The element encyclopedia of the Celts : the ultimate A-Z of the symbols, history, and spirituality of the legendary Celts

The latest title in the much-loved Element Encyclopedia series, The Element Encyclopedia of Celts explores the history, culture, and mythology of these great peoples. A comprehensive guide of Celtic history and culture, The Element Encyclopedia of the Celts tells the stories of these grand peoples and their way of life, including their heroic gods and goddesses, incredible myths and legends, and their everyday lives through their language, customs, and society. Encompassing their iron-age beginnings, European colonization, the various strands of 'Celticness' (race, politics, and culture), as well as the Celtic Tiger of today, this encyclopedia gets to the very heart of Celtic origin and meaning, as well as delving into the cultural and mythical background that draws so many to claim their Celtic roots today. Including: \* The Celtic People and Their Way of Life \* Celtic Places \* Celtic Religion \* Myths, Legends, and Stories \* Symbols, Ideas, and Archetypes \* Celtic Twilight and Revival Accompanied by illustrations and maps, which show the spread of Celts across the globe, as well as the symbols of Celtic mythology and religion

An introduction to the universe covering everything from the big bang and our understanding of the universe over time, to the earth's formation, the Sun and how it affects us, the Moon and planets, black holes and galaxies.

The companion volume to ‘Need to Know? Stargazing’ and by the same author, this book focuses on the basic history and science of the universe, rather than on the practical skywatching aspects. It includes information on:

• Outrageous philosophy: weird notions and early ideas about the Universe including ancient Egyptian and Greek cosmology
• How the universe began: creation theories and the expanding Universe, from the Big Bang to the formation of the Sun and the appearance of life and humans
• The Earth's formation and the origin of the Moon
• The structure and composition of planet and the atmosphere, volcanoes, mountain formation and geological catastrophes; past, present and future
• The Solar System
• Star types and their formation, development and demise
• Types of galaxy
• Professional instruments, research and space observatories

In particular, ‘Collins Need to Know? Universe’ also asks what we know about the future: the future of man, and space travel. Will we be able to colonize planets? Will the universe expand or crunch, and could there be alternative universes out there?