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Basilisks and Beowulf

Monsters in the Anglo-Saxon World
By Tim Flight
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3.89 goodreads logo

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Check link for latest rating. ( 84 ratings, 21 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
Basilisks and Beowulf by Tim Flight delves into the fascinating interplay between history and myth within the context of medieval literature and legend. The book explores how mythical creatures like basilisks and dragons have been woven into the tapestry of historical narratives, particularly through epic tales such as Beowulf. It examines the influence of such creatures on cultural and military history, offering a unique perspective on the coexistence of myth and reality in the medieval era.
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Format: Paperback / softback
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

This book may appeal to you if you’re intrigued by the blend of myth and medieval history, exploring how legendary creatures like basilisks intertwined with the culture and literature of the time. Tim Flight offers thoughtful insights that might captivate both history enthusiasts and fans of epic tales.

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A fascinating look at the Anglo-Saxons’ obsession with monsters.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

This book addresses a simple question: why were the Anglo-Saxons obsessed with monsters, many of which did not exist?

Drawing on literature and art, theology and a wealth of first-hand evidence, Basilisks and Beowulf reveals a people huddled at the edge of the known map, using the fantastic and the grotesque as a way of understanding the world around them and their place within it.

For the Anglo-Saxons, monsters helped to distinguish the sacred and the profane; they carried God's message to mankind, exposing His divine hand in creation itself. At the same time, monsters were agents of disorder, seeking to kill people, conquer their lands and challenge what it meant to be human even. Learning about where monsters lived and how they behaved allowed the Anglo-Saxons to situate themselves in the world, as well as to apprehend something of the divine plan. It is for these reasons that monsters were at the very centre of their worldview. From map monsters to demons, dragons to Leviathan, we neglect them at our peril.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Basilisks and Beowulf by Tim Flight has received praise for its exploration of Anglo-Saxon monsters and their cultural significance. The book is noted for its deep dive into the imagined creatures of the time, such as the blemmyes and cynocephali, and how these monsters were linked to fears and societal boundaries of the medieval period. Reviewers commend Flight's engaging prose and the way he connects these ancient fears with modern ideas of monsters, offering a comprehensive examination of their role in both literature and historical context. Readers interested in the history and literature of monsters find it enlightening and thought-provoking.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781789147742

Publisher: Reaktion Books

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 01 August 2023

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Reaktion Books

Illustration: 20 illustrations

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Width: 129.0mm

Height: 198.0mm

Weight: 250g

Pages: 264

Collections

European History Health & Wellness History & Archaeology History & Military Non-Fiction Self-Help & Personal Development Tim Flight

About the Author

Tim Flight studied at Royal Holloway, University of London, and Magdalen College, Oxford, from which he obtained a doctorate in Anglo-Saxon literature in 2016. Since then, he has been writing full time and has contributed to History Today and BBC History Magazine, among many other publications.

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  • Basilisks and Beowulf
    This book addresses a simple question: why were the Anglo-Saxons obsessed with monsters, many of which did not exist? Drawing on literature and art, theology, and a wealth of first-hand evidence, Basilisks and Beowulf reveals a people huddled at the edge of the known map, using the fantastic and the grotesque as a way of understanding the world around them...
    By Tim Flight
    Hardback
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