Includes bibliographical references and index (pages 316-319)

"Empires and kingdoms come and go but their myths and legends live on, told and retold over hundreds, sometimes thousands, of years. Some still flourish today as inspiration for fantasy, from J. R. R. Tolkien to J. K. Rowling and beyond. Some have been almost forgotten and others are still only being partially revealed to outsiders. This book presents a fascinating selection of stories drawn from myths and legends originating from diverse cultures around the globe. From tales from the earliest stone tablets to stories told to delight royal courts; from hero stories to those offering answers to life?s unanswerable questions, this is an absorbing and beautifully presented compendium of tales that have engaged people for generations"--provided by publisher.