Best Selling Books by John Matthews

This companion to Celtic folklorist John Matthews'' The Song of Taliesin (Quest 2001) features seventeen stories never before published in book form, interspersed with the author''s original poetry in the style of the ancient past whence the tales spring. The book is a stunning retelling of legends, myths, and folktales drawn from the Welsh Mabinogion, the Taliesin tradition, The Book of Leinster, the story of Perceval, Malory''s Morte d''Arthur, and other traditional sources. The stories are accompanied by excellent endnotes explaining sources and elucidating points of difficulty, but they stand beautifully on their own. Taken as a whole, they present the characters, themes, and events of Celtic, Grail, and Arthurian lore in an authentic literary voice that makes for great reading and great telling. The Ancient Wisdom flows forward in many forms. One of its streams is surely found in the Arthurian "quest for the Grail"---which is, at its core, the quest for enlightenment and spiritual mastery. Matthews'' lucid refashioning of these tales is informed by his deep understanding of their esoteric center. Through them, the reader may clearly see the Ancient Wisdom shine.

Breton''s stature is much greater than that of a number of contemporaries who have received, already, far more attention from the critics than he. It provides justification without excuse, especially when the commentator''s purpose is to shed light on the intricacies of Breton''s mind, the significance of his original work, or the impact of his ideas on twentieth-century culture. Hence the aim pursued in the present study may be stated without further preamble: To attempt to broaden understanding of the evolution of Andr Breton''s thinking during a critical period in his life, the one which brought him to leadership of the surrealist movement in France. Evidently, the focus here is narrow, the goal being to give clearer definition to the intellectual state of a young man emerging from doubt--and so from self-doubt--into renewed confidence in his poetic calling.

From unicorns and trolls to werewolves and griffins, this comprehensive guide is the key to discovering every magical creature from myth, folklore and legend around the world.

"This is a great deck for collectors. There''s nothing else out there that is quite like it. The research and dedication to the project creates a great deal of depth and meaning that warrants respect and appreciation. This may not be a go to deck for regular readings, but its mysterious energy and information packed guidebook are a treat for Tarot lovers and collectors. If you are looking for a Tarot that isn''t afraid to break the mold, this might be just the deck you are looking for. --Aeclectic Tarot blog"

`This book is a tremendous resource for any early years setting. It enables us and encourages us to explore the process of artistic development through a fresh and inclusive lens′ - Nursery World `This book is a welcome update of an informative text describing the process of children′s mark making as a visual, physical and interactive process urging us to consider how we as adults perceive and support young children′s mark making activities both at home and school. John Matthews demonstrates the cognitive function of this early mark making in relation to general individual development′ - Early Years `A thought-provoking and informative book, this is essential reading for anyone involved in the education of young children′ - Times Educational Supplement - Teacher `Drawing and Painting is a fascinating and delightful read for tutors, practitioners and students and is highly recommended an essential text for early years courses at level 3 and above′- Under Five This book has been revised to reflect recent developments in early childhood education, in developmental psychology and in our understanding of children′s development in the arts. The author shows how this new model of children′s development in visual representation has important implications for education. The author examines children′s development in visual expression and suggests how this development might be supported. The book takes issue with the inherited wisdom about children′s development in visual representation. The traditional approach describes children′s development in terms of supposed deficits in which children progress from `primitive′ earlier stages to `superior′ ones, until the `defects′ in their representational thinking are overcome and they arrive at an endpoint of `visual realism′. This approach is the pervasive influence on curricular planning, in arts education and in early years education. The author explains recent different models of development in visual expression. Instead of measuring children′s efforts against an adult paradigm, the new models identify the modes of representation used by children as consequences of children′s own intentions, motivations and priorities. The writing is accessible and assumes no specialist knowledge of psychological theory, art, its history or interpretation. This book is essential reading for early childhood educators, at nursery and pre-school level, for other professionals who work with very young children and parents, as well as students and tutors on early years courses. This is a revised edition of Helping Children to Draw and Paint: Children and Visual Representation, originally published in 1994.

Defines then explores all aspects of what this tradition represents, its symbolic figures and places.

A wide-ranging survey of the history of the Roman Empire—from its establishment to decline and beyond Empire of the Romans, from Julius Caesar to Justinian provides a sweeping historical survey of the Roman empire. Uncommonly expansive in its chronological scope, this unique two-volume text explores the time period encompassing Julius Caesar’s death in 44 BCE to the end of Justinian’s reign six centuries later. Internationally-recognized author and scholar of Roman history John Matthews balances broad historical narrative with discussions of important occurrences in their thematic contexts. This integrative approach helps readers learn the timeline of events, understand their significance, and consider their historical sources. Defining the time period in a clear, yet not overly restrictive manner, the text reflects contemporary trends in the study of social, cultural, and literary themes. Chapters examine key points in the development of the Roman Empire, including the establishment of empire under Augustus, Pax Romana and the Antonine Age, the reforms of Diocletian and Constantine, and the fall of the Western Roman Empire. Discussions of the Justinianic Age, the emergence of Byzantium, and the post-Roman West help readers understand the later Roman world and its impact on the subsequent history of Europe. Written to be used as standalone resource or in conjunction with its companion Volume II: Selective Anthology, this innovative textbook: Combines accessible narrative exposition with thorough examination of historical source material Provides well-rounded coverage of Roman economy, society, law, and literary and philosophical culture Offers content taken from the author’s respected Roman Empire survey courses at Yale and Oxford University Includes illustrations, maps and plans, and chapter-by-chapter bibliographical essays Empire of the Romans, from Julius Caesar to Justinian is a valuable text for survey courses in Roman history as well as general readers interested in the 600 year time frame of the empire.

New Paths on the Quest for the Grail Explore the transformative power of the Grail and discover extraordinary revelations from nearly forgotten Grail texts. Temple of the Grail offers the first English translations of the thirteenth-century Sone de Nansay and the Later Titurel by Albrecht, together with insights from the Letter of Prester John. These texts, along with brilliant commentary by foremost Grail scholars John Matthews and Gareth Knight, provide tantalizing clues into the modern understanding of the Grail quest, shedding important new light on the mysteries of the Grail temple itself, its relationship to the sacred understanding of architecture and symbolism, and its rediscovery in the heart of the Middle East. In addition, Temple of the Grail explores the lineage of the mystical Swan Knights, said to be guardians of the Grail descended from Sone himself. Filled with fascinating perspectives on one of the greatest mysteries of all time, this book is a must-have for Grail aficionados. The interpretations of the Grail temple and the effects of standing before the Grail live at the heart of the mystery. The profound ideas explored in Temple of the Grail open new pathways of engagement with this essential part of our continued spiritual evolution.

With The Grail Tarot, John Matthews and Giovanni Caselli join forces to bring to together the elements of the grail legend in a wonderfully conceived and beautifully designed new tarot. The grail legend is one of the most famous and enduring mysteries of all time. At the story''s center is a group of knights on a quest to find the ancient relic. The Grail Tarot relates this search for the sacred Christian relic to our desire to understand the puzzle of our own lives. The Knights Templar have long been linked with the Grail, and they and other archetypal figures associated with the Templar mysteries - as well as well-known Grail figures such as Galahad - take their place in the Major Arcana of the deck. The suits are represented by the four Hallows of the Grail: cup, spear, sword and stone.

The foundation of Constantinople was a key moment in the political, cultural, and religious history of the ancient Mediterranean world, and its emergence as the capital of a Byzantine and Christian empire was a crucial influence in the subsequently separate developments of the eastern and western components of that world, down to the present day. Exploring the historical circumstances of the foundation and early development of the city, From Byzantium to Constantinople chronicles the emergence of a great metropolis in the context of imperial power and contributes to an understanding of one of the most significant of all European and Middle Eastern cities.

This is the consolidated and unduplicated edition of three separate volumes on the armorial bearings of American families published between 1903 and 1923. All told, Matthews furnishes illustrations of some 1,500 coats of arms, complete with heraldic descriptions of the arms and crests.

Discover a system of magical work based on the stories of Arthur and his legendary realm. With meditations, rituals, visualizations, and pioneering shamanic techniques, Arthurian Magic leads you on a profound soul journey designed to raise consciousness and unleash deep levels of wisdom. Discover dozens of exercises and a complete twelve-month course of study that will bring the mysteries alive and open your inner awareness to the mystical power of these profound legends. Dozens of magical groups and countless individuals have turned to the Arthurian tales for inspiration, instruction, and initiation. This book is a guide for beginners and experienced practitioners to cultivate the spiritual power of these influential myths. Explore the sacred sites, songs, blessings, invocations, and festivals. Create incense and oils for magical workings. Meet the most important and influential archetypal figures as you discover how to awaken the knight within.

An extensive investigation of the origins and numerous sightings of the mysterious and terrifying figure known as Spring-Heeled Jack • Shares original 19th-century newspaper accounts of Spring-Heeled Jack encounters as well as 20th and 21st-century reports • Explains his connections to Jack the Ripper and the Slender Man • Explores his origins in earlier mythical beings from folklore, his Steampunk popularity, and the theory that he may be an alien from a high-gravity planet Spring-Heeled Jack--a tall, thin, bounding figure with bat-like wings, clawed hands, wheels of fire for eyes, and breath of blue flames--first leapt to public attention in Victorian London in 1838, springing over hedges and walls, from dark lanes and dank graveyards, to frighten and sometimes physically attack women. News of this strange and terrifying character quickly spread, but despite numerous sightings through 1904 he was never captured or identified. Exploring the vast urban legend surrounding this enigmatic figure, John Matthews explains how the Victorian fascination with strange phenomena and sinister figures paired with hysterical reports enabled Spring-Heeled Jack to be conjured into existence. Sharing original 19th-century newspaper accounts of Spring-Heeled Jack sightings and encounters, he also examines recent 20th and 21st-century reports, including a 1953 UFO-related sighting from Houston, Texas, and disturbing accounts of the Slender Man, who displays notable similarities with Jack. He traces Spring-Heeled Jack’s origins to earlier mythical beings from folklore, such as fairy creatures and land spirits, and explores the theory that Jack is an alien marooned on Earth whose leaping prowess is attributed to his home planet having far stronger gravity than ours. The author reveals how Jack the Ripper, although a different and much more violent character, chose to identify himself with the old, well-established figure of Spring-Heeled Jack. Providing an extensive look at Spring-Heeled Jack from his beginnings to the present, Matthews illustrates why the worldwide Steampunk community has so thoroughly embraced Jack.

A thrilling and inspiring tale of a journey and a vision - the quest for the Grail. In this book, noted Arthurian specialist John Matthews has created an casily understood survey of the origins and merging of the epic themes and legends concerned with the Holy Grail. With a great wealth of illustration and specially created colour plates, King Arthur and the Grail Quest provides a fascinating survey as well as including five of the traditional stories, retold by the author. In addition, there is a full summary of all sources and an extensive bibliography.

This is a story about drug addiction and all the things that surround that lifestyle. I was totally consumed, but by the grace of God, I was saved by a real-life supernatural experience, one that came with undeniable proof.

This book is a compilation of articles that have appeared in The Strad. It covers the violin sonatas, piano trios, string trios, quartets, quintets, sonatas, the Violin Concerto, and romances.

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