In this sumptuous anthology, David Passes invites us inside the mythical and fantastical world of dragons. He has selected a magnificent mixture of heroic myths, stories and folktales from the storytelling traditions of India, Greece, England, Wales, Sweden and China. Marduck and Tiamat - Babylon Indra and Vritia - India Heracles and the Hydra - Greek Cadmus and the Golden Dragon- Greek Beowulf and the Fire Dragon - Scandanavia Saint George - England The Lambton Worm - County Durham The Gaoliang Bridge - China The Chinese Dragon's Pearl - China The Mordiford Wyvern- England

Reveals how key myths of the world present timeless truths that enrich our understanding of the world and the role humans play today.

Few aspects of American military history have been as vigorously debated as Harry Truman's decision to use atomic bombs against Japan. In this carefully crafted volume, Michael Kort describes the wartime circumstances and thinking that form the context for the decision to use these weapons, surveys the major debates related to that decision, and provides a comprehensive collection of key primary source documents that illuminate the behavior of the United States and Japan during the closing days of World War II. Kort opens with a summary of the debate over Hiroshima as it has evolved since 1945. He then provides a historical overview of thye events in question, beginning with the decision and program to build the atomic bomb. Detailing the sequence of events leading to Japan's surrender, he revisits the decisive battles of the Pacific War and the motivations of American and Japanese leaders. Finally, Kort examines ten key issues in the discussion of Hiroshima and guides readers to relevant primary source documents, scholarly books, and articles.