Historical Dictionary of Fantasy Literature (2nd ed.)

Fantasy is both old and new. In the ancient past, stories of magic, where supernatural creatures existed, the gods walked the earth and heroes saved their civilizations from the dark fate that awaited them were intermingled with history, religion, and fact. It is only in the last few hundred years that a conscious suspension of disbelief has allowed us to return to fantasy: the literature of the impossible and appreciate it for its craft and storytelling once more. Historical Dictionary of Fanta