Though nearly everyone is familiar with the great mythological figures such as Hercules, Icarus and Medusa, readers may wonder what relevance these ancient tales hold for them. This unique reference book brings mythology to life for students by exploring the connections between ancient myths and contemporary culture. The delightful introductory essay sets the tone, with its overview of the myriad areas of human endeavors that have been influenced by mythology including the arts, science, psychology, language and literature, consumer products and other aspects of popular culture. The user-friendly volume is comprised of 50 narrative essays, that offer a lively retelling of the myth, and then trace the cultural connections. Readers will discover, for example, the fascinating derivation of Freudian psychoanalysis from the myth of Oedipus. Fans of popular film and fiction may be surprised to learn the mythological inspiration for works like Beauty and the Beast, The Matrix, or Michael Crichton's Eaters of the Dead. This engrossing book is enhanced with 25 original illustrations. Five fact-filled appendices offer glossaries and interesting mythological etymologies of commonplace words in nature, science, and everyday consumer products like Nike shoes and Olympus cameras. Whether for research or pure enjoyment, this accessible and informative book reveals the many unrecognized references to mythology that impact our lives.

In an Influential Fashion profiles 164 fashion designers and retailers from many countries who have had the most impact on American dress and culture from the late 19th century to the year 2000. Each entry introduces a fashion personality or retailer whose influence on the industry reflected societal, political, and/or economic change. The commercial side of fashion, neglected in most fashion encyclopedias, is explored here, with details of licensing agreements and marketing innovations not easily found elsewhere. Students and professionals in fashion design, retailing, costume research, and social history will all find this book a valuable addition to their libraries. Each entry includes the birth and death dates of designers, their education and training, career highlights and accomplishments, and awards they have won. The entry describes the designer or retailer's signature styles, with a keen emphasis on the designer's contributions to American fashion design and culture. As appropriate, the entry summarizes any licensing agreements and influential marketing innovations. Web sites, lists of museums and fashion design schools, and numerous appendices make In an Influential Fashion a complete resource on American fashion history for the late 19th and 20th centuries.