Mythology
Mythical Places: A Complete Guide to the Legendary Lands of World Mythology
Avalon, Shangri-La, El Dorado and the Lands That Never Were
The complete guide to the legendary places of myth and legend: Atlantis and Avalon, El Dorado and Shangri-La, Camelot and the Garden of the Hesperides, and the lost lands humanity never stopped seeking.
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Inside this book
What you will read
- 11 chapters, primary sources
- Instant PDF download
- Original ink illustrations
- Greek, Celtic, American and Eastern legends
- Designed for print quality
See all chapters +
- 01The Geography of Longing
- 02Atlantis, the Drowned Empire
- 03Avalon and the Sleeping King
- 04El Dorado and the City of Gold
- 05Shangri-La and the Hidden Valleys
- 06The Garden of the Hesperides
- 07Elysium and the Isles of the Blessed
- 08Camelot and the Halls of Legend
- 09Hyperborea, Thule and the Ends of the Earth
- 10The Lands That Lured Explorers to Their Deaths
- 11Why We Map the Places That Never Were
About this book
About this Mythology mythology guide
Islands of the blessed, cities of gold, valleys where no one grows old. This is the complete guide to the mythical places humanity mapped just beyond the edge of the known world.
Some places are too perfect, or too terrible, to be real, and those are the ones we never stop looking for. Every culture has mapped lands that lie just beyond the edge of the known world: islands of the blessed, cities of gold, hidden valleys where no one grows old, paradises lost and kingdoms drowned. They are the geography of human longing, and for centuries real explorers have died trying to reach places that existed only in story.
This is the complete guide to the mythical places of the world. Atlantis, the drowned empire of Plato; Avalon, the isle where Arthur sleeps; El Dorado, the city of gold that lured the conquistadors to their deaths; Shangri-La and the hidden valleys of the East; the Garden of the Hesperides and the Elysian Fields; Camelot, Hyperborea, Thule and the islands at the end of the map; and the deep reasons we keep drawing lands that were never there.
The book gathers the legendary places across cultures, drawing on the classical, medieval and sacred sources, and every chapter cites where it comes from.
Delivered as a print-quality PDF within 24 hours of purchase.
What you will discover inside
- Atlantis and Avalon, the drowned empire and the sleeping king
- El Dorado, the city of gold that killed the men who sought it
- Shangri-La and the hidden valleys of the East
- The Garden of the Hesperides and the Elysian Fields
- Hyperborea, Thule and the islands at the end of the map
- Why humanity keeps mapping lands that were never there
Mythology mythology book at a glance
| Tradition | Mythology mythology |
|---|---|
| Chapters | 11 chapters |
| Length | 180 pages |
| Sources | Drawn from the primary sources, cited inline |
| Reading level | Beginner-friendly. Every name and place is explained from scratch |
| Format | Print-quality PDF |
| Delivery | PDF within 24 hours |
Formats and editions
| Edition | What you get | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Instant PDF | Print-quality download, readable on any device. PDF within 24 hours. | $7.99 |
| Paperback | A paperback edition is on the way. Sign up on this page to hear when it lands on Amazon. | Coming soon |
About the author
Guillaume Henry
Founder & Editor-in-Chief, Mythologis
Guillaume Henry founded Mythologis to make the world's mythologies readable without losing what makes them strange. Every Mythologis book draws on the primary sources first, cross-references multiple translations, and avoids inventing details that aren't in the originals.
More about the authorKeep exploring Mythology mythology
Prefer to read before you buy? These free, fully sourced guides cover the same gods, myths and sources you will meet in the book.
Questions about the Mythology mythology book
When will I receive my PDF?
Within 24 hours of purchase. Your download link arrives in your inbox automatically.
Which places does it cover?
The most famous legendary places from across the world: Atlantis, Avalon, El Dorado, Shangri-La, Camelot, the Garden of the Hesperides, Elysium, Hyperborea and more, each with its story and its sources.
Is this book based on primary sources?
Yes. It draws on the Greek and Roman geographers and poets, the Arthurian romances, the records of the Spanish conquest, and the sacred and travel literature, with references to the standard editions.
How long is the book?
Eleven chapters, around 180 pages depending on the final layout.
Will there be a paperback on Amazon?
The PDF is available immediately. A KDP paperback edition follows once the book has been validated by readers.
What formats is this book available in?
Every title is available as an instant PDF, downloaded the moment you buy it: the link appears on the confirmation page and lands in your inbox. Selected titles also have a paperback edition on Amazon. Where the paperback is not out yet, you can sign up to be notified the day it does.
What is the return policy?
The PDF is delivered instantly by Mythologis. If a download ever fails or a file looks wrong, get in touch and we will make it right. Paperbacks bought on Amazon are handled under Amazon's own returns and refund policy.
Can I order from outside the United States?
Yes. The PDF is a digital download, so it works instantly anywhere in the world, with nothing to ship. Where a paperback edition exists, it is sold across Amazon's international marketplaces, with shipping rates and delivery times depending on your country.
