What does "Big Brother" tell us about Athenian democracy? What does the fate of Achilles say about the death of Ayrton Senna? Do pop stars sell their souls to the devil? Why does anyone want to be famous? And why do we want them to be? We're told that we're celebrity-obsessed. But are we? When we elevate mere mortals to the status of gods, is this a new disease, or a more ancient instinct? Throughout history we have defined ourselves with reference to famous people and allowed them to exercise a strange power over us. But we have power over them too. Whether they are renowned for their intelligence, beauty, valor, athletic prowess or artistic genius, or even nothing in particular, they have always been at our mercy: We can give them glory and take it away. Has fame changed? And is our fascination with it really such a bad thing? Tom Payne expertly surveys deities and divas through the ages to answer these puzzling questions and many more.

Fame: From the Bronze Age to Britney

Politics & Social Sciences

Tom Payne

Social Sciences

Vintage Books USA

The Ancient Art of Growing Old

Literature & Fiction

Classics

Random House/Vintage Books

Crown Court Index 2021

His Honour Judge Mark Lucraft QC

Criminal Law

SWEET MAXWELL

The Hippo-Not-Amus

Jan Payne

scholastic

<p>Kermit the Frog shares his thoughts on such topics as The Frugal Frog (recession tips), Finding the Tadpole Within, Green and Mean (tips on saving the earth), and Frogs Who Love Too Much</p>

One Frog Can Make a Difference: Kermit's Guide to Life in the '90s

Humor & Entertainment

Robert P. Riger

Humor

Pocket_Books

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Books by Tom Payne