Nectar and Ambrosia: An Encyclopedia of Food in World Mythology

by Tamra Andrews

Overview

A publishing first, Nectar and Ambrosia presents an encyclopedic treatment of the magic properties and uses of food by mortals and immortals alike, from the pages of myth and legend.

Now, for the first time, the magic properties and uses of food by both mortals and immortals as represented in the world's myths and legends are brought together and explained in Nectar and Ambrosia. This A–Z volume is filled with an abundance of exotic lore and legend.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9798216122111
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Publishing
Publication date:	10/26/2000
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	285
File size:	16 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.
Age Range:	7 - 17 Years

About the Author

Tamra Andrews is a librarian and professional writer specializing in astronomical mythology.
TAMRA ANDREWS is an education writer and language arts editor for Publisher's Resource Group, and a former college reference librarian. She has written two encyclopedias of mythology, Legends of the Earth, Sea, and Sky: An Encyclopedia of Nature Myths and Nectar and Ambrosia: An Encyclopedia of Food in World Mythology.

Editorial Reviews

Salmon that granted wisdom, drinks that ensured immortality, and animals and vegetables that bestowed other powers are among the food used by both mortals and immortals for their magical effects that Andrews profiles. The specific foods described include Germanic mead, Aztec amaranth bread shaped like the war god Huitzilopochtli, Babylonian barley wine, beans as a deity to North Americans and evil to Hindus, Chinese edible birds' nests, Roman medicinal cabbage, and Finnish cherries as a fertility drug. The occasional illustrations are monochrome. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Booknews

Nectar and Ambrosia draws some unusual and intriguing connections between food and world mythology, examining the magic properties and uses of food through myths and legends. Nectar and Ambrosia will appeal to a wide audience as it provides links between culture and culinary folklore.

Recommended for academic and large public library reference collections.” —Library Journal

“Recommended for all collections.” —Choice

“Andrews' work suits the general reader and students and would be a good addition to public and high school libraries.” —Booklist

“Fills a major void in the relationship of food to the mythologies, rituals, and rites of many world cultures and peoples.” —American Reference Books Annual

From the Publisher