The Tale of Cupid and Psyche: An Illustrated History

Book Description

Once upon a time there lived a king and queen who had three very beautiful daughters....It was only just possible to find words of praise for the elder two and to express the breath-taking loveliness of the youngest...was beyond all power of human speech. Every day thousands of her father's subjects came to gaze at her, foreigners too, and were so dumbfounded by the sight that they paid her the homage due to the Goddess Venus alone.

The passionate love story of a god and an exquisitely beautiful mortal woman, the myth of Cupid and Psyche has fascinated Western culture since the Middle Ages. First appearing as a long aside in Apuleius's The Golden Ass in the second century AD, this romance has inspired countless works of art in an astonishingly wide range of media. Gathered here is a selection of these numerous works, from monumental fresco cycles, to easel paintings and wedding chests, from miniatures, tapestries, and stained-glass windows, to marble and porcelain sculptures. Many are considered masterpieces of European art.

The sheer number and beauty of the works this myth has inspired is a testament to the power and richness of the story. The lovers are often portrayed as children to suggest their eternal youth and immortality. In some scenes they are shown kissing, in others, tormenting each other, expressing the extremes of joy and suffering that beset all lovers. The changing tastes and sensibilities of different periods are reflected in Psyche's appearance, evolving from courtly and Baroque to neoclassical and Pre-Raphaelite. For the modern age, it is the dual nature of Cupid and Psyche's love, on the one hand deeply spiritual, and on the other intensely sensual, that has resonated most powerfully.

"It seems," noted Walter Pater, the nineteenth-century British critic, of Apuleius's story, "that one can see and touch the blond hair, the fresh flowers, the precious works of art of which he speaks." Thanks to the extraordinary artworks included in this book, we can indeed see, if not touch, the splendors of Apuleius's story. 96 color illustrations, 128 in b/w.

Cupid and Psyche: An Adaptation from The Golden Ass of Apuleius
Average customer rating:

great intermediate latin text

Cupid and Psyche: An Adaptation from The Golden Ass of Apuleius
Apuleius
Manufacturer: Oxford University Press, USA
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0199120471

Book Description

The story of Cupid and Psyche is part of The Golden Ass or Metamorphoses, a Latin novel by Apuleius (second century A.D.). It is both a charming fairytale and an allegory of the search of the Soul for happiness and fulfillment. This edition, the first with a full commentary in English to appear for eighty years, comprises a Latin text with facing translation, making the edition more accessible to students of comparative literature. An introduction and a commentary provide help with interpretation and up-to-date guidance to scholarship in the field.

Customer Reviews:

great intermediate latin text.......2005-12-07

This is an outstanding intermediate Latin text. The story is great, it has good notes, and there are exercize sentences in the back. It does not have a running vocabulary, like many of the Bolchazy books do, but of course there is a vocabulary in the back of the book.

Average customer rating:

Cupid and Psyche (Penguin Epics)
Apuleius
Manufacturer: Penguin (Non-Classics)
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Classics | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

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Metamorphoses (Penguin Classics)

ASIN: 0141026375

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Fable of Cupid & Psyche
Adaurensis Apuleius
Manufacturer: Philosophical Research Society
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0893144118

Book Description

Translated by Thomas Taylor

Preface by Manly P. Hall

A photographic facsimile of the 1795 edition, the title page of which reads: "The Fable of Cupid and Psyche, Translated from the Latin of Apuleius, to which are added, a Poetical Paraphrase on the Speech of Diotima, in the Banquet of Plato, Four Hymns, &c. &c., with an Introduction, in which the meaning of the fable is unfolded." Taylor's extensive introduction deals with the mystery of the human soul, divine love, and human regeneration. Eros, or Cupid, is introduced as the Divine Principle in man and Psyche as the human soul. As the plot develops it is obvious that the supporting philosophical doctrines are derived from the secret teachings of the Mystery Schools. The fact that Apuleius was an initiate of the classical Mysteries and among the most enlightened of the Neoplatonists more than justifies the present edition as a major contribution in this field of Platonic psychology.

Antique Gems from the Greek and Latin. Vol. 2. Cupid and Psyche By Apuleius
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Antique Gems from the Greek and Latin. Vol. 2. Cupid and Psyche By Apuleius
Apuleius; with Notices By A. J. Pons
Manufacturer: George Barrie And Son
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000JT2D7K

Cupid & Psyche
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Cupid & Psyche
Apuleius
Manufacturer: J. H. Mason
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding

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ASIN: B0006CVNNA

Cupid and Psyche and Other Tales from the Golden Ass
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Cupid and Psyche and Other Tales from the Golden Ass
Apuleius
Manufacturer: Kessinger Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Folklore & Mythology | Social Sciences | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 0766171507

Book Description

No one can have read or heard popular tales without meeting minor elements of all tales, such as the jealous sister familiar to us in the story of Cinderella, and the cruel stepmother or taskmaster who sets the tasks. It is in the combination that the artist shows his power; and of the tales of the world, it is hardly too much to say that this tale of Cupid and Psyche is the most beautiful and charming.

Cupid and Psyche Apuleius and the Monuments

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Cupid and Psyche Apuleius and the Monuments
Carl C. Schlam
Manufacturer: Scholars Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0891302476

Eros and Psyche,: A fairy-tale of ancient Greece, retold after Apuleius

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Eros and Psyche,: A fairy-tale of ancient Greece, retold after Apuleius
Paul Carus
Manufacturer: Open Court Pub
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding
ASIN: B00087V61C

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The Fable Of Cupid And Psyche
Lucius Apuleius
Manufacturer: Kessinger Publishing, LLC
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: 0548368546

Book Description

This scarce antiquarian book is included in our special Legacy Reprint Series. In the interest of creating a more extensive selection of rare historical book reprints, we have chosen to reproduce this title even though it may possibly have occasional imperfections such as missing and blurred pages, missing text, poor pictures, markings, dark backgrounds and other reproduction issues beyond our control. Because this work is culturally important, we have made it available as a part of our commitment to protecting, preserving and promoting the world's literature.

Knighthood of the Dragon: Dragonmaster, Book Two (Dragonmaster)
Average customer rating:

Military strategy

Interesting take on fantasy genre

superb military fantasy
Knighthood of the Dragon: Dragonmaster, Book Two (Dragonmaster)
Chris Bunch
Manufacturer: Roc Trade
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Bunch, Chris | ( B ) | Authors, A-Z | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books
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Dragon Champion: The Age of Fire (Book One)

ASIN: 0451460677

Book Description

Dragonmaster Hal Kailas is captured by the Roche during an aerial assault against his people's enemies. Now, bound to a prison castle by dark sorcery, Hal plans a daring escape to secure not only his freedom, but also the freedom of his people.

Customer Reviews:

Military strategy.......2007-08-27

The military strategy was outstanding and throwing dragons into the mix made it more interesting.

Interesting take on fantasy genre.......2007-02-16

I am usually not a military fiction reader, but I did get hooked on this series from the first book, Dragonmaster. I devoured the first two books and can't wait to get the third.
For hard core sword and scorcery fans, you do have to get used to some of the "modernisms" that the author used. Sometimes the dragons seem to be nothing more than fighter planes, which I guess what the author intended. But his characters are strongly built and very real. The effect of war on people and countries tweaks your compassion.
I am curious though on the cover of the new edition, if the artist even read the series....or did I miss some of the fire-breathing dragon battles.
Like fantasy thats not cookie cutter, pick this up you'll enjoy it!

superb military fantasy .......2006-03-08

The war of attrition between the kingdom of Deraine and Roche has been bloody with both sides willing to send pawns to death to gain a slight edge. Entire units are treated as fodder to move a position forward a few miles. Neither side will grudgingly give an inch though the decision makers remain comfortable far from the deadly front lines.

Dragon Master Hal Kailas knows first hand how bad the war has depleted his forces as his side slowly loses the entrenched ground war and Roche begins to show superiority in the skies with their black dragon riders. Kailas has to find an answer even as he squabbles with his superior officer Asir the King who refuses to listen to supply inadequacies including a dragon shortage and a lack of trained soldiers. He must emulate the enemy and take the war to their civilian populace. Meanwhile his adversaries make a concerted effort to catch the Deraine war hero with plans to lock him away in magical binds inside a death camp as a demoralizer aimed at his people.

As with the first Dragonmaster tale (see STORM OF WINGS), there are obvious comparisons to the trench warfare and aerial fights of WWI and the civilian attacks of WWII, but set in a fantasy realm. The story line showcases the fortunes and foibles of armed combat; highlighted by the concept that peaceful solutions are for the naive while the realist errs on the side of someone else's death. However, as the tale spins its moral issues, the key characters even Hal never seem to have learned anything from their previous adventures. Still KNIGHTHOOD OF THE DRAGON is a superb military fantasy that will have the audience looking forward to the reprint of the LAST BATTLE.

Harriet Klausner

Knighthood of the Dragon (Dragonmaster Book Two)

Average customer rating:

A so-so sequel to the so-so Dragonmaster novel.
The war grinds on...
Return to dragon action

Knighthood of the Dragon (Dragonmaster Book Two)
Chris Bunch
Manufacturer: Orbit Book Co.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 1841492167

Book Description

In this compelling sequel to Storm of Wings, Hal finds himself pitted against an enemy that not even a flight of dragons may be able to destroy.

Customer Reviews:

A so-so sequel to the so-so Dragonmaster novel........2005-09-03

I have been reading Chris Bunch books since the start of the Sten series in 1982. I would give most of his older novels 4 stars. I was reluctant to buy "Dragonmaster" after reading Chris Bunch's mediocre Star Risk, Ltd. novels. The third book in that series, "The Doublecross Program," is Chris Bunch's poorest novel.

I decided to buy the Storm of Wings Trilogy after reading many favorable reader reviews. Unfortunately, I do not agree with most reviewers and give the books only three stars. The main theme (the development of dragons as weapons of war similar to what happened with biplanes and triplanes in World War I) is interesting, but the pacing is erratic, many of the key characters are boring, and the moral questions (mostly about 'progressing' towards "total war") seem forced. The inclusion of magic just muddles the stories, especially since the magicians are unimpressive.

The first book is the best of the three. Reading the second book is necessary to finish the story. The third book is optional (the war ended in the second book), but it should not be read without reading the previous two.

The war grinds on..........2004-01-20

In another much-better-than-usual book, Chris Bunch continues the saga of Hal Kailas, Dragon Master. This story is really deserving of more than four stars, but isn't quite up to a five-star rating, though it's close. Too bad there isn't an option for a four-and-a-half-star rating.

Anyway, on to the review:
Hal Kailas has come a long way from the vagabond runaway he was, to advance man for a traveling troupe of entertainers, to calvary sergeant, to combat dragon rider. Along the way he's seen triumph and disaster, has visited death upon his enemy, and been chased by death himself. The long-awaited war has brought Hal's kingdom of Deraine, with it's Sagene allies, to a death-grip with it's Roache foe. The war isn't going well for anyone, with both sides embraced in a lethal wrestling match of attrition. When one side comes up with a new tactic, it is immediately countered by the other side, and the blood-letting continues unabated with little advantage to either side. Whole armies are sent forward into the teeth of prepared enemy positions, and are consumed. Regiments and divisions are annihilated for the possession of a few square miles one day, only to have enemy regiments and divisions pay a similar price to recover that same territory the very next day.

In this grinding, deadly environment, the Dragon Master Kailas struggles to overcome a lack of resources, a dearth of replacements, and the dedicated enmity of the opposing Roche dragon riders. Endlessly innovative in finding new ways to deal death to his foes, Hal becomes the focus of the best Roache rider and his flight of black dragons. Reminiscent of the aerial rivalries of the First World War, base raids and ambush from on high mix with challenges to personal duels. Advantage passes from one side to the other in a sea-saw contest for supremacy, and all will hang in the balance as men of determination press their courage and will to the utmost. Scruples and inhibitions will be abandoned as desperation makes acceptable acts of wholesale destruction that were once unthinkable. The war will grow to swallow innocents and soldiers alike, and in the midst of all this, treason and imprisonment will reach out to embrace the Dragon Master.

How will Deraine triumph, when it's most dedicated and effective defenders tumble from the skies?

Of course, I'm not going to give away the entire plot, so you'll just have to read it for yourself. As with the previous book, Storm Of Wings, I find myself comparing and contrasting this book to World War One and Two, and that colors my perceptions of the story. Chris Bunch has deliberately inserted the colors of the Great War into the narrative, with countryside denuded and left curiously intact in turn, as the fickle fortunes of war dictate. Whole cultures are crumbling under the demands of a war of survival, and heroes loom larger in the public mind as the populace looks desperately for some sign of victory and relief from the dreary prospect of yet more death. As in the previous book, I find myself detached from Hal as he relates the story of his adventures and misadventures. That distance from the hero is my only quibble with the story, and is the only reason I don't give this story a full five-star rating.

Read it!

Return to dragon action.......2003-09-28

With this and the preceeding book, Chris Bunch has written some of the best dragon action stories available today (see the end). His work stands up quite well against the icon of dragon stories; Anne McCaffrey.

Chris Bunch brings military knowledge and nuance to add real depth to his plot, settings, and action; as he has in his Star Risk and Last Legion series. I especially liked the super-position of World War I aerial war development onto dragon riders at war. The bad guys (the Roche, not the Boche) even had technical air superiority (black dragons over the local domestic green dragons in lieu of Fokkers vs the Spads), and a titled leader. The analogy can be carried too far; I don't think the Red Baron's brother was sleeping with the Kaiser. The ground war is (thankfully) kept as germain to the plot development; the flyboys (& gals) didn't win it all single-handedly.

This is not a slam on Michael Stackpole's Dragoncrown War Cycle (DWC). The DWC is less about dragons (at least in the first three books) than it is about people and cultures fighting to control a vital resource. These are also an excellent read!

Customer Reviews:

Another Must Read.......2005-04-04

If you like Kundera, have a fondness for Nietzsche, enjoyed the Bill Murray movie "Groundhog's Day," or sit there mulling over the towering pronouncement from Rilke's "Archaic Torso of Apollo," : 'You must change your life!' then this is the book for you. Even if none of the above apply to you, just take a chance on this slim novel. While I wouldn't recommend the entire mystical theosophist movement that propelled Ouspensky, this work will never quite leave you -- my criterion for a work of great art.

Strange Indeed....or is it?.......2003-06-23

You seldom come across books which can significantly change your way of thinking or maybe your life for good. This is definitely one such book. I accidently came upon it when I was searching for one of Colin Wilson's books and came upon Strange Life of P.D. Ouspensky which in turn led to this book.

The protagonist, Ivan Osokin, is someone with whom most of us can empathize with. He's someone who would like another chance to live his life again so that he can make use of opportunities he wasted. He is blessed when he finds a magician who can exactly do this - send him back in time with the memories of the "future". He finds himself being a schoolboy again and at a critical path of his life. The strange thing being - now its difficult for him to believe any of it. His memory of "future" starts fading slowly and he finds that the inertia of fate is not easy to get rid of. He's taking the same decisions that he took the last time. His "memory" reduces to a plain deja vu and he's left wondering whether any of it was really true.

Giving away more will destroy the pleasure of reading.

Ouspensky's insights will leave you spellbound till the end. I just wish I had read it a few years earlier.

An amazing book........2002-06-22

Over the years, I've recommended this book to my friends at least twenty times, and I have for sure recommended it to every psychologist, or anyone in any sort of therapy, that I have known. I read it when I was in college, doing the usual recreational drugs, and reading widely. This book amazed and dumbfounded me, probably more than any other book. The author possesses what seemed to me to be a rare quality (conceited and/or foolish as I am), and that is, he knows more about human nature, and the way the world works, than I do, and he can write about it.

The form of the book is a novel; the protagonist is beset by difficulties that he feels somehow responsible for, but, that he cannot understand. Like all of us? As the story unfolds, we see that this novel is unlike any other, as it examines the protagonist's role in the minutest details of events, and shows how these events contribute to the inevitablity of what seem on the surface to be chance or uncontollable outcomes.

One lesson I drew from the book is to try to 'look deeply' at things. There is the reality that our concious mind registers and that changes moment to moment, and there are currents of meaning that are constant and don't change, but that are not recognized for what they are and are not acknowledged by our concious mind. However, our unconcious mind is fully aware of these currents, and their reality is more substantial than the concious reality. Does that make any sense? Probably not. Be assured that 'Osokin' is an interesting tale, not pyschobabble like my attempted explication.

Ouspensky was a follower of Gurjeiff, and there are still Gurjeiff groups that meet to discuss his thoughts. My last boss at a tech firm was a leader of such a group! I found out from him that Gurjeiff-ans think that the movie "Groundhog Day" with Bill Murray is in the spirit of "Osokin". I agree. The setups are the same, a day, or a life, to live over, however, what follows is entirely different.

Essential reading for anyone who wonders.."what if".......2001-10-01

From a music student to a student of Hermetic Science - this book changed my whole life, and way of thinking.

Ouspensky manages to combine real human feeling and longings with fantasy and dreams.

Enjoy!

Should be in print!.......2001-03-02

I first read this book at age eight after finding it on my mother's nightstand. I remember becoming totally engrossed in the story and reading it straight through form cover to cover. Strangely this novel has stood up well to several subsequent readings at various times in my life. I say strangely in part because I have not developed any noticable interest in any other works of fantasy or the occult in the ensuing years. This book stands out in my memory as a singular phenomenon.

Average customer rating:

Warning: May Change Your Life

Strange life of Ivan Osokin: A novel
P. D Uspenskii
Manufacturer: Holme Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B0006ARCQE

Customer Reviews:

Warning: May Change Your Life.......2005-04-04

Average customer rating:

Finally

The Right Idea In Suspended Animation

Pastorpreneur isn't just for pastors!

A cutting edge resource

Vision & Calling for Ministry

PastorPreneur
John Jackson
Manufacturer: Baxter Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Pastoral Counseling | Ministry & Church Leadership | Christianity | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 1888237457

Book Description

The author mines the depths of God's calling and provides five creative strategies to help fulfill the Great Commission in your community.

Customer Reviews:

Finally.......2006-09-24

Finally. A book that does justice to the entreprenurial spirit. I've always struggled wtih the fact that the church seems to lag behind the culture by 20 years. Where are the Holy Spirit entrepreneurs. John Jackson is one of them. I love his unique angle on the entreprenurial pastor.

Read the book.

It'll unleash the entreprenuer within!

The Right Idea In Suspended Animation .......2005-08-13

My name is Dr. Jovan-Justine Love and I believe this book is good for top-level vision, mission, leadership work and how to be creative in that regard but, it is weak on the more substantive matters of how to get the job done. In other words, how to bring the heavenly idea down to earth and out of suspended animation. Dr. Jackson readily admits this weakness in the book, in the chapter titled, "A Vision Without
A Plan". He states upfront, "This is not a book on planning. It is a book on vision...yet planning is essential to fulfill the dream God has given you and your church." He then proceeds to give nice tips on how to prepare to plan without giving any instruction on planning - putting legs and feet on the vision. Nevertheless, as the Assistant Professor of Entrepreneurial Ministry at Somerset Christian College. I will also say, the idea of combining pastors with entrepreneurs is not only novel but true. A minister must have a certain amount of entrepreneurial ability in order to start a church or a parachurch ministry. My biggest caution with this book is that implementing Dr. Jackson's strategies without an actual plan of action can quickly turn into a smoke-screen or symbolic politics at best. Reviewed by Dr. Jovan-Justine Love, Entrepreneurial Ministry, Somerset Christian College.

Pastorpreneur isn't just for pastors!.......2004-04-05

John Jackson obviously isn't your "average" pastor. And you don't have to read far into this book to find out why the church he pastors is one of the fastest growing churches in America. He does things differently. I can only imagine that a lot of "pastoral types" won't necessarily LIKE this book, but if you're serious about bringing unchurched people into relationship with God, you WANT to read this book. And if you're a Christian in a leadership position at work, this book is for you, not just for your pastor!

A cutting edge resource.......2004-03-19

This is a powerful and practical book to help push us out of our comfort zone. Among the many strengths of PastorPreneur is its focus on forming and clarifying vision and giving practical and biblical strategies to help us move forward. If you want to stay fresh and be on the cutting edge - better read John Jackson's PastorPreneur!

Vision & Calling for Ministry.......2004-03-18

I really enjoyed PastorPreneur! There were two particular discussions which really stood out to me. The section on "calling" for ministry was profound. This unique and mysterious element warrants discussion, but few books deal with is with as much insight as Jackson. Secondly, his discussion on vision adds much to the dialogue about moving forward with clarity, integrating the concepts of Grasp, Grip and Gifts. Great stuff!

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