Rosenberg (World Literature, NTC, 1995) offers a basic introduction and anthology of retold folktales, myths, and legends directed to the reader who is new to the cultural implications and nuances of these genres. Although these 120 tales from Africa, the Middle East, Europe, the Americas, and the Far East have been orally transmitted through the centuries, they are still suitable for the repertoires of contemporary storytellers and useful for comparative tale studies. Story subjects include everyday life, parents and children, and wise and foolish beings and encompass occupations, parables, trickster tales, animal stories, hero tales, and narratives of rebellion and conformity. Each topic is preceded by invaluable historical and cultural background on the motifs and subjects of the tales. Recommended for academic and larger public libraries.?Richard K. Burns, Hatboro, Pa.

Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Folklore, Myths, and Legends: A World Perspective contains world masterpieces including Prometheus, Faust, the Shahnemeh and the Mahabharata in a retold format that gives your students all the flavor of the original work in an easy-to-understand presentation. Contained within this text are historical and cultural background information for each selection and detailed source notes.