A gripping and groundbreaking history of how ancient cultures developed and used biological, chemical, and other unconventional weapons of war Flamethrowers, poison gases, incendiary bombs, the large-scale spreading of disease: are these terrifying agents of warfare modern inventions? Not by a long shot. In this riveting history of the origins of unconventional war, Adrienne Mayor shows that cultures around the...

The fascinating story of how the fossils of dinosaurs, mammoths, and other extinct animals influenced some of the most spectacular creatures of classical mythology Griffins, Centaurs, Cyclopes, and Giants—these fabulous creatures of classical mythology continue to live in the modern imagination through the vivid accounts that have come down to us from the ancient Greeks and Romans. But what if...

Adrienne Mayor is renowned for exploring the borders of history, science, archaeology, anthropology and popular knowledge, finding historical realities and scientific insights—glimmering, long-buried nuggets of truth—embedded in myth, legends and folklore. Combing through ancient texts and obscure sources, she has spent decades prospecting for intriguing wonders and marvels, historical mysteries, diverting anecdotes and hidden gems from ancient, medieval and modern...

Amazons—fierce warrior women dwelling on the fringes of the known world—were the mythic archenemies of the ancient Greeks. Heracles and Achilles displayed their valour in duels with Amazon queens, and the Athenians revelled in their victory over a powerful Amazon army. In historical times, Cyrus of Persia, Alexander the Great, and the Roman general Pompey tangled with Amazons. But just...

The burnt-red badlands of Montana's Hell Creek are a vast graveyard of the Cretaceous dinosaurs that lived 68 million years ago. Those hills were, much later, also home to the Sioux, the Crows, and the Blackfeet, the first people to encounter the dinosaur fossils exposed by the elements. What did Native Americans make of these stone skeletons, and how did...

The fascinating untold story of how the ancients imagined robots and other forms of artificial life—and even invented real automated machines. The first robot to walk the earth was a bronze giant called Talos. This wondrous machine was created not by MIT Robotics Lab, but by Hephaestus, the Greek god of invention. More than 2,500 years ago, long before medieval...

Machiavelli praised his military genius. European royalty sought out his secret elixir against poison. His life inspired Mozart's first opera, while for centuries poets and playwrights recited bloody, romantic tales of his victories, defeats, intrigues, concubines, and mysterious death. But until now, no modern historian has recounted the full story of Mithradates, the ruthless king and visionary rebel who challenged...

From acclaimed folklorist and historian Adrienne Mayor, an enchanting collection of the ancient myths that emerged out of the wonders and disasters of the natural world. Mythopedia is a fun, fact-filled A-Z treasury of myths inspired by natural events. Bringing together fifty legends from antiquity to the present, this delightfully entertaining book takes you around the world to explore sunken...

Twelve years after they were exposed and discredited in the book Dirty Politics, some of the most cynical people in New Zealand politics are back. The epitome is Jordan Williams, with his abysmal attitudes to women, morality-free fundraising as a lobbyist for the tobacco industry and – worst and most destructive in New Zealand’s recent history – him and his...

Bring Christmas closer one day at a time with this show-stopping Wasgij Advent Calendar - Christmas TV Special! There are 24 doors to open, each with its own 54-piece puzzle inside. It’s the busiest time of the year for Santa, not only because of all the presents he needs to deliver, but also because of the countless movies and TV...

Fiddlies, 3D printed animals, to fiddle with! Price is for one Fiddlie Design is sent randomly

A BOLD AND BITING SATIRE. WILL HAVE YOU GASPING TO THE FINAL PAGE — Nita Prose WICKEDLY FUNNY, BEAUTIFULLY WRITTEN AND FRIGHTENINGLY PERCEPTIVE — Abigail Dean INVENTIVE, ADDICTIVE, A WILD RIDE — Ashley Audrain SHOT THROUGH WITH HUMOUR AND LACED WITH DARKNESS — Clare Mackintosh The Stepford Wives meets The Handmaid's Tale — Hannah Deitch My name was Natalie Heller...

Window Designer - Bring amazing spiral Spirograph designs to your windows and mirrors! New Window Designer Tool - Press and hold the Window Designer tool firmly against a surface, and the Cyclex wheel makes it simple to draw intricate spiral designs! Can be compatible with other wet-erase markers. Fun for Kids - This Spirograph set is perfect for kids ages...

THE INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLING PHENOMENON'For anything to be truly good, there must be love in it. Nothing is what it's supposed to be if love is not at the core.' One morning, a stranger arrives in the town of Golden. No one knows who he is or where he came from…His name is Theo and he's arrived there by chance –...

For real life - Bluey and her family have landed! This Bluey Tonie Set includes Bluey, Bingo, and Muffin, each packed with their very best adventures. From Grannies and Duck Cake disasters to Bin Night, Takeaway trouble, and full-on Muffin mayhem, there’s something for every kind of little listener. Expect big laughs, big feelings, and a few “trifficult” moments along...

Honour his legacy with the greatest gift of all—his story. The Official Hear Your Story Collection Your dad's story is more than just memories—it's a journey filled with wisdom, experiences, and defining moments that shaped his life. Dad, I Want to Hear Your Story is a guided journal that gives him the chance to share those stories in his own...