Written in a lively and contemporary style, Myths of the World presents the best of the great mythologies that have enthralled listeners and readers across the centuries. It is organised by region into 18 myth-making cultures - read about the quests of Gawain in the ancient forests of Britain and the legendary heroism of El Cid in Spain; learn how the Spider Women in North America used her gifts, and what the Mongolian shamans used the shoulder blades of sheep for.

Cradles of civilization: Ancient Egypt ; Mesopotamia ; Greece and Rome -- Europe, From the Atlantic to the Urals: The Celtic world ; The Viking and Germanic worlds ; The Middle ages ; The Slavic East -- From Persia to the Far East : Persia ; India ; Tibet and Mongolia ; China ; Japan -- From Pole to Pole, The Americas: The Arctic ;North America ; Mesoamerica ; South America -- The Southern World: Africa ; Australasia.