Gods and mortals collide in this spellbinding retelling of a legend from classic Greek mythology, the first in the epic Olympus Trilogy. A prophecy condemns him, a goddess binds him, but wisdom can set Odysseus free . . . Young Prince Odysseus is about to have his world torn apart. He has travelled to the oracle at Pytho to be anointed as heir to his island kingdom, but instead a terrible secret is revealed, one that tears down every pillar of his life and marks him out for death. Outcast by his family and on the run, Odysseus is offered sanctuary by Athena, goddess of wisdom, and thrust headfirst into the secret war between the gods. But can his wits, and his skill as a warrior, keep him ahead of their power games—and alive? “If you like magic and mayhem wrapped around ancient historical legends, this cup of nectar has your name on it. Recommended.” —Historical Novel Society “A refreshing, modern take of Odysseus’ story. It has humor and exciting action.” —Book Rambler

The Peace of the Gods takes a new approach to the study of Roman elites' religious practices and beliefs, using current theories in psychology, sociology, and anthropology, as well as cultural and literary studies. Craige Champion focuses on what the elites of the Middle Republic (ca. 250–ca. 100 BCE) actually did in the religious sphere, rather than what they merely said or wrote about it, in order to provide a more nuanced and satisfying historical reconstruction of what their religion may have meant to those who commanded the Roman world and its imperial subjects. The book examines the nature and structure of the major priesthoods in Rome itself, Roman military commanders' religious behaviors in dangerous field conditions, and the state religion's acceptance or rejection of new cults and rituals in response to external events that benefited or threatened the Republic. According to a once-dominant but now-outmoded interpretation of Roman religion that goes back to the ancient Greek historian Polybius, the elites didn't believe in their gods but merely used religion to control the masses. Using that interpretation as a counterfactual lens, Champion argues instead that Roman elites sincerely tried to maintain Rome's good fortune through a pax deorum or "peace of the gods." The result offers rich new insights into the role of religion in elite Roman life.

There are few heroes so mighty as Hamilcar Bear-Eater – but when an ancient skaven warlock with a thirst for godhood seeks Hamilcar's immortal soul, will his martial prowess and uncanny skill be enough to ensure survival? Throughout Sigmar’s centuries-long crusade against Chaos in the Mortal Realms, there has never been a hero like Hamilcar Bear-Eater, famed Lord-Castellant of the Astral Templars. Would Gardus have charged headlong into the stronghold of Uxor Untamed with a mere handful of warrior at his back? No. Would Vandus have had the foresight or magnetism to drink himself euphoric, start a war with the Skarabrak lodge, and then wake come morning to a sore head and fifty thousand moonclan berserkers avowed to Sigmar’s cause? No, no and no. Only Hamilcar. But when an ancient skaven warlock with a thirst for godhood turns his attention towards Hamilcar’s divine soul, the Bear-Eater knows he will have to call upon his martial prowess and uncanny wits just to survive. Because his next death could be his last.

With no memory of his past, a lone hero must fight two battles—one to understand his identity and one to defeat the demon that now plagues Faerûn Demascus wakes up on the cold stone slab of an ancient altar. He doesn’t know who he is. He doesn’t know where he’s from. He doesn’t even know his own name until a stranger tells it to him. But someone—or something—wants to kill him. This he knows with the certainty of the grave. At the same time, a demon from a dead universe—a gift from the Chained God—is freed from its fossilized prison. Its essence takes root in the nightmare reality of the living, sparking a transformation once thought halted by forgotten heroes. Dodging knives, uncovering clues left by his past life, and dueling demons, Demascus must figure out who he is, who his enemies are, and what battles he is fighting. Along the way, he will discover that he is the last of the forgotten heroes—the only thing that stands between the light of the world and the phantasmagorical torments of the Abyss.

Using the Bible as my structural outline, I have, with much imagination, charted the story of the spirit world, as angels, demons, God, and Satan struggle to claim ownership of the human race. The climax of this age-old battle is the appearance of God's champion, Jesus, and the solution He alone offers to each one of us. The story begins in eternity past and concludes in eternity yet to come. I hope you can identify yourself somewhere in the stream of traffic, and, in the knowledge of the accomplishment God's Champion made real, you can with thanksgiving write a personal postscript, "And we lived happily ever after."

- A beautiful four-color, illustrated book with many pictures from the exciting world of water sports.- Kristi Overton-Johnson is one of the sport's most decorated and celebrated champions.