The Enchanted World – Time Life Series | Collector’s Guide
The Enchanted World - A Magical Time-Life Series | Collector's Guide
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Introduction
The whimsical launch for a significant journey through fantasy
When The Enchanted World series was launched, Time-Life presented it as an invitation into a complete imaginative realm. The promotional letter I received described it as “one of the most unique publishing projects ever undertaken by Time-Life Books” and promised readers “a unique and beautifully illustrated journey through the universe of the imagination.”
The series was overseen by overall editor Ellen Phillips, with folklorist Tristram Potter Coffin serving as the primary consultant. The books deliberately present their subjects from an in-universe perspective, treating magic and legendary beings as once-real forces that gradually retreated as the human world became more ordered.
A satisfying and stunning library of the fantastic
Time-Life launched the series by mail order in 1984 with Wizards and Witches, written by Brendan Lehane with the editors of Time-Life Books. If you were interested in purchasing it, they’d send this first volume to you through the post to examine, with no obligation to buy. This was characteristic of their direct-to-consumer model – Time-Life books were commonly sold with each volume in a longer series sent to subscribers in instalments.
From 1984 to 1987, The Enchanted World grew into a library of 21 volumes covering subjects that ranged from dragons, fairies, ghosts, and magical beasts to heroic legends, lost kingdoms, creation myths and occult arts. Each book takes a broad theme and gathers stories from different cultures and periods, retelling them in an accessible narrative style rather than presenting them as a dry alphabetical encyclopaedia.
The books are oversized, clothbound, and feature gilt titles and tipped-on paper illustrations on the front cover. The illustrations are eclectic, but excellent. Newly commissioned fantasy artwork appears beside medieval manuscripts, Victorian paintings, Golden Age book illustration, maps, engravings and historical artefacts. Across the series, there’s work from incredible fantasy artists such as Kinuko Y. Craft, Roberto Innocenti, John Howe, Michael Hague, Wayne Anderson and John Sibbick, alongside older masters including Arthur Rackham, Ivan Bilibin, Edward Burne-Jones and John William Waterhouse. I’m happy to say that the books also include a bibliography – an indication that, beneath the theatrical presentation, the series was intended to inform as well as enchant.
FAQ
Do I need to read them in order?
No – the books aren’t numbered, and each book is a stand-alone – there’s no need to read or collect the whole set. I’ve included a numbered ordering below which follows the original release sequence, but subscribers were sent whichever titles were available in the warehouse and so release dates can vary.
How much are they worth?
Most volumes are readily available on the second-hand market and generally sell for modest prices, although scarcer later titles and unusually fine complete sets may command more. But every book is well-researched, and beautifully and profusely illustrated, so they make a lovely addition to your home library.
How many editions / What languages are they available in?
Tracking these titles can be a little confusing – the books have different ISBNs for UK and US editions, standard and school/library bimdings in the US, and in the UK there was a partial second release by Caxton (6 volumes, with dust jackets) sold in retail stores under licence from Time-Life between 2003-2005.
The books were also released in French (Les mondes enchantés), Dutch (Het Rijk der Fabelen, 8 volumes only) and German (originally titled Verzauberte Welten, a later re-release by Weltbild Verlag was called Die geheimnisvolle Welt der Mythen und Sagen) editions as well. Dutch and German editions annoyingly used the same ISBNs. A Russian series (Зачарованный мир) was released by Terra publishing.
Quick Links
List of Books
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Wizards and Witches
#1
Author/Principal credit: Brendan Lehane
Cover art: James C. Christensen
Interior illustration: includes Arthur Rackham, Akseli Gallen-Kallela, Mel Odom, James C. Christensen, John Jude Palencar, N. C. Wyeth, Ivan Bilibin and Kinuko Y. Craft.
An atmospheric opening to the series, tracing the magician from culture-bringer and royal counsellor to feared sorcerer, diviner and witch. Its stories move between Celtic, Norse, Slavic and continental European traditions.
Detailed contents
Chapter One: Singers at the World’s Dawn: Timaren’s bride quest; Life Songs in the Lands of the Dead; The Island Enchantress; Wizard of Kiev; A Realm in the Balance; A Blade for Britain’s King; and The Welsh Enchanter’s Fosterling.
Chapter Two: Masters of Forbidden Arts: The Provençal Prophet; Taletelling Cards; Diviners of the Far North; The Black School; Legions of the Night; and Tidings of the Heavens.
Chapter Three: The Shadowy Sisterhood: Workaday witchery; familiars; charms; the Witch’s Garden; the secret of flight; and the Haunter of the Birch Forest.
Library & foreign language editions
- US School/Library edition: ISBN 9780809452057.
- Dutch: Heksen en tovenaars, ISBN 9789061828518 (*ISBN shared between Dutch and German editions).
- German: Zauberer und Hexen, ISBN 9789061828518 (*ISBN shared between Dutch and German editions).
- French: Sorcières et magiciens, ISBN 9782734402831.
- Russian: Kolduny i vedʹmy, ISBN 9785300005382.
Dragons
#2
Author/Principal credit: Tristram Potter Coffin
Cover art: Konrad Dielitz, Siegfried Slaying the Dragon, c1900
Interior illustration: includes Kinuko Y. Craft and Wayne Anderson.
A broad survey of dragon lore, ranging from primeval world-serpents and the benevolent rain-bringers of East Asia to the treasure-hoarding monsters and saintly dragon-slayers of Europe.
Detailed contents
Chapter One: Chaos Incarnate: A perilous feasting place; the destroyer at the roots of the world; a palate worthy of a god; the sleepless guardian of the golden apples; an enchantress shifting the odds; and Wayne Anderson’s Field Guide to Dragons.
Chapter Two: Glittering Gods of the East: The queller of the great deluge; reclaiming an emperor’s gift; and A Maid Who Braved the Deep.
Chapter Three: The Serpent Ascendant: The winged torch of Europe’s towns; the map Where Dragons Dwelled; maidens and dragons; jewelled haunters of the Alps; the serpent and the Cross; and a sojourn in a watery realm.
Chapter Four: Rise of the Dragonslayer: Lancelot’s desperate combat; the Terror of Kiev; death delivered to a dragon from on high; a prophet’s daring ploy; and ancient tales of Persian kings.
Library & foreign language editions
- US School/Library edition: ISBN 9780809452095.
- Dutch: Draken, ISBN 9789061828525 (*ISBN shared between Dutch and German editions).
- German: Drachen, ISBN 9789061828525 (*ISBN shared between Dutch and German editions).
- German second edition: Drachen, ISBN 9783896040091.
- French: Dragons et serpents, ISBN 9782734402954.
- Russian: Drakony, ISBN 9785300006204.
Fairies and Elves
#3
Author/Principal credit: Colin Thubron
Cover art: John Atkinson Grimshaw, Spirit of the Night (1879).
Interior illustration: includes Kinuko Y. Craft, Jözef Sumichrast and Winslow Pinney Pels.
A journey into the perilous borderlands of fairy belief: hidden kingdoms, stolen children, enchanted lovers, household spirits and the etiquette required when dealing with the Good People.
Detailed contents
Chapter One: Lands Behind Enchantment’s Veil: Journeys into fairy kingdoms and otherworldly courts, including A World in Miniature and encounters with the Tuatha Dé Danann, fairy kings and hidden realms.
Chapter Two: Guardians of Field and Forest: Leshies, huldra, poleviks, rusalky and other spirits tied to trees, farms and wild places, including The Myrtle Tree’s Sweet Tenant.
Chapter Three: Of Fairy Raids and Mortal Missteps: Changelings, abductions, broken taboos and perilous bargains, with Tam Lin and other mortals who cross the boundary into Faerie.
Chapter Four: The Heart’s Far-Carrying Call: Mortal and fairy marriages, enchanted lovers and the tests imposed by supernatural courts, including Trials of a Charmed Passion.
Library & foreign language editions
- US School/Library edition: ISBN 9780809452132.
- Dutch: Feeën en elfen, ISBN 9789061828532 (*ISBN shared between Dutch and German editions).
- German: Feen und Elfen, ISBN 9789061828532 (*ISBN shared between Dutch and German editions).
- French: Les Elfes et les fées, ISBN 9782734402893.
- Russian: Fei i ėlʹfy, ISBN 9785300005252.
Ghosts
#4
Author/Principal credit: Ellen Galford
Cover art: Horace Vernet, La Ballade de Lénore (1839)
Interior illustration: includes Kinuko Y. Craft and Chris Van Allsburg.
An exploration of beliefs about death, hauntings and restless spirits, including revenants, warning apparitions, haunted places and rites intended to lay the dead to rest.
Detailed contents
Chapter One: Guises of the Reaper: Death omens and personifications including the Black Dog or Old Shuck, the Ankou, the Bean-Nighe and banshees; the section also includes Song of the Sorrowing Harp.
Chapter Two: Invasions by the Angry Dead: Revenants, neglected children’s spirits, navky, poltergeists and revenge ghosts, showing how the improperly buried or wronged dead return to trouble the living.
Chapter Three: Shadow Plays of Grief and Pain: Haunted places, spectral battles and apparitions created by violence or sorrow, including The Hooded Congregation.
Chapter Four: Hands Across the Void: Necromancy, séances, exorcism and attempts to communicate with the dead, including Glam’s Tale.
Library & foreign language editions
- US School/Library edition: ISBN 9780809452170.
- Dutch: Spoken, ISBN 9789061828549 (*ISBN shared between Dutch and German editions).
- German: Gespenster, ISBN 9789061828549 (*ISBN shared between Dutch and German editions).
- French: Fantômes et revenants, ISBN 9782734403074.
- Russian: Privideniia, ISBN 9785300008277.
Legends of Valor
#5
Author/Principal credit: Brendan Lehane
Cover art: N. C. Wyeth, Two Knights: A Sword Fight on Horseback from The Boy’s King Arthur (1917)
Interior illustration: includes Alicia Austin, Anne Yvonne Gilbert, Leo and Diane Dillon, John Jude Palencar, John Mulcaster Carrick., and Kinuko Y. Craft.
A heroic panorama of Cúchulainn, Finn mac Cumhaill, Sigurd and the knights of Arthur’s Round Table.
Detailed contents
Chapter One: Lords of the Chariot and the Spear: Cúchulainn, the Red Branch heroes and the education of a warrior, including Champion’s Schooling in Another World.
Chapter Two: The Cruel Demands of Honor: Heroic vows, betrayal and the tragic deaths of champions, moving from Cúchulainn to the Nibelung tradition.
Chapter Three: Brotherhood of the Round Table: Arthurian chivalry, fellowship and adventure, including Warriors on a World of Wonders.
Chapter Four: The Noblest Quest of All: The Grail quest, the moral testing of Arthur’s knights and the approaching ruin of Camelot, culminating in the Great King’s Final Battle.
Library & foreign language editions
- US School/Library edition: ISBN 9780809452217.
- Dutch: Heldensagen, ISBN 9789061828556 (*ISBN shared between Dutch and German editions).
- German: Heldensagen, ISBN 9789061828556 (*ISBN shared between Dutch and German editions).
- German second edition: Heldensagen, ISBN 9783896040084.
- French: Légendes chevaleresques, ISBN 9782734403104.
- Russian: Legendy doblesti, ISBN 9785300007928.
Night Creatures
#6
Author/Principal credit: Ellen Galford
Cover art: Matt Mahurin
Interior illustration: includes John Jude Palencar, Willi Glasauer and Anne Yvonne Gilbert.
A bestiary of beings that thrive after sunset: werewolves, vampires, shape-shifters, nightmare spirits and other monsters associated with darkness.
Detailed contents
Chapter One: Perilous Paths Through the Dark: Beowulf and Grendel, Black Annis and other beings that wait beyond the safety of the firelight.
Chapter Two: Visitations from the Realm of Shadow: Night hags, the nochnitsa, mara, Lilith and other spirits associated with sleep, nightmare and the returning dead.
Chapter Three: Blood Feasts of the Damned: Vampire traditions from several cultures, the signs by which revenants were recognised, and the protective rites used against them.
Chapter Four: The Way of the Werebeast: Werewolves, berserkers, fox women and other shape-shifters whose stories blur the border between human and animal.
Library & foreign language editions
- US School/Library edition: ISBN 9780809452347.
- Dutch: Wezens van de duisternis, ISBN 9789061828587 (*ISBN shared between Dutch and German editions).
- German: Nachtgeschöpfe, ISBN 9789061828587 (*ISBN shared between Dutch and German editions).
- French: Les Créatures de la nuit, ISBN 9782734403364.
- Russian: Prizraki nochi, ISBN 9785300006013.
Water Spirits
#7
Author/Principal credit: Tristram Potter Coffin
Cover art: John William Waterhouse, A Mermaid, 1900
Interior illustration: includes Alicia Austin, Troy Howell and Karel Šedivý.
Mermaids, selkies, nixies, river gods and treacherous lake dwellers populate a survey of supernatural water beings.
Detailed contents
Chapter One: Wellspring of the Universe: Sacred waters and Scourges from the North.
Chapter Two: Daring the Sea-gods’ Realm: Sea quests and Predators from the Primal World.
Chapter Three: Wraiths of Wind and Wave: Storm spirits and Rendezvous with a Death Ship.
Chapter Four: Perilous Borderlands: Lake and river beings and A Doomed Alliance of Earth and Water.
Library & foreign language editions
- US School/Library edition: ISBN 9780809452460.
- Dutch: Watergeesten, ISBN 9789061828617 (*ISBN shared between Dutch and German editions).
- German: Wassergeister, ISBN 9789061828617 (*ISBN shared between Dutch and German editions).
- German second edition: Wassergeister, ISBN 9783896040053.
- French: Les Génies des eaux, ISBN 9782734403494.
- Russian: Dukhi vod, ISBN 9785300007096.
Magical Beasts
#8
Author/Principal credit: Ellen Galford
Cover art: Arthur Bowen Davies, Unicorns (Legend—Sea Calm), c. 1906
Interior illustration: includes Alicia Austin, Diane and Leo Dillon, John Howe, Wayne Anderson, and Kinuko Y. Craft.
A richly illustrated menagerie of unicorns, griffins, phoenixes, basilisks and other magical creatures.
Detailed contents
Chapter One: Vestiges of Elder Days: The Minotaur, centaurs, satyrs, the Chimera, Egyptian animal gods, Fomorians, dog-headed peoples and the monkey armies of Hanuman and Ravana.
Chapter Two: Riders of the Wind: Pegasus, the feng-huang, tengu, the roc, griffins, harpies and Daedalus and Icarus, together with a wider bestiary of fabulous winged creatures.
Chapter Three: Paragon of Purity: The unicorn in classical, medieval and Christian tradition; its capture by a maiden; its place in heraldry and medicine; and the gradual retreat of the marvellous beast from the modern world.
Library & foreign language editions
- US School/Library edition: ISBN 9780809452309.
- Dutch: Fabeldieren, ISBN 9789061828570 (*ISBN shared between Dutch and German editions).
- German: Fabeltiere, ISBN 9789061828570 (*ISBN shared between Dutch and German editions).
- German second edition: Fabeltiere, ISBN 9783896040077.
- French: Bestiaire magique, ISBN 9782734403289.
- Russian: Volshebnye zhivotnye, ISBN 9785300006624.
Dwarfs
#9
Author/Principal credit: Tim Appenzeller
Cover art: Arthur Rackham, “Good Dwarf, can you not tell me where my brothers are?” from Grimm’s The Water of Life
Interior illustration: includes James C. Christensen, Wayne Anderson, John Howe and Alicia Austin.
Follows dwarfs from subterranean smiths and treasure-keepers to household beings and fairy-tale helpers.
Detailed contents
Chapter One: Stern Sons of Earth: Norse creation stories, subterranean smiths and the crafting of divine weapons and treasures.
Chapter Two: Diminutive Nobility: Dwarf kings, underground courts and costly bargains with mortals, including King Herla’s dangerous promise.
Chapter Three: An Ancient Race in Retreat: The diminishing place of dwarfs as the human world expands, and their transformation from powerful elder beings into secretive tricksters and treasure thieves.
Chapter Four: Haunters of Hearth and Hayloft: Kobolds, massariol, cluricaunes, tommyknockers, gremlins and other small spirits attached to homes, farms, mines and workshops.
Library & foreign language editions
- US School/Library edition: ISBN 9780809452255.
- Dutch: Dwergen, ISBN 9789061828563 (*ISBN shared between Dutch and German editions).
- German: Zwerge, ISBN 9789061828563 (*ISBN shared between Dutch and German editions).
- French: Gnomes et nains, ISBN 9782734403272.
- Russian: Gnomy, ISBN 9785300006020.
Spells and Bindings
#10
Author/Principal credit: Ellen Galford
Cover art: Sir Edward Burne-Jones, The Garden Court (1890), from The Legend of the Briar Rose
Interior illustration: includes Donna Neary, Roberto Innocenti, Anne Yvonne Gilbert, Alicia Austin, Julek Heller and John Howe.
A collection of tales about enchantment as both power and prison: sleeping kingdoms, compelled transformations, cursed objects and the difficult unmaking of magical bonds.
Detailed contents
Chapter One: Double-Edged Power: Tristan and Isolt’s enchanted love, Pygmalion, magical objects, Rhiannon and transformations that demonstrate how a spell can grant a wish while creating a new danger.
Chapter Two: Webs of Enchantment: The Tuatha Dé Danann, the Children of Lir, the Pied Piper and An Embowered Sleep—stories in which whole families, towns or kingdoms become trapped in magic.
Chapter Three: Deliverance from Magic’s Coils: Frog-princess traditions, Gingalin, Bluebeard, Eros and Psyche, and Dame Ragnell: tales in which courage, loyalty or the correct answer finally breaks an enchantment.
Library & foreign language editions
- US School/Library edition: ISBN 9780809452422.
- Dutch: Toverspreuken, ISBN 9789061828600 (*ISBN shared between Dutch and German editions).
- German: Zauberbann und Zaubersprüche, ISBN 9789061828600 (*ISBN shared between Dutch and German editions).
- French: Charmes et maléfices, ISBN 9782734403456.
- Russian: Chary i puty, ISBN 9785300006631.
Giants and Ogres
#11
Author/Principal credit: Tristram Potter Coffin
Cover art: Roberto Innocenti
Interior illustration: includes Alicia Austin, Matt Mahurin, Roberto Innocenti, John Howe, Barry Moser and Willi Glasauer.
A survey of colossal beings from world-shaping primordial giants to the ogres and man-eaters of folktale.
Detailed contents
Chapter One: Princes of the Cosmos: Primordial giants and The Heirs of the First World.
Chapter Two: Protectors and Providers: Noble giants and The Tests of the Green Knight.
Chapter Three: A Deepening Enmity: Ogres, hostile giants and Kilhwch and Olwen.
Chapter Four: The Twilight of Power: The giants’ decline and The Earth’s Memory.
Library & foreign language editions
- US School/Library edition: ISBN 9780809452385.
- Dutch: Reuzen en Wildemannen, ISBN 9789061828594 (*ISBN shared between Dutch and German editions).
- German: Riesen und Ungeheuer, ISBN 9789061828594 (*ISBN shared between Dutch and German editions).
- German second edition: Riesen und Ungeheuer, ISBN 9783896040039.
- French: Ogres et géants, ISBN 9782734403418.
- Russian: Velikany i lyudoyedy, ISBN 9785422409358.
Seekers and Saviors
#12
Author/Principal credit: Tristram Potter Coffin
Cover art: Viktor Vasnetsov, Ivan Tsarevich Riding the Grey Wolf (1889)
Interior illustration: includes Michael Hague.
A collection of quest narratives.
Detailed contents
Chapter One: Under the Wing of Magic: Supernatural helpers and An Undying Guardianship.
Chapter Two: Tests of Love and Loyalty: Devotion and A Slave Maiden’s Eye for Evil.
Chapter Three: Strong Arms, Sturdy Hearts: Rescuers and The Quest of the Fair Unknown.
Library & foreign language editions
- US School/Library edition: ISBN 9780809452507.
- Dutch: Sprookjesfiguren, ISBN 9789061828624 (*ISBN shared between Dutch and German editions).
- German: Rächer und Retter, ISBN 9789061828624 (*ISBN shared between Dutch and German editions).
- French: Les Héros et les humbles, ISBN 9782734403531.
- Russian: V poiskakh spaseniia, ISBN 9785300007843.
Fabled Lands
#13
Author/Principal credit: Tony Allan
Cover art: Jasper Francis Cropsey, The Spirit of War (1851)
Interior illustration: includes Michael Hague and Willi Glasauer.
The hidden geography of Atlantis, earthly paradises, islands beyond ordinary maps and kingdoms concealed by enchantment.
Detailed contents
Chapter One: Journeys Into Wonder: A sultan’s marvellous journey, Asgard, islands beyond ordinary navigation and travellers who cross unknowingly into enchanted geography.
Chapter Two: Realms of Eternal Night: Underworlds and kingdoms of the dead, including Ishtar and Tammuz, Odin and Hel, sleeping warriors and lands without the sun.
Chapter Three: A Parting of Worlds: Oisín and Niamh, Tydorel, immrama, the Green Children and other stories in which fairy time and mortal time finally separate.
Library & foreign language editions
- US School/Library edition: ISBN 9780809452545.
- Dutch: Legendarische Koninkrijken, ISBN 9789061828648 (*ISBN shared between Dutch and German editions).
- German: Verwunschene Reiche, ISBN 9789061828648 (*ISBN shared between Dutch and German editions).
- German second edition: Verwunschene Reiche, ISBN 9783896040107.
- French: Royaumes fabuleux, ISBN 9782734403579.
- Russian: Volshebnye strany, ISBN 9785300019389.
The Book of Christmas
#14
Author/Principal credit: Brendan Lehane
Cover art: Michael Hague
Interior illustration: includes Michael Hague, Alicia Austin, Susan Gallagher and John Howe.
A seasonal anthology of Christmas legend and folklore, from the Nativity and medieval miracle traditions to gift-bringers, winter spirits and household customs.
Detailed contents
Chapter One: The Eternal Moment: The Nativity and Days of Winter Magic.
Chapter Two: The Heart of Darkness: Midwinter fear and The Midnight Battle.
Chapter Three: Summoning the Sun: Solstice traditions and The Songs of Christmas.
Chapter Four: The Light Triumphant: Christmas as a season of renewal.
Library & foreign language editions
- US School/Library edition: ISBN 9780809452620.
- German: Das Weihnachtsbuch, ISBN 9789061828655.
- French: Le livre de Noël, ISBN 9782734403753.
- Russian: Kniga rozjdestva, ISBN 9785300006259.
The Fall of Camelot
#15
Author/Principal credit: Ellen Galford
Cover art: Roberto Innocenti
Interior illustration: includes Barry Moser, Alicia Austin, Troy Howell and John Howe.
The tragic conclusion of the Arthurian cycle: the Grail quest’s aftermath, the exposure of Lancelot and Guinevere, Mordred’s treachery and Arthur’s final battle.
Detailed contents
Chapter One: Arthur: Arthur’s conception, upbringing and claim to the throne.
Chapter Two: Morgause: Arthur’s unwitting incest and the conception of Mordred.
Chapter Three: Guinevere: The queen, Camelot and the awakening of older powers.
Chapter Four: Morgan: Morgan’s hostility and attempts against Arthur.
Chapter Five: Lancelot: The Lady of the Lake’s fosterling and his love for Guinevere.
Chapter Six: Mordred: Betrayal, exposure of the lovers and the breaking of the Round Table.
Chapter Seven: Gawain: Vengeance, civil war and the final battle.
Library & foreign language editions
- US School/Library edition: ISBN 9780809452583.
- German: Die Ritter der Tafelrunde, ISBN 9789061828679.
- German second edition: Die Ritter der Tafelrunde, ISBN 9783896040046.
- French: La fin du roi Arthur, ISBN 9782734403760.
- Russian: Padenie Kamelota, ISBN 9785300006037.
Magical Justice
#16
Author/Principal credit: Ellen Galford
Cover art: Roberto Innocenti
Interior illustration: includes Tim Pearce, John Howe and Kinuko Y. Craft.
A collection of folktales in which supernatural forces reward courage, generosity and fidelity – or expose greed, cruelty and broken promises.
Detailed contents
Chapter One: The Code: Rewards and punishments, including A Perilous Courtship.
Chapter Two: Fortune’s Wheel: Fate, divine favour, pride and reversals of fortune.
Chapter Three: The Mediators: Agents of justice and Paths to a Final Reckoning.
Library & foreign language editions
- US School/Library edition: ISBN 9780809452705.
- German: Triumph der Gerechtigkeit, ISBN 9789061828693.
- French: Justice magique, ISBN 9782734403876.
- Russian: Volshebnaia spravedlivost, ISBN 9785300006174.
The Lore of Love
#17
Author/Principal credit: Ellen Galford
Cover art: Eleanor Fortescue-Brickdale, The Lover’s World (1905)
Interior illustration: includes John Sibbick, Nick Harris, and Roberto Innocenti.
Love appears here as enchantment, ordeal and dangerous crossing between worlds, with mortal–supernatural marriages, taboos, transformations and doomed unions.
Detailed contents
Chapter One: Destiny’s Playthings: Divinely arranged and cursed loves.
Chapter Two: Blighted Passions: Narcissus, doomed trysts and An Ill-Starred Mating of Earth and Sea.
Chapter Three: True Love Triumphant: Lovers overcoming war, enchantment, death and the underworld.
Library & foreign language editions
- US School/Library edition: ISBN 9780809452828.
- German: Liebesglück und Liebesleid, ISBN 9789061829348.
- French: Histoires d’amour, ISBN 9782734404026.
- Russian: Skazaniia o liubvi, ISBN 9785300006679.
The Book of Beginnings
#18
Author/Principal credit: Ellen Galford
Cover art: John Sibbick
Interior illustration: includes Jennifer Eachus, David Bergen, Kinuko Y. Craft and Colin Stimpson.
Creation stories, first peoples, culture heroes and the origins of fire, death and social order are gathered into a genuinely global volume.
Detailed contents
Chapter One: Out of Chaos: Creation, paradise, earthquakes, volcanoes and Phaethon’s Folly.
Chapter Two: Celestial Lore: Sun, moon, eclipses, stars and Dark Dramas of the Firmament.
Chapter Three: The Dance of Life: The creation of humans and animals, ending with Noah’s Miraculous Voyage.
Library & foreign language editions
- US School/Library edition: ISBN 9780809452668.
- German: Mythen der Urzeit, ISBN 9789061828686.
- German second edition: Mythen der Urzeit, ISBN 9783896040060.
- French: Le Livre des commencements, ISBN 9782734403821.
- Russian: Kniga nachal, ISBN 9785300007171.
Tales of Terror
#19
Author/Principal credit: Tony Allan
Cover art: Matt Mahurin
Interior illustration: includes Graham Ward, Mark Langeneckert, Gary Kelley and John Howe.
The series at its darkest as it leans towards literary and Gothic horror: ominous houses, uncanny visitations, curses and encounters that end without the reassurance of fairy-tale justice.
Detailed contents
Tales of revenants and war: The Walking Dead of Brittany; The Implacable Army; In the Body of the Beast; and Harvest of Horrors.
Visitors, bargains and unfinished deaths: The Goblin’s Guest; An Unfinished Death; and Furies of the Far North.
Bloodguilt and supernatural reckoning: The Bloodguilt of a Royal House; A Stormy Reckoning; and The Bride of the Ghost-Chief.
Possession, dream and forbidden healing: The Kiss of Evil; Demons of the Dreamtime; and The Healer’s Secret.
Library & foreign language editions
- US School/Library edition: ISBN 9780809452781.
- German: Gruselgeschichten, ISBN 9789061829331.
- French: Histoires terrifiantes, ISBN 9782734403982.
- Russian: Skazaniia uzhasov, ISBN 9785300008284.
The Secret Arts
#20
Author/Principal credit: Ellen Galford
Cover art: John Howe
Interior illustration: includes Giles Waring, John Watkiss, Roy Coombes, Malcolm Chandler and Dante Gabriel Rossetti.
Alchemy, astrology, divination and other systems for discovering or manipulating hidden correspondences are treated as part history, part legend and part imaginative tradition.
Detailed contents
Chapter One: The Power of the Word: Sacred scripts, spoken charms and magical inscriptions.
Chapter Two: Decoding Destiny: Palmistry, numbers, doubles and divination.
Chapter Three: Arcane Harmonies: Music used to enchant or repel evil.
Chapter Four: The Witch’s Kitchen: Magical recipes and antidotes.
Chapter Five: Lapidary Lore: Stones, cosmic correspondences and alchemy.
Chapter Six: Mirrors and Metals: Reflective magic and thief-catching rites.
Chapter Seven: A Magician’s Arsenal: Defences against spiritual assault.
Library & foreign language editions
- US School/Library edition: ISBN 9780809452866.
- German: Die magischen Künste, ISBN 9789061829355.
- French: Les Secrets de la magie, ISBN 9782734404071.
- Russian: Taĭnye iskusstva, ISBN 9785300006747.
Gods and Goddesses
#21
Author/Principal credit: Ellen Dupont
Cover art: John Howe
Interior illustration: includes Jennifer Eachus, Stuart Robertson, Nick Harris, Yvonne Gilbert, Arthur Rackham and Charles Robinson.
A gallery of divine personalities and pantheons, examining creation, kingship, fertility, war, wisdom and the shifting relationship between gods and mortals.
Detailed contents
Chapter One: God-Kings of the Nile: Egyptian creation, kingship and divine order.
Chapter Two: The Passions of Olympus: Greek gods and The Morrigan, Spectral Queen of War.
Chapter Three: Denizens of Eternity: Divine worlds and A Tale of Radiance Reborn.
Chapter Four: Prideful Rulers of the Elder World: Northern gods and Doom Unleashed.
Library & foreign language editions
- US School/Library edition: ISBN 9780809452743.
- German: Göttinnen und Götter, ISBN 9789061829324.
- French: Dieux et déesses, ISBN 9782734403937.
- Russian: Bogi i bogini, ISBN 9785300005870.
