'David Hunt's book has brought into the light some of the hidden treasures of the Caucasus, a region that has been largely unknown in the West except for its recent turmoil and wars. Hunt has given translations of a wide selection of folklore, representing every part of this complex and diverse region. He has given us tales of great wealth and variety, all in fluid prose. This is a major contribution not only to the study of the Caucasus, but also to world folklore.' John Colarusso, Professor Anthropology, and Linguistics and Languages, McMaster University, Canada 'The Caucasus is where European and Asian folklore both originate and interact: David Hunt's anthology is the first time that this remarkable world of pagan heroics and primeval myths has been opened to the English-speaking reader. The translations are both inventive and meticulous (sourced from Russian-language versions) in rendering the extraordinary folk poetry of the many nations of the Caucasus. Essential reading not only for folklorists, but for anyone seeking an insight into the cultures of the Caucasus.' Donald Rayfield, Queen Mary University of London 'A wonderfully rich collection ... A worthy contribution to our understanding of the Caucasus, and his introduction and glossary of deserving of particular praise.' --Andre Naffis-Sahely, Times Literary Supplement 'David Hunt's collection of legends allows a wider readership to come in contact with a rich, regional tradition of oral poetry.The book is a rich collection of folk poetry of a region long misunderstood as a space of feuds, bloody wars, and political unrest which could captivate not only academic readers.' The Journal of the Royal Anthropological Institute 'Outstanding - an indispensable undertaking - Hunt's anthology is a major contribution to the study of the folklore of the Caucasus and a worthy continuation [to] Caucasian ethnography and folklore - Hunt [is] a gifted storyteller, able to represent in a fascinating manner a wide selection of captivating narratives coming from the ancient cultures of Caucasia.' Folklore