At birth, Hermes, son of Zeus and the Nymph Maia, says his first word: "Gimme!" In this brilliant, hilarious graphic novel about the mischievous, fun-loving messenger of the gods, Caldecott Medal winner Mordicai Gerstein, transports classical mythology to the 21st century. "The world!" the newly born Hermes says. "It's even better than I expected! I love it! I want it all!" This book is filled with joy, exuberance, and humor. On his first day of life, Hermes manages to trick a turtle into surrendering its shell and a ram into surrendering its horns, thereby inventing the lyre, music, and song! He also manages to steal his brother Apollo's precious cows, but later redeems himself by outwitting the giant brothers Otus and Ephialtes, who have kidnapped Mars. These adventures and more, all derived from classical mythology, are told with great humor as well as a twenty-first century sensibility by the colossally talented Mordicai Gerstein. The art in this graphic novel is truly spectacular, with 250 illustrations, executed by a master artist and filled with unique humor. A Bank Street Best Book of the Year
Mischievous from the moment he emerges howling and screeching from his mother's womb, Pan, god of the wild, creates pandemonium wherever he goes. Noise and confusion follow him as he steals arrows from Artemis, conceives panic, tricks the moon into falling in love with him, and saves the world from the monster, Typhon. With panache and a wicked pair of horns, Pan spreads chaos and laughter on the way to becoming Mount Olympus's most lovable pest. From Mordicai Gerstein, Caldecott Medal-winning author of The Man Who Walked Between the Towers, comes an irresistible picture book about Greek mythology's wildest, wackiest god. Gerstein's high-spirited paintings and rollicking sense of humor create an accessible introduction to an unforgettably vivacious hero.
Hermes redresses the gap in modern English scholarship on this fascinating and complex god, presenting its readers with an introduction to Hermes’ social, religious and political importance through discussions of his myths, iconography and worship. It also brings together in one place an integrated survey of his reception and interpretation in contemporaneous neighbouring cultures in antiquity as well as discussion of his reception in the post-classical periods up to the present day. This volume is an invaluable resource for anyone wanting to explore the many facets of Hermes’ myth, worship and reception.
An insider's hilarious, whirlwind account of his years spent globe-trotting in search of the holy grail of handbags: the Birkin For more than twenty years, the Hermès Birkin bag has been the iconic symbol of fashion, luxury, and wealth. Though the bag is often seen dangling from the arms of celebrities, there is a fabled waiting list of more than two years to buy one from Hermès, and the average fashionista has a better chance of climbing Mount Everest in Prada pumps than of possessing one of these coveted carryalls. Unless, of course, she happens to know Michael Tonello . . . Michael's newfound career started with an impulsive move to Barcelona, a vanished job assignment, no work visa, and an Hermès scarf sold on eBay to generate some quick cash. But soon the resourceful Michael discovered the truth about the waiting list and figured out the secret to getting Hermès to part with one of these precious bags. Millions of dollars worth of Birkins later, Michael had become one of eBay's most successful entrepreneurs—and a Robin Hood to thousands of desperate rich women. With down-to-earth wit, Michael chronicles the unusual ventures that took him to nearly every continent, from eBay to Paris auction house and into the lives of celebrities and poseurs. Flirting with danger, Michael recounts the heady rush of hand delivering his first big score to famed songwriter Carole Bayer Sager in Paris; how he had to hire thugs to rescue a bag that one of his "shoppers" held for ransom; and the story of the Oscar-worthy performances that allowed him to snag "reserved" bags from other, less dogged Birkin seekers. Whether he's relating his wining and dining, buying and selling, dodging and weaving, laughing and crying, or schmoozing and stammering, Michael is a master raconteur who weaves together tales of hunting Birkins in the world's most posh locales, memories of meals that would make any gastronome salivate, anecdotes of obsessed collectors with insatiable desires, and sweetly intimate stories about his family, friends, and finding true love. The result is a memoir that is distinctive, fun, page-turning, and as addictive as its namesake.
At birth, Hermes, son of Zeus and the Nymph Maia, says his first word: "Gimme!" In this brilliant, hilarious graphic novel about the mischievous, fun-loving messenger of the gods, Caldecott Medal winner Mordicai Gerstein, transports classical mythology to the 21st century. "The world!" the newly born Hermes says. "It's even better than I expected! I love it! I want it all!" This book is filled with joy, exuberance, and humor. On his first day of life, Hermes manages to trick a turtle into surrendering its shell and a ram into surrendering its horns, thereby inventing the lyre, music, and song! He also manages to steal his brother Apollo's precious cows, but later redeems himself by outwitting the giant brothers Otus and Ephialtes, who have kidnapped Mars. These adventures and more, all derived from classical mythology, are told with great humor as well as a twenty-first century sensibility by the colossally talented Mordicai Gerstein. The art in this graphic novel is truly spectacular, with 250 illustrations, executed by a master artist and filled with unique humor. A Bank Street Best Book of the Year
Hermes and his Children has become something of a classic among therapists, poets, artists and readers of many callings. Rafael López-Pedraza approaches the soul through myth, pathology, image and the very living of them all. The love and passion of a man fully in his element radiates throughout this unique work, now updated and expanded for this edition.
"Imogen Hermes Gowar is a soon-to-be literary star."— Sunday Times (UK) "Historical fiction at its finest, combining myth and legend with the brutal realities of the past. . . . Comparisons will be drawn to the works of contemporary authors Sarah Waters and Michael Faber . . . but The Mermaid and Mrs. Hancock has more in common with the novels of Dickens and Austen."— Irish Times In 1780s London, a prosperous merchant finds his quiet life upended when he unexpectedly receives a most unusual creature—and meets a most extraordinary woman—in this much-lauded, atmospheric debut that examines our capacity for wonder, obsession, and desire with all the magnetism, originality, and literary magic of The Essex Serpent. One September evening in 1785, Jonah Hancock hears an urgent knocking on his front door near the docks of London. The captain of one of Jonah’s trading vessels is waiting eagerly on the front step, bearing shocking news. On a voyage to the Far East, he sold the Jonah’s ship for something rare and far more precious: a mermaid. Jonah is stunned—the object the captain presents him is brown and wizened, as small as an infant, with vicious teeth and claws, and a torso that ends in the tail of a fish. It is also dead. As gossip spreads through the docks, coffee shops, parlors and brothels, all of London is curious to see this marvel in Jonah Hancock’s possession. Thrust from his ordinary existence, somber Jonah finds himself moving from the city’s seedy underbelly to the finest drawing rooms of high society. At an opulent party, he makes the acquaintance of the coquettish Angelica Neal, the most desirable woman he has ever laid eyes on—and a shrewd courtesan of great accomplishment. This meeting sparks a perilous liaison that steers both their lives onto a dangerous new course as they come to realize that priceless things often come at the greatest cost. Imogen Hermes Gowar, Britain’s most-heralded new literary talent, makes her debut with this spellbinding novel of a merchant, a mermaid, and a madam—an unforgettable confection that explores obsession, wonder, and the deepest desires of the heart with bawdy wit, intrigue, and a touch of magic.
An elegant collection of Alice Charbin's whimsical illustrations from her 18-year collaboration with Hermès For 18 years, illustrator Alice Charbin has been inviting people to escape to the whimsical world of Hermès, where the brand's iconic orange box frequently shapeshifts and appears in the most unlikely of places. Hermès: Heavenly Days brings together 300 of Charbin's best drawings from the collaboration in a beautiful package that's perfect for every bookshelf and coffee table. From Christmas in the North Pole to spring time in the streets of Paris, these winks from the house of Hermès will make readers of all ages smile and see life . . . in orange!
The The Emerald Tablet of Hermes & Kybalion compose two pillars of Hermetic thought. Combined here in one volume, these two works share true wisdom with those ready to receive it. "When the ears of the student are ready to hear, then cometh the lips to fill them with wisdom." The Kybalion was first published anonymously in 1908 by "The Three Initiates." The true authorship of the work is unknown, although theories suggest it was written entirely or in part by William Walker Atkinson. Atkinson was a prolific writer and supported the New Thought movement of the 19th and early 20th centuries. New Thought included the belief that our realities can be manifested by mental effort, which is also suggested in Hermetic principles. Scholars point to similarities in style and content between The Kybalion and Atkinson's own The Arcane Teachings as evidence that he was one (or all) of "The Three Initiates." The Kybalion provides an introduction to the teachings of Hermes Trismegistus--Hermes "the Thrice-Greatest." This "Master of Masters" is said in The Kybalion to have lived 300 years on Earth, and believed by some to be the founder of both astrology and alchemy (precursors to astronomy and chemistry, respectively). Hermes Trismegistus was deified after his death as Toth by the ancient Egyptians, and Hermes by the Greeks. In both pantheons, this man-turned-god was considered a symbol of great wisdom. The Kybalion's explanation of Hermetic teachings are claimed to have been passed down orally for centuries, eventually reaching "The Three Initiates." The fundamental Hermetic traditions presented in The Kybalion consist of seven "working principles" Mentalism, Correspondence, Vibration, Polarity, Rhythm, Cause and Effect, and Gender. Within these seven principles is true wisdom, tied to no particular place and no particular religion. It is the "sacred flame" kept lit by a chosen few used to "re-light the lesser lamps of the outside world when the light of truth grew dim..." In short, these are the truths of the universe, regardless of era or creed. The Emerald Tablet of Hermes is a short, ancient text attributed to Hermes Trismegistus himself. Unlike The Kybalion, which aims to provide some explanation and instruction, the brief Emerald Tablet has been puzzling and fascinating scholars for over 1,000 years. Consisting of a mere 14 stanzas, the Emerald Tablet is said to contain the secrets of prima materia--the foundational material of the universe. The Emerald Tablet and its teaching influenced freemasonry and philosophy throughout history. The text of the tablet has been translated and commented on by a variety of scholars, including Sir Isaac Newton who was inspired by its teachings throughout his life and work. The earliest known version of the text comes from an Arabic work written between the 6th and 8th centuries by Balinas. He claimed to have found the tablet hidden in a vault beneath a statue of Hermes. Another story claims the tablet was written by Seth, the third son of Adam and Eve. And yet another says the tablet was uncovered and then reburied by Alexander the Great. The source and material of the physical tablet is unknown. It was reported to be a rectangular green stone, with text in raised bas-relief rather than engraved. Some even claim there never was a physical tablet at all, although several accounts claim it was on display in Egypt in 330 BCE. Whatever its origins and history, the work was first introduced to the West in the 12th century through Latin translations. Since then, this cryptic text has been translated and re-translated, pored-over and analyzed by philosophers, historians, and theologians alike.
