An Instinct for Dragons / Edition 1

by David E. Jones

Overview

First published in 2002. The image of a dragon- magnificent, terrifying, voracious and powerful- is ingrained in our culture. But where di it originate? And how is that people from Africa to China to America picture it the same? An Instinct for Dragons is anthropologist David E. Jones' account of his search for the mysterious birth of this ubiquitous monster. Nit only does virtually every culture in the world have a name for dragons- smok in Polish, tatsu in Japanese, unktena in Cherokee- but dragons everywhere share many of the same characteristics: multiple heads, blazing eyes, earth-shaking roars, fiery breath, and the abduction of princesses. Spanning dragon lore from all paces and periods, Jones scrutinizes sightings and references from dragon inscriptions on cave walls, cliffs and pots to the Loch Ness monster to the Internet. Jones' research is erudite, and his conclusion is stunning; not only is our fear and fascination with dragons a direct result of the predators who threatened our evolution, but humankind is essentially 'hardwired' to believe in the dragon. This book will fascinate any reader interested in the cultural history of this most venerable of monsters.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780415937290
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	06/21/2002
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	194
Product dimensions:	5.44(w) x 8.50(h) x (d)
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

David E. Jones is Professor of Anthropology at the University of Central Florida. He is the author of such engaging and well-received books as: Sanapia: Comanche Medicine Woman, Visions of Time, and Women Warriors. He lives in Orlando, Florida

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments, Introduction, CHAPTER 1 • The Monkey Hunters, CHAPTER 2 • Running from Certain Shadows, CHAPTER 3 • Red Tooth, Red Claw, CHAPTER 4 • How Time Makes a Dragon, CHAPTER 5 • Why Dragons Breathe Fire, CHAPTER 6 • Time of the Dragon Slayers, CHAPTER 7 • Fate of the Dragons, Appendix A • Tree of Life and the Three Sacred Realms, Appendix B • More Tales of the Great Worm, Bibliography, Index

Editorial Reviews

"[A] fascinating subject and thought-provoking read." — Journal of Scientific Exploration

From the Publisher