Body Guards Protective Amulets Charms Author:Desmond Morris When it is threatened, the armadillo rolls up into a tight ball and is protected by its armor. Humans have no such armor and often we feel vulnerable as we go about our lives. We take special precautions daily to protect ourselves. From insurance policies to burglar alarms and pepper spray, we do practical things to feel secure. But they often f... more »ail to keep twinges of worry away. In over forty years of traveling and studying the human species, Desmond Morris has noticed that everywhere he has been, people always have some kind of lucky charm, protective amulet or talisman. The form it takes varies from country to country and culture to culture, but in each place the favorite charm is treated very seriously and endowed with helpful, magical properties. Sometimes it is meant to protect its owner form bad luck, sometimes its meant to bring good luck. Always there is a fascinating history or symbolic background to the talisman. In Bodyguards, Desmond Morris shares his life-long fascination with the universal human belief in the power of charms and amulets to protect from evil and bring the bearer luck. Beautifully illustrated throughout with full-color photographs of more than one hundred amulets from his own collection, Bodyguards provides an account of the traditions and mythology behind these amulets, charms, talismans, symbols and sayings, sharing their fascinating history and stories explaining why they have become so popular.« less