Rodney Castleden

The Ultimate A-Z of the Symbols, History, and Spirituality of the Legendary Celts

The Element Encyclopedia of the Celts

Eyewitness to history

Inventors have been inventing since time began, but which inventions do we value the most? A recent poll put the bicycle at number one on the basis that it is a simple, ecologically sound means of transport, and universally useful. It was seen as the best thing since sliced bread – except that sliced bread is a much more recent innovation than the bicycle; it was invented in 1927 by Otto Rohwedder. Tracing the origins of more than 230 inventions in chronological order, this book captures the essence of invention from 500,000 BC to the modern day, showing the historical significance of each and how ultimately their creation changed the world.

Inventions that Changed the World

Describes the Bronze Age civilization and culture of the ancient Minoans

Life in Bronze Age Crete

Minoans

Oameni care au schimbat lumea

Following on from Rodney Castleden's best-selling study Minoans, this major contribution to our understanding of the crucial Mycenaean period clearly and effectively brings together research and knowledge we have accumulated since the discovery of the remains of the civilization of Mycenae in the 1870s. In lively prose, informed by the latest research and using a full bibliography and over 100 illustrations, this vivid study delivers the fundamentals of the Mycenaean civilization including its culture, hierarchy, economy and religion. Castleden introduces controversial views of the Mycenaean palaces as temples, and studies their impressive sea empire and their crucial interaction with the outside Bronze Age world before discussing the causes of the end of their civilization. Providing clear, easy information and understanding, this is a perfect starting point for the study of the Greek Bronze Age.

The Mycenaeans

In Vikings, historian Rodney Castleden successfully separates the truth from Norse myth and examines the achievements of the Viking Age—the people, their artistry, technological skills, and seamanship. At the gates of Valhalla, Odin, the God of War and Death, welcomed the bravest of the slain warriors arriving in flaming longships for their final battle. It is a fiery legend still celebrated annually in the Shetland Islands, 150 miles northeast of Scotland, where Vikings ruled for 500 years. In the streets of Lerwick, modern-day Norse descendants form vast torch-lit processions, before burning a sacrificial longship in a Festival of Fire called Up Helly Aa! From the late 8th century, when Viking raiders first appeared, to the end of the 11th century, Scandinavian men and women traveled to many parts of the world, from Newfoundland to Byzantium, in a cultural expansion that lasted for 300 years. But tales of terrifying berserkers may have been the mere propaganda of contemporary Christian chroniclers. Beyond the blood and brutality of legend, Viking colonists shared their culture and craftsmanship, leaving behind an enduring legacy. Learn more about the culture and history of the Vikings, and also when to separate myth from truth, in this intriguing book from the Oxford People series.

Warriors, Raiders, and Masters of the Sea

Vikings

50 Brilliant Minds in the Last 100 Years

Genius

"A most insightful treatment of the seemingly mythic events that make up part of the foundation of Western history . . . an excellent book." —The NYMAS Review Thirty-three hundred years ago, Agamemnon, king of Mycenae in Greece, attacked the city of Troy in western Anatolia. The bloody siege that followed gave rise to one of the most famous legends of the ancient world, and the search for the truth behind the legend has intrigued scholars ever since. In this fascinating new investigation, Rodney Castleden reconsiders all the evidence in order to establish the facts and give a historical basis to the most potent myth of ancient warfare.

The Attack on Troy

A comprehensive guide of Celtic history and culture, THE ELEMENT ENCYCLOPEDIA OF THE CELTS tells the stories of these grand peoples and their way of life, including their heroic gods and goddesses, incredible myths and legends, and their everyday lives through their language, customs, and society. Encompassing their iron-age beginnings, European colonization, the various strands of 'Celticness' (race, politics, and culture), as well as the Celtic Tiger of today, this encyclopedia gets to the very heart of Celtic origin and meaning, as well as delving into the cultural and mythical background that draws so many to claim their Celtic roots today.Including:,*The Celtic People and Their Way of Life,*Celtic Places,*Celtic Religion,*Myths, Legends, and Stories,*Symbols, Ideas, and Archetypes,*Celtic Twilight and RevivalAccompanied by illustrations and maps, which show the spread of Celts across the globe, as well as the symbols of Celtic mythology and religion

Serial killers appear to be sexually dysfunctional and have a low self-esteem. Their methodical rampages are often a part of an elaborate fantasy that builds to a climax at the moment of their murderous outburst. Serial killers generally murder strangers with cooling off periods between each crime. Many enjoy cannibalism, necrophilia and keep trophy-like body parts as mementos of their work. Serial killers are sadistic in nature. Some return to crime scenes or grave sites of their victims to fantasize about their deeds. Many like to insert themselves in the investigation of their crimes and some enjoy taunting authorities with letters or carefully placed pieces of evidence.

Serial Killers

Rodney Castleden explores the purpose of great prehistoric projects like Avebury and Stonehenge and the nature of the society which built them.

Britain 3000 BC

Thoroughly researched, Rodney Castleden's Minoans: Life in Bronze Age Crete here sues the results of recent research to produce a comprehensive new vision of the peoples of Minoan Crete. Since Sir Arthur Evans rediscovered the Minoans in the early 1900s, we have defined a series of cultural traits that make the 'Minoan personality': elegant, graceful and sophisticated, these nature lovers lived in harmony with their neighbours, while their fleets ruled the seas around Crete. This, at least, is the popular view of the Minoans. But how far does the later work of archaeologists in Crete support this view? Drawing on his experience of being actively involved in research on landscapes processes and prehistory for the last twenty years, Castleden writes clearly and accessibly to provide a text essential to the study of this fascinating subject.

Minoan Life in Bronze Age Crete

This beautifully photographed book celebrates 60 of the grandest and most historically significant castles.

The Historic Castles of Ireland, Scotland and Wales

Castles of the Celtic Lands

The latest title in the much-loved Element Encyclopedia series, The Element Encyclopedia of Celts explores the history, culture, and mythology of these great peoples.

Castleden suggests that there is no one `meaning' or `purpose' for Stonehenge, that from its very beginning it has filled a variety of needs.

The Making of Stonehenge

50 Brilliant Minds in the Last 100 Years is a collection of both conventional and controversial inventors, entrepreneurs, scientists, and philosophers. This book is a perfect library addition for any reader who wants to be inspired and informed about modern minds and their ideas. The book offers you up-close, personal access to the fifty most brilliant modern minds that comprise our line-up. Complete with biographical information as well as detailed explanations of their theories and achievements. The book contains the usual suspects such as Albert Einstein and Stephen Hawking. These traditionally-accepted geniuses rub shoulders with enfant terribles like the unorthodox economist Emily Oster and Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg, making for an explosive and often controversial look at this fascinating topic.

50 Brilliant Minds of the Last 100 Years

The climax of the Stone Age in Britain, the Neolithic period (4700-2000BC), was a period of startling achievement. The British Isles are rich in Neolithic sites, which give us evidence of a complex and surprisingly developed archaic society. The author surveys 1100 secular and ceremonial sites in Britain, selecting some for detailed explanation; from these a sense of the diversity and dynamism of the living Neolithic communities emerges. He presents a comprehensive, profusely illustrated and up-to-date view of the Neolithic, organised by county. Archaeologists and prehistorians will find this book of interest and it should prove indispensable to students of archaeology as a source of information about the British Neolithic.

New Stone Age sites of England, Scotland and Wales

Neolithic Britain

Serial Killers is a collection of factual stories about some of the world's most notorious serial murderers.

Rodney Castleden

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