THE following translation was undertaken from a desire to lay before the English-speaking people the full treasury of epical beauty, folklore, and mythology comprised in The Kalevala (the Land of Heroes, the national epic of the Finns.) The Kalevala describes Finnish nature very minutely and very beautifully. Grimm says that no poem is to be compared with it in this respect. A deeper and more esoteric meaning of the Kalevala, however, points to a contest between Light and Darkness. The numerous myths of the poem are likewise full of significance and beauty, and the Kalevala should be read between the lines, in order that the full meaning of this great epic may be comprehended. The whole poem is replete with the most fascinating folk-lore about the mysteries of nature, the origin of things, the enigmas of human tears, and, true to the character of a national epic, it represents not only the poetry, but the entire wisdom and accumulated experience of a nation. One of the most notable characteristics of the Finnish mythology is the interdependence among the gods. The Finnish deities, like the ancient gods of Italy and Greece, are generally represented in pairs. They have their individual abodes and are surrounded by their respective families. The Sun and the Moon each have a consort, and sons and daughters. Only two sons of Paeivae appear in The Kalevala, one comes to aid of Wainamoinen in his efforts to destroy the mystic Fire-fish, by throwing from the heavens to the girdle of the hero, a "magic knife, silver-edged, and golden-handled;" the other son, Panu, the Fire-child, brings back to Kalevala the fire that bad been stolen by Louhi, the wicked hostess of Pohyola. 10% of the net profit from the sale of this book will be donated to charities.

The story of Fort Clark and Brackettville began with a quiet pool of water, Las Moras Spring, named by the Spanish conquistadors for the mulberry trees lining its banks. The discovery of gold in California and the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo precipitated the opening of the Lower Road from San Antonio to El Paso. To protect the spring and the travelers on the road, the U.S. government established a fort on the high ground above the spring. The town of Brackettville grew with the fort, and the area soon played host to an honor roll of American heroes. ÝÝRevealed in some 200 images, many never before published, are some of the fortís most famous alumni, including Stuart, Longstreet, Sheridan, Sherman, Bullis, Patton, and Wainwright, in addition to the little-known Medal of Honor recipients buried there. Captured here are the deeds of a legion of unsung heroes, as well as the fort and townís historic past, highlighting the Indian War era, the Seminole Scouts, and the quiet time between the World Wars. Culled from the collections of the Library of Congress, the National Archives of the U.S. Army Signal Corps, and pioneer photographer Eugene O. Goldbeck, this book is a testament to American soldiers throughout the country.

Petty explores why J.R.R. Tolkien's works continue to resonate with new generations of readers as she reveals the underlying themes of his timeless classics. Illustrations.

When her brother Hiroki disappears after a violent altercation with school bullies, Yuriko finds a magical book in his room. The book leads her to another world where she learns that Hiroki has been possessed by the evil King in Yellow, and that only she can save him...and solve the riddle of why the King is also called "Hero." -- VIZ Media