Kirjahaku

Two beautifully-written retellings of the legend of St. Christopher-which is largely allegorical-and of the real-life story of St. Cuthbert, one of the most important early Medieval Christian religious figures of northern England, by master storyteller Mary MacGregor. The legend of St. Christopher first appeared in western Europe during the ninth century, and told the story of an extraordinarily tall man named Offero who, after first serving Satan, converted to Christianity and one day unknowingly carried the young Jesus across a river. In this way he was renamed "Christopher" or the "carrier of Christ." Later martyred by pagans, Christopher was canonized by the Catholic Church, and is to this day the patron saint of travellers. There is little concrete evidence that Christopher actually existed, and the legend was most likely derived from the story of Saint Menas, a third century Egyptian in the Roman army, executed for refusing to recant his Christian faith. In addition, Christopher's river-crossing episode is most likely a retelling of the ancient Greek legend of Jason, who carried an old woman across a raging river, who was actually Hera, wife of Zeus and the goddess of woman and marriage. The story of St. Cuthbert is based on the life of an early Celtic Christian monk who, through his life and work, made famous the monasteries of Melrose and Lindisfarne in Northumbria in the Northeast of England. Famously Spartan and known for his generosity to the poor, he was accredited with the gift of healing and was known as the "Wonder Worker of Britain." He carried out missionary work all over Britain and Ireland, and founded an oratory at Dull, Scotland, which later became a monastery and then the University of St Andrews. Canonized after his death, he became the patron saint of northern England. Illustrated by Eleanor Fortescue-Brickdale.

Based on the original work by John Bunyan, this masterful retelling in simplified format contains all the essential ingredients of this seventeenth century Christian allegory. Regarded as one of the most significant works of religious English literature, the original book was written by Bunyan while in jail for preaching without official sanction. The first part tells the story of Christian, an ordinary man, whose task it is to journey from his hometown, the "City of Destruction" to his ultimate destination, the "Celestial City," or Heaven-a journey representing the path of life itself. Along the way, the story uses masterful allegories to represent various temptations in the world which can cause the traveler to veer off his path. The second part tells the story of Christian's wife, Christiana, and their four sons, as they journey with assorted others, including the guide, Greatheart, on their pilgrimage to the Celestial City. The popularity and influence of this book, first published in 1678, has been such that many of its terms have passed into popular English vernacular. It was reprinted in colonial America, and widely read in the Puritan colonies. This version has been completely reset and hand-edited, and is illustrated by Byam Shaw.

One of the most complete and concise histories of the great nation of France ever written in English, Mary MacGregor's classic work begins with the earliest recorded times of the Druids and ends just after World War I. Along the way the reader will meet and be captivated by an astonishingly long list of famous characters ranging from Vercingetorix right through to President Paul Deschanel. Follow the trials and tribulations of the inhabitants of Gaul as they grapple with the Romans and Attila the Hun. From there, read of the emergence of the Franks as the leading house of nobles, the exploits of Charlemagne, the arrival of the Vikings and their settlement in Normandy, the Crusades, the centuries-long warfare with England, the religious conflicts, the bloody events of the French Revolution, the rise and fall of Napoleon, the Franco-Prussian War and the world's first Communist revolution. The narrative ends after chronicling the epic struggle and destruction caused by the Great War of 1914-18. This compelling history, told with excitement and vigor, is fully reformatted, illustrated, and indexed. About the author: Mary MacGregor (1874-1961) was one of the most important juvenile historical authors of the early twentieth century. She specialized in classic history and European myths, and achieved fame for her ability to convert complex themes into simple storylines.

Illustrated by A. D. McCormick A sweeping account from master history storyteller Mary MacGregor dealing with the tumultuous period of the Eighty Years' War, or "Dutch Revolt," and its main protagonists, the Spanish King Philip II, William I, Prince of Orange, the Duke of Alba, Don John of Austria, and the Duke of Anjou, all set against the dramatic and violent story of the establishment of the first modern republic in Europe. Readers will discover the close relationship between the Dutch independence drive and the ongoing religious conflict of the time-and the brutal methods used by the Catholic Church, through the Spanish royal house, in its efforts to suppress the Protestantism which gripped much of the rebellious Dutch provinces. Murder, betrayal, and calumny of unimaginable extent steadily dragged the rebellious Dutch into war with their Spanish overlords. The conflict was to exact a toll of countless lives-those of innocents and protagonists alike-before the revolt led to the formation of the independent Dutch Republic. Cover image: The Siege of Breda by Pieter Snayers (1592-1666).

The marvelous Germanic legends of the Nibelungenlied-The Song of the Nibelungs-retold especially for children are a wonderful way to introduce young people to an enthralling part of European culture and heritage. The Nibelungenlied is an epic poem in Middle High German, drawn from ancient Germanic heroic motifs (the "Nibelungensaga"), from around the year 1100.This version tells the complex tale of Siegfried and his life's adventures, beginning with the time he was hidden away in the care of the dwarf Mimer, his acquisition of the magic sword Balmung, and the slaying of the dragon Regin. As a result of being bathed in the dragon's blood-except for a small patch on his back-Siegfried became invincible and a great hero-warrior. It continues with the acquisition of his Cloak of Darkness, his wand, his seizure of the dwarves' treasure, his battle with Queen Brunhild of Isenland and his wooing of the maiden princess Kriemhild. Finally, it tells of his betrayal and death, stabbed in the back by a traitor who had been guided to his one vulnerable spot.Now completely reset and including its original illustrations, this classic work is set to enchant an entirely new generation of readers.

A classic Eurocentric educational work originally directed at younger readers but now suppressed by the present-day anti-European political correctness which pervades educational curricula all over the world. This easy-to-read book provides a concise overview of the amazing world of the Vikings, from the time of their first appearance in Norway, Sweden, and Denmark. As this work reveals, the Vikings were not just a band of sea-pirates who roved the seas in search of plunder, but rather a race of brave and hardy Northmen who became sea-rovers because the rights and the freedom which their fathers had cherished were being taken from them.In this book you will read of their belief systems, their adventures at home, and their exploits throughout Europe. The Vikings left their imprint in England, Ireland, France, Russia, and even reached as far south as Constantinople. They discovered, named, and settled Iceland and Greenland, and tried to settle Vinland, or North America, hundreds of years before Columbus crossed the ocean. The lives of some of their greatest heroes are discussed to provide a fascinating insight into their lifestyles, and finally the book details their slow and haphazard conversion to Christianity which finally halted their sea-faring exploits.

Dante's Divine Comedy, written in the fourteenth century, is one of the greatest epic poems ever written in Italian, and it certainly ranks among the world's greatest literary undertakings. This version, designed to introduce the Divine Comedy to younger readers (but older ones will find it equally readable), tells the story of each of the canticas, or main parts of the Divine Comedy: the Inferno, Purgatory, and Paradise.The Inferno, possibly the most famous cantica, tells of Dante's journey to the Underworld, accompanied by the poet Virgil. There they see how each class of sinner is punished according to the extent of their misdeeds.Purgatory tells of Dante's and Virgil's ascent of the Mountain of Purgatory. It has seven terraces, corresponding to the seven deadly sins: Wrath, Envy, Pride, Sloth, Lust, Gluttony, and Greed. Paradise tells how Beatrice guides Dante into the celestial spheres of Heaven, and finishes with Dante coming before God in person.This marvelous retelling of the Divine Comedy has been completely reset and benefits from a glossary to help guide the modern reader through this classic work.

Two beautifully-written retellings of the legend of St. Christopher-which is largely allegorical-and of the real-life story of St. Cuthbert, one of the most important early Medieval Christian religious figures of northern England, by master storyteller Mary MacGregor.The legend of St. Christopher first appeared in western Europe during the ninth century, and told the story of an extraordinarily tall man named Offero who, after first serving Satan, converted to Christianity and one day unknowingly carried the young Jesus across a river. In this way he was renamed "Christopher" or the "carrier of Christ." Later martyred by pagans, Christopher was canonized by the Catholic Church, and is to this day the patron saint of travellers.The story of St. Cuthbert is based on the life of an early Celtic Christian monk who, through his life and work, made famous the monasteries of Melrose and Lindisfarne in Northumbria in the Northeast of England. Famously Spartan and known for his generosity to the poor, he was accredited with the gift of healing and was known as the "Wonder Worker of Britain." He carried out missionary work all over Britain and Ireland, and founded an oratory at Dull, Scotland, which later became a monastery and then the University of St Andrews. Canonized after his death, he became the patron saint of northern England.

Based on the original work by John Bunyan, this masterful retelling in simplified format contains all the essential ingredients of this seventeenth century Christian allegory. Regarded as one of the most significant works of religious English literature, the original book was written by Bunyan while in jail for preaching without official sanction.The first part tells the story of Christian, an ordinary man, whose task it is to journey from his hometown, the "City of Destruction" to his ultimate destination, the "Celestial City," or Heaven-a journey representing the path of life itself.Along the way, the story uses masterful allegories to represent various temptations in the world which can cause the traveler to veer off his path. The second part tells the story of Christian's wife, Christiana, and their four sons, as they journey with assorted others, including the guide, Greatheart, on their pilgrimage to the Celestial City.The popularity and influence of this book, first published in 1678, has been such that many of its terms have passed into popular English vernacular. It was reprinted in colonial America, and widely read in the Puritan colonies. This version has been completely reset and hand-edited.