Ernest L. Abel

Myths from the ancient world usually have some supernatural element, a component often generated from a particular intoxicant. These substances promoted a variety of states including possession by the gods, liberation of the soul or a communion with the spirit world. From Acan, the Mayan god of intoxicating drinks, to Zagreus, the first incarnation of the Greek god Dionysus, this encyclopedia encompasses intoxicant-related stories from world mythology that explain the origins of a particular intoxicant or how that intoxicant was involved in creating a particular culture. Entries are arranged alphabetically without regard to category (e.g., gods, intoxicants, places, and rites). Different versions of a single myth are presented when pertinent to the overriding theme. Entries record the referenced story, the identity of the culture in which the myth originated, and when applicable, information about related plant sources and pharmacological effects. Cross-references are noted in bold and sources appear at the end of each entry. Appendices group entries by category and by place of origin.

A Worldwide Dictionary of Gods, Rites, Intoxicants and Places

Intoxication in Mythology

Edith Martindale

Barbara E. Buckley

Toward a Sociology and Psychology of Graffiti

The Handwriting on the Wall

Simone Abel

Moon Madness

Certain disorders tend to occur in some ethnic groups more than others. In 2001, McFarland published the author's Jewish Genetic Disorders (superb guide...outstanding writing and well-organized text...current and comprehensive...exceptional--Library Journal). This new work covers genetic disorders that have been noted to occur with relatively high frequency in Arab populations or that are unique to them. It begins with a discussion of the basic facts about genetics and genetic diseases, and who the Arab people are and why certain genetic disorders are more common in this population. The genetic disorders are then categorized as follows: blood, cardiovascular, central nervous system, connective tissue, endocrine system, metabolic, neuromuscular, respiratory, sensory, skeletal, and skin. For each category, the disorders are examined in terms of symptoms, frequency, cause, the occasional Faustian Bargain, diagnosis, transmission, treatment, and prevention. References for more information are also provided. The book concludes with information on genetic counseling for Arab-Americans.

A Layman's Guide

Arab Genetic Disorders

References to journal articles that are considered important in reporting on smoking and its effects on the fetus. Also includes foreign language titles. Topical arrangement. Each entry gives bibliographical information and annotation. Author index.

Smoking & Reproduction An Annot Bibl

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome: An annotated and comprehensive bibliography

In cultures throughout human history people have believed that some part of themselves continued to exist after they died. Part of that belief is that living can influence what happens to the dead in the afterlife, and the dead can return from the afterlife to affect the living. Death Gods: An Encyclopedia of the Rulers, Evil Spirits, and Geographies of the Dead describes the many ways the afterlife—especially that part of the afterlife commonly known as Hell—has been characterized in myths from around the world. The hundreds of entries provide readers with a guide to the afterlife as portrayed in these myths - its geography, its rulers, its inhabitants, how they got there, and what happens after their arrival. While the Devil is a prominent resident and ruler of the afterworld in many religions, especially Christianity, this book examines many other versions of Hell whether presided over by the Devil, Hades, or one of the many other rulers of the dead. Death Gods provides concise encyclopedic entries on all aspects of the mythology of the afterlife: The underworlds form the myths of cultures from across the globe—for example, Xibalba, the underworld of the Quiche Maya; Di Yu, the underground realm of the dead in Chinese mythology; the gods and demons of the afterlife—the Hindu god of death and justice Yama; Ahriman, the evil twin of the benevolent god Ahura Mazda in Zoroastrian mythology; Buso, the invisible ghouls who haunt graveyards and feed on human corpses in Philippine mythology. The volume includes an extensive bibliography of the most useful resources for understanding the mythology of death and the afterlife.

Ernest L. Abel

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