A Dictionary of Fabulous Beasts

by Richard Barber and Anne Riches

Book Overview

Mythical creatures drawn largely from medieval travellers' tales, but encompassing civilisations from the Sumerians to the Wild West.

A dictionary? No, this is really an astonishing ark filled with beasts from a fabulous zoo far more varied and entertaining than anything from ordinary natural history. From Abaia and Abath to Ziz and Zu, from the microscopic Gigelorum that nests in a mite's ear to the giant serpent Jormungandor who encircles...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0851156851
• ISBN13: 9780851156859
• Release Date: January 1971
• Publisher: Boydell Press
• Length: 168 Pages
• Weight: 0.60 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 6.1" x 9.1"

Customer Reviews

Excellent Source of Information

A well-organized volume, spanning human creation to modern times, A Dictionary of Fabulous Beasts is a great start for exploring the many subjects of Mythology and Folklore as it pertains to creatures of the imagination. Drawing only from historical accounts and documents (avoiding modern fantasy all together), the dictionary provides detailed information of well-know and not-so-well-known creatures. For Fantasy readers, the book can provide a glimpse into history and fantasy, and for the casual reader, a treasure trove of both serious and lighthearted subjects. If this book has only one downfall, it's that it is too short, and doesn't delve much into the stories surrounding the creature; only the info on the creature itself. These are both minor shortcomings, and are easily missed