Christian Legends (Library of the World's Myths and Legends)

Describes myths associated with the Protestant and Catholic faiths, including stories about the Creation, the Virgin Mary, hell and the afterlife, the lives of saints and martyrs, and legends of the Holy Grail

YA Each of these sumptuously illustrated volumes will be a valuable asset to high-school libraries. Most of Christian Legends and Jewish Legends is devoted to medieval stories about Christian saints and Old Testament Patriarchs, topics which are fascinating and will appeal in this current era of religious resurgence. European Mythology maintains the high quality of the series. Simpson does a splendid job not only of bringing to life the network of unofficial beliefs which persisted alongside Christianity for centuries (fairies, vampires, etc.), but also explains and explores an array of folk customs such as wassailing and exorcism. The book's clear prose will make the scholarly information it offers accessible to mature students, while its lucid illustrations will offer a great deal to students of every ability. This book covers in one volume what Time Life's ``Enchanted World'' series does in many. Tom Bonnell, Episcopal High School, Bellaire
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