninterested in and unable to record the Indians’ oral literature. The Blackfoot nation recognized Grinnell as a invaluable friend and entrusted their heritage to his keeping.

With that in mind, Grinnell presents as the first half of his book thirty stories of the Blackfeet, recorded as they were told to him, with admirable simplicity-stories of war and adventure, ancient times, natural phenomena, origins of social customes, and tales of creation and the Creator. The remainder of the book deals with the history of the Blackfeet, their dialy life and customs, tribal organizations and religion.

What do you t hink of this book?

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The Egyptian Book of the Dead

Posted by traciehicks on March 25, 2009

The sacred wisdom of the priests of ancient Egypt and the experiences of the soul after death: one of the most important books in Egyptian history. Includes full hieroglyphic text along with a transliteration of sounds, word-for-word translation, and a separate smooth translation.

What do you think of this book?

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Understanding Hieroglyphs

Posted by traciehicks on March 25, 2009

Hieroglyphs depict a vivid picture of everyday Egyptian life of long ago. Readers can decode these hieroglyphs on their own with the help of this easy-to-follow, fully illustrated book.

What do you think of this book?

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Egyptology

Posted by traciehicks on March 25, 2009

This oversized novelty book has a gold cover with red, plastic, “jewel” inlays to add to the drama. Written as an amateur Egyptologist’s travel journal from 1926, each spread covers a distinct area of antiquity and is mainly factual in content, except for the author’s chatty asides. The type resembles that of an old manual typewriter and the photos, reproductions, and sketches make the journal seem more realistic. There are papyrus pull-outs, pop-up art, minibooks, and fold-out maps and an envelope in the back with period postcards, ticket stubs, etc. Libraries will find the book useful for teaching journal writing, but difficult to keep together.–Carol Wichman, formerly at Northridge Local Schools, Dayton, OH
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

What do you think of this Book?

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Hunting for Witches: A Visitor’s Guide to the Salem Witch Trials

Posted by traciehicks on March 25, 2009

Guidebook reveals the true story of the Salem witch trials and describes more than fifty important sites you can visit today.

Take a tour through time. Find the hidden paths and places where so-called witches and their accusers walked in 1692 Salem. This book reveals the truth behind the myths and helps you locate the important houses, churches, and streets of that terrifying time. Maps, photographs, and detailed instructions for touring more than fifty sites will help you understand the Salem witch trials and the people who endured them.

Frances Hill, an international authority, answers your questions about the events of 1692 – what really happened when and where.

*MYTHS and MISCONCEPTIONS strips away the Halloween fantasy surrounding the witch trials.

*THE TRUE STORY uncovers what really happened in fascinating detail.

*WHERE TO GO AND HOW TO GET THERE exactly locates each important site linked to the witch trials and events surrounding them.

*Featuring over fifty illustrations, photographs, and maps.

What do you think of this book?

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The Modern Witch’s Spellbook (Books 1 and 2)

Posted by traciehicks on March 25, 2009

A guide to the practice of casual white magic, focusing on the concentration of emotion as a power source. The book has a personal feel to it, as if Morrison is sharing secrets among friends, and includes perhaps a few too many anecdotes while promising some impressive results.

What do you think of this book?

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The Necronomicon

Posted by traciehicks on March 25, 2009

In the past 31 years, there has been a lot of ink – actual and virtual – spilled on the subject of the Necronomicon. Some have derided it as a clumsy hoax; others have praised it as a powerful grimoire. As the decades have passed, more information has come to light both on the book’s origins and discovery, and on the information contained within its pages. The Necronomicon has been found to contain formula for spiritual trans-formation, consistent with some of the most ancient mystical processes in the world, processes that were not public knowledge when the book was first published, processes that involve communion with the stars.

What do you think of this book?

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At the Heart of Darkness: Witchcraft, Black Magic and Satanism Today

Posted by traciehicks on March 25, 2009

I was unable to fine a cover of this book off the internet. It is by John Parker.  A Citadel Press Book, Published by  Carol Publishing Group. Copyright dates says 1993.

In AT the Heart of Darkness, John Parker delves deep into the mysterious current practices of withces, occultists, black magic devotees, and Satanists. He has spoken to many of those involved in all brances of the occult and observed their rituals. By placing the occult firmly in its historical context, he shows that, though it has had a long tradition, it has been largely recreated in the twentieth cenurty. Parker reveals the existence of a massive network of occult organizations, based in the United States and Britain, and names the leaders.

What do you think of this book?

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