An Ethnographic Fantasy at the Crossroads of Folklore and Natural History Wil Huygen’s Gnomes (1977) stands as a singular achievement in the realm of illustrated fantasy: it masquerades as a serious field guide, yet unfolds into a rich tapestry of myth, ecology, and cultural commentary. Framed as the definitive monograph on the secret lives of gnomes, Huygen’s … Continue reading The Adaptable Educator’s Book Review – Gnomes by Wil Huygen, Illustrated by Rien Poortvliet
The Adaptable Educator’s Book Review – Odd and the Frost Giants by Neil Gaiman
Neil Gaiman’s Odd and the Frost Giants is a masterful reimagining of Norse myth, where the familiar gods are absent and the emphasis shifts toward the heroic journey of a singular, unassuming mortal, Odd. Gaiman deploys his signature blend of playful narrative and dark undertones, inviting readers into a world where the boundary between myth and reality … Continue reading The Adaptable Educator’s Book Review – Odd and the Frost Giants by Neil Gaiman
The Adaptable Educator’s Book Review – Norse Mythology by Neil Gaiman
Neil Gaiman’s Norse Mythology represents a masterful reimagining of ancient lore through a contemporary, lyrical lens that both honours and reinvigorates its mythic source material. In this work, Gaiman reassembles a pantheon of gods and heroes familiar from medieval texts and sagas, breathing fresh life into figures such as Odin, Thor, and Loki. His narrative succeeds not … Continue reading The Adaptable Educator’s Book Review – Norse Mythology by Neil Gaiman
Web of Shadows: The Interconnected Instability of Colonialism, Nationalism, Imperialism, and Capitalism
Claude Lévi-Strauss, a pioneering anthropologist, provides a framework through structuralism to examine cultural phenomena as interconnected systems. By analyzing the philosophies underpinning colonialism, nationalism, imperialism, and capitalism, we can debate their interconnectivity and unsustainability through a Lévi-Straussian lens. Interconnectivity: Colonialism: Structural Perspective: Lévi-Strauss might analyze colonialism as a structural imposition where one culture imposes its … Continue reading Web of Shadows: The Interconnected Instability of Colonialism, Nationalism, Imperialism, and Capitalism
The Adaptable Educator’s Daily Review – The Book of the Dead by E.A. Wallis Budge
E.A. Wallis Budge’s The Book of the Dead, a compilation and translation of ancient Egyptian funerary texts, stands as a monumental achievement in the field of Egyptology. This work, first published in 1895, brought the esoteric world of ancient Egyptian religious thought and ritual to a Western audience, bridging the millennia between antiquity and modernity. Budge's … Continue reading The Adaptable Educator’s Daily Review – The Book of the Dead by E.A. Wallis Budge
Beyond Capitalism: How Joseph Campbell’s Philosophies Can Save Humanity from Colonialism, Nationalism, and Imperialism
Joseph Campbell, renowned for his work in comparative mythology and the monomyth or "hero's journey," often emphasized the interconnectedness of human experiences and the profound impact of cultural narratives on societies. Drawing on Campbell’s philosophies, we can explore the interconnectivity and unsustainability of colonialism, nationalism, imperialism, and capitalism, and propose a sustainable alternative system. Interconnectivity … Continue reading Beyond Capitalism: How Joseph Campbell’s Philosophies Can Save Humanity from Colonialism, Nationalism, and Imperialism
Cracks in the Empire: The Interwoven Myths and Inevitable Collapse of Colonialism, Nationalism, Imperialism, and Capitalism
Roland Barthes, a seminal figure in semiotics and critical theory, provides a useful framework for understanding the interconnectivity and unsustainability of colonialism, nationalism, imperialism, and capitalism. Barthes' theories on myth, language, and ideology help elucidate how these systems are intertwined and why they may be inherently unsustainable. Interconnectivity Myth and Ideology: Barthes' concept of myth … Continue reading Cracks in the Empire: The Interwoven Myths and Inevitable Collapse of Colonialism, Nationalism, Imperialism, and Capitalism
Weekend Book Reviews: “Mythology” by Edith Hamilton
Edith Hamilton's "Mythology" stands as a timeless testament to the enduring power of ancient myths and legends. Originally published in 1942, this book has since become a classic reference for anyone interested in Greek, Roman, and Norse mythology. Hamilton, with her meticulous research and elegant prose, presents a comprehensive compilation of myths that not only … Continue reading Weekend Book Reviews: “Mythology” by Edith Hamilton
The New Renaissance Mindset 