Enthralled by a line from the chronicle of a sixteenth-century monk, which said that the Incas 'flew like birds' over the jungle, and by the recurring theme of flying in Peruvian folklore, Tahir Shah set out to discover whether the Incas really did fly or glide above the jungles of Peru. Or was the Spanish cleric alluding to flight of a different kind - flight inspired by a powerful hallucinogen? After gathering equipment in London - and advice, not least from Wilfred Thesiger - the long quest begins. First, to the mountains of Peru and a trek to Machu Picchu, the Incas' most sacred city. Then on to the mountain city of Cusco and a mysterious island on the great glittering expanse of Lake Titicaca. Picking up clues as he goes, the author's trail takes him on to the coast and through the desert, to the immense animal-like etchings which form the Nazca Lines, and a remote burial ground for 30,000 mummified corpses. And finally to an epic river journey up the Amazon to discover the secrets of the Shuar, a tribe of infamous savagery living in the deep jungle of the Upper Amazon. In the course of this journey we learn much about the Spanish treatment of the Incas, about Peruvian folklore and magic, about the great but brief Amazon rubber boom of the nineteenth century, about head-shrinking, shamanic knowledge and plant-based hallucinogens. Even for a traveller so used to surreal adventures, there are many strange encounters and physical challenges - gruesome but often hilarious - among madmen and dreamsers, sorcerers, con-men and jungle experts, before Tahir Shah can at last discover the truth about the Birdmen of Peru.

A true story about one woman's journey of love, death, murder, political power, deception, the supernatural, and consciousness. Tracey Damron was born into a life of privilege, a life that seemed destined to continue on its path when she married Steve Nunn, the son of a former governor of Kentucky. What follows, however is something quite a bit different than what she expected. Thrust into a world of love, death, murder, political power, and deception, she watches as five men she loves die. In the end, the only way to survive- and thrive- is to turn inward and gather strength from within. A mesmerizing tale that is as uplifting as it is unsettling, this autobiographical journey from shell- shocked socialite to spiritually enlightened shaman is almost too incredible to believe- yet it is entirely true. Guided by the recurring appearance of real- life feathers, she is able to see a different path for herself-and is strong enough to follow it. Damron's fearlessness in opening up the details of her past and the contents of the diary she kept is an extraordinary look behind the scenes of a very public family. Exposing the core of the American Dream gone septic as it demonstrates how to transcend circumstances to attain a greater, more loving spiritual abundance, her profoundly moving story will open your heart to the orders of your life's possibilities. Tracey L. Damron was married to Kentucky politians Supreme Court Justice Will T. Scott and convicted murder ex-state representative Steve Nunn, the son of Kentucky legend and former governor Louie B. Nunn. Through these experiences of death, Tracey has come to realize that it doesn't take a near-death experience to see the Light. Death has served her as a teacher, opening Tracey to the Light during her life journey.

“Absolutely unforgettable.” —Kendare Blake, #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Three Dark Crowns series “A beautifully told story about justice, sisterhood, and warrior women.” —Shea Ernshaw, New York Times bestselling author of The Wicked Deep “Epic in the truest sense.” —Quill and Quire An Ember in the Ashes meets Three Dark Crowns in this lush debut fantasy novel about a girl who disguises herself as a boy to join a secret group of warriors that ride phoenixes into battle. I had a sister, once… In a world ruled by fierce warrior queens, a grand empire was built upon the backs of Phoenix Riders—legendary heroes who soared through the sky on wings of fire—until a war between two sisters ripped it all apart. I promised her the throne would not come between us. Sixteen years later, Veronyka is a war orphan who dreams of becoming a Phoenix Rider from the stories of old. After a shocking betrayal from her controlling sister, Veronyka strikes out alone to find the Riders—even if that means disguising herself as a boy to join their ranks. But it is a fact of life that one must kill or be killed. Rule or be ruled. Just as Veronyka finally feels like she belongs, her sister turns up and reveals a tangled web of lies between them that will change everything. And meanwhile, the new empire has learned of the Riders’ return and intends to destroy them once and for all. Sometimes the title of queen is given. Sometimes it must be taken. Crown of Feathers is an epic fantasy about love’s incredible power to save—or to destroy. Interspersed throughout is the story of Avalkyra Ashfire, the last Rider queen, who would rather see her empire burn than fall into her sister’s hands.

Over 400 photos of representative feathers from 379 species.

This classic South American travel book tells the true story behind an iconic symbol--Provided by publisher.

Choctaw variant of Aesop's fable, The Tortoise and the Hare, in which Turkey assists Turtle in defeating Rabbit.

The world is balanced on the edge of a knife, and war is almost certain between the empire and the Phoenix Riders. Veronyka finally got her wish to join the Riders, but while she's supposed to be in training, all she really wants to do is fly out to defend the villages of Pyra from the advancing empire. Tristan has been promoted to Master Rider, but he has very different ideas about the best way to protect their people than his father, the commander. Sev has been sent to spy on the empire, but maintaining his cover may force him to fight on the wrong side of the war. And Veronyka's sister, Val, is determined to regain the empire she lost--even if it means inciting the war herself. As tensions reach a boiling point, the characters all find themselves drawn together into a fight that will shape the course of the empire--and determine the future of the Phoenix Riders. Each must decide how far they're willing to go--and what they're willing to lose in the process.