Dragons, unicorns, griffins, and sea monsters are only some of the many fantastic animals that continue to enthrall people, even though such creatures exist only in our imaginations. As such, they have animated human folklore for thousands of years, serving as metaphors for our fears, hopes, dreams, and struggles. Here is a modern collection of lore that reflects many different cultures as it focuses on a panoply of fantastic animals. From ancient Greece came the griffin, a combination eagle and lion who guarded a treasure of gold, and whose feathers gave sight to the blind. From Egypt came the mysterious Sphinx, half human and half lion, and from Persia came Karkadan, a large, ferocious, one-horned monster who could be captured and subdued only by a young maiden. Not all mythical beasts are fierce. Lung and other Chinese dragons are cheerful and benevolent, and Drakon was reputed to be a loyal guard of the Greeks' sacred springs and treasures. This profusely illustrated book tells stories of winged birds, scaled serpents, and legendary sea creatures. It also features a unique family tree of legendary bestial correspondences that traces dragon relationships from one culture's folklore to another. The more than 130 fantastic and vivid illustrations are all in color. Dragons, unicorns, griffins, sea monsters, and other ancient animals that never existed continue to fascinate us with their dreamlike shapes and mysterious powers. They are expressions of human fears and of our wonder at the awesome forces of nature. Bestowed with magical qualities, they embody our longings for healthy riches, wisdom, and immortality. They also delight us with their charms and eccentricities. The Book of Dragons and Other Mythical Beasts is a journey through the unnatural history of creatures that never existed outside our own imagination. It brings to life with vivid description and illustration over fifty of the most fascinating and awesome mythical beasts. Turn the pages and discover: Amphisbaena—A reptile with a head at either end of its body that can go backward or forward at great speed - Chimera—A fire-breathing monster with the head and foreparts of a lion, the body of a goat, and the hindquarters of a dragon - Hydra—A monstrous water serpent with many heads. If one head is destroyed, two or more grow in its place - Karkadan—A ferocious one-horned monster of Persia, so large it can carry off an elephant on its horn - Krakan—One of the most feared monsters of the northern ocean, it wraps its huge tentacles around unwary ships and plucks sailors from the decks - Manticore—With three rows of teeth and a long, scorpion-like tail, it is a man-eater with a voice like a panpipe - Stmphalids—Man-eating birds with brass beaks and claws - Tengu—Large birds of Japan that combine human and crow-like characteristics. Joe Nigg is author of several books on the subject of animal mythology, and has extensive teaching experience at all levels, from preschoolers to college students. He lives in Denver, Colorado.