Product Description
This unique work is the first comprehensive genealogical chart of virtually all of the named figures of Greek mythology that can be shown to be related. The product of more than 35 years of research, the book includes a 72-page continuous chart that links 3,673 named figures into a single "family tree" spanning 20 generations and an 80-page index that provides a citation to an authoritative ancient source for each relationship.

The genealogy begins with Chaos and--based on works by Hesiod, Homer, Aeschylus, Pindar, Bacchylides, Herodotus, Euripides, Apollodorus, Pausanias, Diodorus Siculus, and scores of other ancient poets, playwrights, and writers--continues down through the Titans, the gods, legendary kings, and such well-known figures of literature as Odysseus, Jason, Antigone, and Helen of Troy, as well as hundreds of obscure figures, including their spouses, paramours, children, and descendants.

The chart shows all of the known relationships--parental, marital, and extramarital--of each figure. In addition to furnishing a citation for each relationship, the index provides brief descriptive information and indicates the quadrant and page of the continuous chart where the relationship is depicted. A two-page master chart illustrates the relationships among the principal figures. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Optimum for greek mithology
If you like Greek Mithology this book is very beautiful with great charts!

Tiziano

Only a genealogy
Be aware that this book contains only genealogical charts; there are no myths discussed in it.The charts are extensive, if not exhaustive, though.

Excellent Source- Ties Information Together
This beautifully bound masterpiece not only offers fans of Greek mythology an excellent source for information on thousands of figures, major and minor, it also ties information together by showing the genealogical connections between different members of greek myths.
This book is an integral part of the library of anyone interested in Greek mythology, at any level. For an expert, it provides detailed genealogical charts. For those just starting out in their study of Greek mythology, it is an indespensible resource that helps everything make sense. Five stars

A Labor of Love and Beauty
The New York Times recently ran a glowing front page story on this work, with almost a page more inside. Having received my copy, it is easy to see why. The book is beautifully produced. A sturdy orange and black hardcover protects 263 pages, each 16 inches long by 10 and a half inches high. This is a big book. The work was begun in 1964 by Harold Newman, an well-known and highly regarded attorney in Connecticut who died in 1993 at the age of 93. His son, Jon O. Newman, then took the book up and finished in it 2002. Jon Newman is one of the greatest jurists of our times, serving on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. His reputation for brilliance and attention to detail are legendary, and are well-reflected in this work. Given that Judge Newman's father hand-lettered the copious charts on large cardboard sheets, the statement in the Preface that "appropriately for a work of genealogy, this has been a father-son project" hits the mark.
But why would a busy, towering figure in law complete a genealogical chart on Greek mythological figures? One answer is that it was a great mitzvah for a son to complete a work his father spent almost 30 years on. A second answer is tradition; in circles of Jewish learning (a circle which certainly includes Judge Newman), there is a Hebrew saying "Lomdei Toratecha Lishmah," loosely translated as "the study of Torah for Torah's sake." One learns because it is one's obligation to. The subject of study may vary, but the obligation is always there. "A Genealogical Chart of Greek Mythology" is an exemplary work of Lomdei Toratecha Lishmah. Only a love of learning could lead to a work so thorough and beautifully presented. But there is a third reason, and one that should commend others to purchase the book. It is a really useful book, for serious and amateur students of Greek mythology, and for crossword puzzle fanatics, such as my wife. One need never miss a question about Greek mythology again.
In an age when books have become a corporate commodity, "A Genealogical Chart of Greek Mythology" reminds of what it was once like, when great scholars labored for love and we the public could soak in that both the love and the learning they poured into their books. It was a mitzvah for Judge Newman to complete the work and it is a mitzvah for the rest of us to buy it support future projects (and five stars for the University of North Carolina Press for undertaking and publishing it): besides, you'll have a great time with it.
William Patry ... Read more

Product Description
This work provides an analysis of the influence of the classic myth on the study and execution of artistic and scientific endeavours throughout the ages. The book summarizes all the myths and legends of the lesser Gods and heroes, and traces their origins in historical fact or religious myth. It also shows how myths have continued to evolve throughout the ages. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

A scholarly summation from an earlier time
I bought this book while searching for a summary of up-to-date points of view on the Greek myths, but "Myths of the Greeks and Romans", first published in 1962, is no such thing. (Note that although the listing here says that this edition is "revised and updated", according to the title page only the bibliography has been updated.) It sorely feels the lack of half a century of archaeological and historical research, and of theoretical and literary perspectives. This is a pity, because the conception of the book, as a way of organizing the vastness of its material, is a good one: choose a number of ancient literary sources, summarize a myth or myth-cycle taken from each one, and discuss the history, background, alternate versions, and continuing literary legacy of that myth.

Grant finds opportunities at various points in these discussions to introduce the layperson to an array of the theories that had been applied to myth by the mid-twentieth century: the aetiological, the ethnological, the psychoanalytic, the search for traces of history, various poetic theories, and so forth. (Incidentally, the book entirely omits footnotes for the scholars and works mentioned, and most of them are not even in the bibliography; though I realize that this is a conscious decision to avoid intimidating lay readers, I think it's a poor one.) Grant's eminently sensible insistence that "no single theory, however valuably suggestive, will suffice to explain the whole range of Greek and Roman mythology, or even a major proportion of its content" leads to some good passages, such as the section of the chapter on Demeter where his discussion of the relation between ritual and myth presents arguments for the primacy of the one and the other and points out that it's not necessary to choose between them. I also was impressed by his discussion of tragedy, from "Agamemnon" to the "Bacchae".

Nonetheless, in a number of chapters, he doesn't quite succeed in subsuming the work of other scholars into a well-constructed, comprehensible organization. Furthermore, his summaries of literary works are written with mediocre style themselves, and his work is full of a certain mid-century stodginess; his praises of the universal qualities of the myths come from a cultural perspective just different enough from mine to make it obvious that he's mistaken in what he thinks is universal. Perhaps no suitable replacement for this good, but far from perfect, book has yet been written; but I hope it has.

A new look at some old stories
As important as almost any literature is in understanding Western culture are the tales of Greek and Roman mythology.Unlike Shakespeare, Chaucer or Cervantes, however, these stories are not identified with a single author, but rather a number of big names, including Sophocles, Aeschylus, Euripides, Livy, Ovid and most notably (and perhaps most legendary), Homer.These stories have endured for millennia, and have been related by a number of authors over the years.Michael Grant is walking over familiar ground with his book on these myths, but he still is able to provide a new look at these old stories.

Grant, an author on numerous books on ancient history (particularly Greek and Roman, but also other Mediterranean communities), definitely has the credentials to write about these stories.The myths themselves are actually just the starting point in his discussion; what follows after the tales is an analysis of the impact of the story.

An example would be the story of Oedipus, in particular, Sophocles play, King Oedipus (also known as Oedipus Rex).First Grant tells the story in a rather straightforward narrative with occasional interruptions where he provides excerpts from translations.He then discusses some of the history behind Oedipus and some of the thematic issues:for example, why is Oedipus punished for a fate beyond his control?Grant also discusses Freud and the Oedipus Complex.

What's important to Grant is that these myths are not mere entertainments, but instead have a depths and breadth that goes well beyond the actual tale.All the well-known tales are discussed:the Iliad and the Odyssey, Jason and the Argonauts, Perseus, Aeneas, Romulus and Remus, and many others.What is sad is the amount of material that has been lost to the ages, such as most of the plays of Sophocles and Aeschylus, or the lost parts of the grand Trojan War epic of which the Iliad and Odyssey were only a part.

While Grant can sometimes be a little tedious in his histories, he is in top form with this book.I would not recommend this book as an introduction to these myths (as storytelling is not Grant's primary objective), but if you know them already, this book is great:it'll give you a fresh, insightful look into these classic stories.

By Jove
Michael Grant begins with the battle for Troy, a war so epic that the gods themselves descended into the field of battle. From there we learn of Odysseus, Dido and Aeneas, Jason, Apollo, Diana, Zeus and Hera, Ulysses and the rape of the Sabine women. Invaluable either as a reference source or as a means of reading the tales of the ancients. ... Read more

Product Description
From Hercules’ snake assassin slippers to Arachne’s wicked weaver rap songs, these are the mythic monsters and Hellenic heroes that have captured Western culture for centuries—but a whole lot more fun. Each story showcases the wondrous and blunderful antics of gods and mortals in bright graphics that rival the super-heroic action of The Lightning Thief, burst with the knock-yoursocks- off humor of Jeff Kinney, and still remain unerringly faithful to the original myth. Kids won’t be able to resist the bickering sheep, unruly rulers, and undercover details of Amazing Greek Myths—while teachers, librarians, and parents can relish this new way to share moral messages that remain as relevant today as they were a thousand years ago. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

Awesome book for kids
I picked up this book at the library as my 7 year old daughter was showing interest in Greek Myths (and she's really into comic book/graphic novel type books right now).She couldn't put it down, so we decided to buy it for ourselves. She takes is everywhere so she can bury her nose in it.We read it at night and laugh at the "modifications" to the characters to make them more silly and approachable for kids.It's a silly book and certainly not accurate-to-the-core stories but kids get the jist of the myths in a silly and colorful way.A friend of my daughter's like it too and her dad bought it for her -- he has his Bachelor's degree in Classic Languages and is well versed in the Greek Myths.Highly recommended

Bunny beware
It's been an uncommonly good year for graphic novel Greek myths, don't you think?From George O'Connor's amazing new series (starting with "Zeus: King of the Gods") to two different takes on the Odyssey by Gareth Hinds and Tim Mucci, I suppose we have Percy Jackson to thank for this bountiful harvest of Greek God magnificence.Of course, all the books I've just mentioned are best suited for older readers.Let us not forget that there are nine-year-olds out there who'd like some mythmaking as well.Preferably in color.Preferably with a bit of humor stuck in for spice.If you were to plan the perfect kid-friendly version of these myths, I'll be frank with you, you wouldn't dream up Michael Townsend's "Amazing Greek Myths of Wonders and Blunders".Not because it isn't good, of course, but because unless your brain has warped in all the right places NOBODY would be able to dream up a book like this one.Townsend taps into his love of pure animal extravaganza, producing a book so madcap, wild, uninhibited, and inspired that it'll either burst the blood vessels in both your eyes upon contact with its content or you'll find yourself so sucked in that only a steady diet of Pixie Stix and Yo Gabba Gabba will produce the same thrill.The back of the book reads, "WARNING: These aren't your parents' Greek Myths!"Actually they are.But when it comes to the presentation they are 100% kid.

There are several different ways to go about presenting a book of myths.You could be chronological or choose stories that have something in common.Townsend selects nine tales of his own and if there's any connection between them, maybe it's how much comic gold each one can potentially yield.So it is that we read about Pandora and her descent into box-related madness, Arachne and her big head, and a Pyramus and Thisbe that rivals "A Midsummer Night's Dream" in hilarity.Side characters like a smelly donkey, doomed bunnies, and some stupid sheep add a little spice on the side.Townsend always remains essentially true to the original tales, but that doesn't mean he can't have a little fun along the way.

You don't tend to expect to learn something new from a graphic novel, and I certainly expected to already know all the myths included in this book.ESPECIALLY the story of King Midas.What's not to know?Midas is greedy, a god grants him the gift of turning stuff into gold, he can't eat, his daughter gets transformed, end of story.I guess I somehow missed the entire Silenus element.Silenus, in one version of the story, was Dionysus's teacher and one day he got lost.Midas found him and returned him to Dionysus who, in turn, granted Midas the gift of turning anything into gold.Kinda cool, and I certainly had never encountered that element in a children's book before.Mind you, Townsend sort of ups the ante later when he includes other details from other stories that I'd forgotten (Hercules accidentally killing his whole family, anyone?).He may deviate from the originals when it comes to small details (I'm pretty sure Aphrodite didn't walk about with her name emblazoned on her rear... though she totally would have, had she thought of it) but the essentials are always there.

With any book of Greek myths for kids you're going to have to inevitably wonder how the author deals with all the sex.Gods have a tendency to bed pretty ladies and the results aren't always family friendly.There are ways around this, of course.You can talk about sex in vague, "Apollo chased a pretty girl until she turned into a tree" terms and no one under the age of eleven will be the wiser.But Townsend's solutions to these awkward elements are so ballsy that I actually felt my jaw hit the floor when they happened.Okay, you want an example?Check this out.If you know the story of Perseus then you know that his mother was kept away from all of mankind until Zeus arrived and impregnated her.Okay, so that's in this book too, but Townsend's method of impregnating the princess is, quite frankly, hilarious.The text says, "Nothing he [Acrisius] could do would ever keep the mighty Zeus from helping a lonely, pretty princess in need."Zeus appears, says he's here to help, points at her stomach, you see a gigantic pink "POOF", and then the princess exclaims, "Wow, I'm pregnant!"Giving her the thumbs up Zeus points out that now she'll never be lonely.I'm sorry, but that's so gutsy it actually deserves some credit.I mean, why not go that route?Sure beats explaining how a beam of sunlight's supposed to knock up a girl anyway.In another example of child-friending it up, Townsend makes Hades a bloke obsessed with perking up the underworld and Persephone a little girl whose very dances can grow flowers.Ipso facto, his interest in her is solely happy dance based.And I can dig it.

This isn't the first children's book Michael Townsend has seen fit to bless of with, of course.Back in the day he wrote the picture book "Billy Tartle in Say Cheese!" and two "Kit Feeny" graphic novels.These books shared this book's feel of barely suppressed insanity, but didn't really connect in the same way.You got the feeling that Townsend was reeling himself in with each book.Like he wanted to just let go and either he couldn't or someone else couldn't allow him to do so.There was the palpable sense that with every turn page you might easily find yourself unexpectedly facing a scene of unsurpassed madness.It's an unnerving quality to any work and maybe that's why those books have sailed under the radar until now."Wonders and Blunders", in contrast, embraces Townsend's wilder instincts and manages to do so in a way that kids just go gaga for.

I'm not lying to you when I say that since the moment my library purchased this book we have been 100% unable to keep it on the shelf.Some smart cataloger thought to place it in our Greek Myth section on the non-fiction shelf rather than the Graphic Novel part of the library.The result is that when a kid asks me for the Greek Myths I dutifully lead them over the 200s and their eyes zero in on Townsend's red, yellow, and purple spine.Before I can so much as say, "They're in this section" the child has burst from my side, grabbed the book from the shelf, and is running to the nearest comfy couch as if fearful that I'll take the book away from them.There's something about it that appeals to them in the same way "Captain Underpants" does.It's that mix of adult and child humor, unafraid to be downright nutty in its pursuit of the funny.If you want something appropriate for small fry that'll accidentally teach them about the Greek myths, almost by accident, Michael Townsend's your man.A book that looks like nothing so much as an alternative comic mixed with a box of explosive Pop Rocks.And that's a good thing.

For ages 8-12.

Great way to get kids interested in mythology
I bought this (at full price) for my 7-year-old daughter, who absolutely loved it.We have fun discussing what parts are from "real" Greek mythology and what parts are from the author's imagination (like the arguing sheep).The other day when we were driving in the car, she asked me to quiz her on Greek mythology!It's silly and goofy and beautifully illustrated with 1000 things to see on each page.I find myself flipping through it when tidying up her room.Highly recommend.

my six-year old LOVES this book
My daughter has asked me to read her this book probably 100 times by now. Fortunately, it's a pleasure to read as it is both funny and teaches about myths.

This book is silly, goofy and just plain fun!
My sister checked out this book from the library after we went to a restaurant and saw two young boys laughing hysterically over it. She read the first page and immediately started giggling. I looked over her shoulder and tried to see what was so funny. I read a couple of passages and it was love at first sight. My little sister is going into the 4th grade and I'm going into 7th, so we usually don't read the same books, but its hard for anyone NOT to laugh at this book. We still have the book checked out, and I've read it 3 times already, plus I laugh every time! I recently did a report on Greek myths, so I recognize the connection between the traditional myths and the ones in this book. It was accurate, but added a funny zest to each of the 9 stories. However, this book shouldn't be used as a source for a report. I'm pretty sure that Greek gods didn't dress up like pink, fluffy bunnies. This book was awesome and I'm going to buy a copy of my own so I can take it to school and share it with my friends! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Most imformative Greek myth book
I have used this book in the mythology classes I teach and have found it to be a reliable and noteworthy resource. My students are able to use it for their Greek God Reasearch Project and find information not always included in other encyclopedias and dictionaries of Greek gods.

As for typos and spelling errors, I have not noticed a problem with either, though some of the spellings are British English instead of American English.

Find a better book!
I received the 2003 edition (exact same cover) as a gift and although I absolutely love Greek mythology, I gave this book away because it was so poorly edited.The number of typos and misuse of punctuation completely ruined this book for me.I will be looking for one that's written / edited better! ... Read more

Product Description
A significant part (if not a cornerstone) of most any middle school literature curriculum, Greek mythology lends itself to exploration through readers theatre distinctly because of its trademark high drama and action. Each of these 26 scripts introduces a character or characters from Greek mythology and chronicles some of the important surrounding mythical events. Students get to know heroes, such as Heracles and Athena, in addition to lesser-known but equally fascinating figures, such as Chiron and Asclepius. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Great Short Mythology skits
If you are teaching Greek Mythology, this is the book for you. the book includes everything from a pronunciation guide to delivery and costumes suggestions. This is a great way to either begin or end a unit on lythology, pair it with some read-a-louds of Greek or Roman myths and your students will become well versed in ancient Greece. Just be certain to use the pronunciation key because some of the names and locations can be tongue twisters. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Gods and Godesses In Greek Mythology
I really liked this book, it was easy and entertaining to read. It was fairly easy to understand, and the pictures helped to aid in understanding the whole consept. I suggest anyone that would like to broden thier horizon on greek mythology or are just looking for something different to read to give this book a go. I really , really, liked it!!!! ... Read more

Product Description
Recounts the glorious days when gods and godesses who dwelt on Mount Olympus ruled over the world of mortals below, and fabled heroes performed mighty deeds of valor. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (16)

Seller listed this book on "GOOD" condition
Wrong. The cover of the book is badly stained, the pages have all turned brown with age. At best this book should have been listed as "acceptable" with a description of the stains,etc. Seller was misleading. Will not purchase from seller in the future.

Excellent basic introduction to Greek mythology
We hear such words and names as Zeus, Ariel, Titans, and Hermes quite frequently. But where do all these names and words come from? What is the history behind them? These and many other familiar questions will be answered in Greek Gods and Heroes (Laurel-leaf books) pocket book. The text is very easy to read and understand as the author Robert Graves has written the book in extremely prosaic way. Short stories are fascinating and interesting and the narrative plot is like a vivid adventure. This paperback is excellent basic introduction to Greek mythology and very enjoyable to read.

Nice Easily Accessible Narrative Versions Of the Major Myths
If you're seeking a scholarly examination of the origins of Greek Mythology, this isn't your book. Robert Graves left us short narrative style -easy to read selections that cover many of the Greek myths in a style that is easy enough to be read by a child yet still provides a nice refresher or introduction to the general reader. These are great tales, in some cases familiar and yet by reading through them you will learn things about the origins of certain words and expressions that are still culturally relevant. A very nice little book to breeze through but don't expect too much detail.

Disappointing
This was a strangely disappointing purchase. Given Robert Graves's reputation and his poetic background, I would have expected something that was concise but lyrical and engaging. Instead, while this book does seem precise and organized, it comes across more as vehicle for efficient information transfer than a collection of some of the world's greatest stories told by one of the world's great storytellers. The tone is dry, even mundane, and sucks much of the drama and power out of the myths - eg, this happened, then this, then this, then he/she died, the end. Oddly short on the sort of language and narrative arc that generally make myths exciting and memorable.

Good intro and excellent for overviews.
I gave a lower rating as I need more background information. The book does exactly what it says: give you an overview and an introduction to Greek mythology. It's a very raw form of introducing the novelty reader to the material and meets that need well. I agree with a previous commenter who stated it's great for kids and teens.

Regardless, this should be in your shelf as a reference. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Encylcopedia....I don't think so
I've always had an interest in Greek and Roman mythology.So when I saw this on Amazon, I had to get it.

Maybe I just didn't read all the fine print.And since no one had reviewed it...it was a gamble for me.

So I thought I'd help out those who had my same idea.

When they say encyclopedia, I think of Britannica, with all the pictures and information behind each article, being the visual person I am.But this "encyclopedia" is nonsense.It looks like just a bunch of newspaper articles.A very BORING "encyclopedia."I returned it right away.

I do realize that the subject of mythology is huge.The book is not even 2 inches thick, and about the size of an 8x10 photo.How can they put all that information on this little book?I know...take out all the visual information, and you've got it... ... Read more

Product Description

The gods and heroes of ancient Greece shake heaven and earth in a collection of over thirty stories that breath new life into the myths of Olympus. Here is the triumphant tale of the Trojan Horse, the tragedy of Oedipus, the downfall of Medusa and more. Witness the grand drama of some of the best known heroes of all time in a fresh rendition of these timeless tales. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (10)

A early favorite
Greek Gods and Heroes is one of the better books on mythology for children out thare, with great pictures and easy to understand stories that people of all ages can enjoy. As a child it was my favorite book in the school library and I checked it out over and over again. It is a must have for any fan of the greek gods and the myths about them.

Fun, Easy Read
This book was fun to read. I question the accuracy of some of the tales, as they differ slightly from other versions I have read. However, it is good, light reading and it covers nearly all of the major Greek gods and heros. The reading level is pretty low which allows for maximum retention of the important plot points, rather than requiring the reader to filter through all the language to get to the point. Great bedtime reading material

Great book - a good introduction to Greek mythology
I purchased this book for my 9 year old son as a companion book to several astronomy and constellation guides he requested for his birthday.He completely devoured it in three days - the illustrations are bold and the stories are dramatic/gruesome enough to capture his interest (without being too horrible or nightmare-inducing).We are finding that knowing a bit about the legends behind the constellations makes stargazing that much more enjoyable. I would recommend this book for boys and girls 8-10 years old, although I admit I enjoyed reading it, too!

Fun and educational
I took a college World Mythology course over the summer and my 5 and 7 year olds were interested in the pictures in my textbooks. Striking while
the iron was hot, so to speak, I ordered them this book to study along with mom.It was fun for me to read as well as enjoying and understandable for them.This book was a great choice.

Children like this book
My children (ages 5-10) love this book.I have also read from this book to hospitalized teenagers; when I read Oedipus I finished the story and heard a chorus of "read it again!"

I noticed that some of the reviews posted here say that this book is unsuitable for children, but I wonder if the reviewers actually tried reading the book to them. ... Read more

Product Description

This revised translation of Fritz Graf's highly acclaimed introduction to Greek mythology offers a chronological account of the principal Greek myths that appear in the surviving literary and artistic sources and concurrently documents the history of interpretation of Greek mythology from the 17th century to the present. First surveying the various definitions of myth that have been advanced, Graf proceeds to examine topics such as the relationship between Greek myths and epic poetry, the connection between particular myths and shrines or holy festivals, the use of myth in Greek song and tragedy, and the uses and interpretations of myth by philosophers and allegorists.

Customer Reviews (2)

Outstanding historical approach to Greek Myth
I'm a bit puzzled by the previous review's claim that this book does not spend much time discussing different approaches to mythology.That's what the first two chapters ofthis book are all about!.Graf first provides a historical discussion of "myth", "mythology", and their meanings from ancient Greece up throught the end of the 19th century.The second chapter discusses the various approaches to myth that have been dominant in the 20th century-- the myth-and-ritual school, psychoanlalysis, structuralism, etc.For each of these, Graf provides both a discussion of the various approaches, as well as a critical discussion of their merits and shortcomings. (Perhaps the previous reviewer skipped these chapters?)

The remaining chapters of the book offer up a kind of intellectual and cultural history of Greek mythology from the Mycenean Age to the late Hellenistic era, discusing how the various stories that make up what we call "Greek Mythology"
were various understood, approached, told, retold, changed, transformed valued, revalued, etc., from approximately 1200 BC through the Roman era.One chapter deals with Homer, Hesiod, and the early poetic traditions.Another deals with the religious/ritualistic ue of myth, another with tragedy, another with history, and yet another with late "mythography" and criticism.

All in all, I'd say this is an excellent introduction to the study of Greek mythology within the historical, cultural, and literary context in which its stories emerged, were established, and were later fixed. Please be aware, however, that it is not a mere "handbook" (a la Edith Hamilton or the New Larousse Handbook of Mythology).Rather it is an scholarly analysis into the historical cultural function(s) of myth in ancient Greece-- but one which is presented on a general, survey level,.... so that it can easily be read and appreciated by
non-scholars.

good general introduction
Graf's mythology handbook of the Classical world is a great begining text for undergraduates or those merely reading for their improvement.Howeer, he spents little time on comparative approaches between mythology whichmost textbooks at least pay lip service to. ... Read more

Product Description
Entertaining and educational, The Everything Classical Mythology Book is a superb introduction to ancient Greek and Roman mythology. For those of us who cannot recount the twelve labours of Hercules, how Odysseus tricked the Trojans, why the phrase "Achilles Heel' was first coined, or how Medusa was slain, this comprehensive volume will provide answers to these and hundreds more enquiries. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

Greek God Encyclopedia
It makes the mean things the Greek Gods did in their stories seem almost nice and kid friendly. It really is packed full of all the things on Greek Gods

It does the job.
I wanted a book that gave an overview of Greek and Roman mythology. and also provided lists of various gods and their counterparts, i.e., the Greek god is ------ and the counterpart Roman god is ------.

This book gives me what I wanted.

No Pictures
There are no pictures in this book so it's not much fun.The illustrations that are in the book are bad drawings of ancient sculptures.I'm returning it.

HELP!Editors needed!
While this reference is quite basic, it is easy to follow the lineage and obtain a working knowledge of classical mythology from this book.HOWEVER, beware that there are several misprints that will confuse the reader, as well as references in the index to characters that do not appear on the mentioned page.Thus, the book is in dire need of a decent editor.

Decent book for beginners.
This "Everything" guide is a good book for younger readers and those who are only starting to get into mythology.At over 290 pages, it covers the major players and who's who of Roman and Greek mythology (as in Jupiter/Zeus, Venus/Aphrodite, the Trojan War, Odysseus, et al).

However, more serious and 'seasoned' fans and scholars will likely prefer THE COMPLETE IDIOT'S GUIDE TO CLASSICAL MYTHOLOGY by Kevin Osborn.We're not idiots, of course, but this book is meatier and has more background information on the various gods/goddesses, heroes and stories. At over 350 pages, it is 60 pages thicker than the "Everything" book and has smaller text and less white space.For instance, an entire chapter is devoted to the Trojan War hero Achilles while the "Everything" book only has a few pages, at the most.

Fans who want more than classical mythology will want to explore MYTHOLOGY FOR DUMMIES by Christopher Blackwell.This book also delves into the Arthurian legend, Norse myths, Beowulf, as well as world mythology in general (Chinese, Jewish, Hindu, etc).

These 3 books are all excellent. The choice lies on the readers' level of interests.I would recommend the "Everything" book toyounger readers (middle or high schoolers, for instance) and those who just want the basics on classical mythology. ... Read more

Product Description
Walk among the gods and goddesses, men and monsters, in this enchanting volume of classic Greek myths! Here are twelve of the most beloved legends of Greek mythology, from Pandora and her dreaded box to Icarus with his wings of wax, and, of course, that greedy, gold-fingered King Midas. Vibrant art adds a fresh twist to this collection, giving today's readers their own version of these timeless tales.

Eric A. Kimmel brings these adventures to life with language that is colloquial and easy to read. Pep Monserrat breathes beautiful modern colors and style into his paintings, even as he reinvents images from classical antiquity. Together they've created a masterpiece of mythology, perfect for young readers. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

Great introduction to Greek myths for children
As some other reviewers have noted, the stories in this book of Greek myths are written more for children than for adults, in that the stories do not contain all of the background stories of some of these myths. An example is the story of "Theseus and the Minotaur" - the origin of this creature (possessing a man's body and a bull's head) is not delved into, and I am thankful for that because it does pose problems of explaining it to my 5-year-old daughter (considering the Minotaur was the offspring of Minos' wife and the Cretan bull!). I appreciated how the author, Eric Kimmel simplified the prose to make it easier for young children to follow the stories. My daughter and I both loved the illustrations - there is a modern feel to them and a fun take of these classic myths. The artist, Pep Montserrat brings these myths to life in a compelling yet subtle manner, For example, Medusa is not portrayed in all its horrifying glory - only the back of the creature's head is shown, which I felt was apt considering the target audience of this book (I certainly did not wish my preschooler to get nightmares).

The stories featured here are:
Prometheus
Pandora's Box
Persephone and Hades
Echo and Narcissus
Arachne
Pygmalion and Galatea
King Midas and The Golden Touch
Orpheus and Eurydice
Jason and the golden fleece
Daedalus and Icarus
Theseus and the Minotaur
Perseus and Medusa

For those looking for a more unabridged version of the Greek myths, I'd recommend D'Aulaires' Book of Greek Myths and The Greek Myths: Complete Edition. As for compilations for children, I also liked Greek Myths for Young Children (Stories for Young Children).

Myths are Honored
This book is favorite on our home library shelf.
The myths are honored by the authors treatment.
Understandable heros and villians.
McElderry's finest yet.
Great for the 5-10 year old crowd, definitely!
A fine book.

"Mom, DON'T STOP READING!!"
I suggest this book:
-For the artwork.
-Those wanting to provide a captivating introduction to the Greek Myths.
-Greek Myths aside, to those who are looking for a just fabulous story book to share with their kids!What I am saying is that this is such a piece of art in itself, that even those who aren't particularly looking for Greek Mythology, will still find much to love about this book.

I love reading to my children myths, of all sorts, and also differing versions of the same myths, for each one has something unique to offer, and together they offer a patchwork of humanity.This retelling is delightful, captivating, vivid, and expresses all the humanity and emotion that are the heart of these myths.

It is worth buying for the artwork alone... the type of illustrations that you just want to sit and look at over and over again! My 6 and 4 year old were captivated by them.The textures that are used to make up the images made my son and I look closer to try to figure out how the pictures were made.

This is the book for you if you want something that really brings the stories to life, and leaves you feeling like you shared a rich experience with your children... one that invites you to think, feel, and want to revel in the stories again.The stories are clear and understandable to the young, flow from one story to the next in a way that helps you recognize the relationship of the different characters in different stories to each other, and is just plain fun to read.My 6 year old didn't want me to stop, and had me read it to him cover to cover.The stories stayed with him and later while playing the spontaneous comment "I don't want to be greedy,"emerged from his musings over the stories.
While a historical overview of different versions and pinpointing and comparing where this retelling diverges from other versions would have been interesting, I don't fault the book for not having it.What it did accomplish was so well done, it is a jewel for what it is, not a failure for what it's not.Like a previous reviewer said, those who become interested in the Myths can go on to learn more about them from other sources. And this book is likely to endear these stories to the reader in a way that will encourage more learning. I fancied the way the introduction invites readers to join the generations of people who have shared these stories, and to now, make these stories your own.That is just what the author and illustrator have done... their rich craftmanship shows they have made these stories, which 'belong to all of us',their own.
I suggest buying this book and making it "your own," too!

Wonderful to Read Aloud, Beautiful Illustrations
I've read many collections of Greek Myths to my children, but this one is the best by far.The illustrations are gorgeous, Eric Kimmel's narrative flows wonderfully(as usual), and it's just plain fun to read aloud.I checked this one out from our public library, but I will definitely be purchasing it.I know D'Aulaires Book of Greek Myths is considered the gold standard of Greek Myth books, but the illustrations in that book just aren't exciting and colorful (I know it was published awhile ago, when full color art wasn't as common).I will probably buy that one when my children are older.Right now, my kids like to look over my shoulder at the pictures, and the McElderry Book of Greek Myths has beautiful, colorful pictures throughout, illustrations that really capture the spirit of these myths.

A Wonderful Introduction for Young Readers
This is currently my 5-year old son's favorite book. Although I sympathize with the criticisms of the previous review regarding the "accuracy" of the storytelling in this book (anyone who has studied mythology knows that many versions of various myths have existed over the centuries), these stories and the accompanying illustrations are wonderful and will thoroughly captivate young readers. Certainly, it is not a definitive source for scholarship, but that isn't its intent. It is an introduction intended for young children. These stories are filled with a fair dose of brutality and cruelty (as they have always been), but some have been changed to shorten them and others to avoid some more difficult and disturbing topics -- for example, the "true" story of the Minotaur's origin is not told in order to avoid the subject of Pasiphae's amorous encounter with a white bull. Nevertheless, this collection of foundational stories will delight children and adults alike. Those with a continuing interest will surely find other, more mature versions of these myths as they grow older, but this book is a wonderful place to start. ... Read more

Product Description
This concise, abridged edition of Pierre Grimal's celebrated "Dictionary of Classical Mythology" brilliantly distils and captures the essence of Greek and Roman mythology. It is the ideal reference tool for anyone with an interest in the Classics or those seeking to explore the many allusions to its mythology that abound in later literature. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Accessible
This dictionary on Classical Mythology, i.e. Greek and Roman, is incredibly accessible to any level of reader.The information is presented clearly with just enough detail for clarity. A reader does not need to be well versed on a given character or story to gain great insight from this text.

The only reason give this book 4 stars is not because of the material presented, but the materials used to produce the book.Like most books of this type, they are value priced.As a result,the materials can be sub-par.In the copy that I have, the pages are overly thin and the print bled through in some places.

Better than other dictionaries of Classical Mythology
I think P. Grimal's dictionary(hardcovered one) is the best among many encyclopedias or dictionaries of Greek and Roman Mythology .But I can not say this translation is the best , because there are many mistakes and someomitted entries. If you can read French , I recommend to read theoriginal "DICTIONNAIRE DE LA MYTHOLOGIE GREQUE ET ROMAINE"written by P. Grimal himself.Although English-version has these weakpoints, as far as I know , only this book andWilliam Smith's old"Dictionary of Greek and Roman Biography & Mythology" areworth to read with Greek alphabet spelling of proper noun et sourses ofClassical texts. ... Read more

Product Description
In this new and substantially revised edition of H. J. Rose's classic survey and analysis of the evolution and tradition of Greek myth, Robin Hard adds various features which bring the work up-to-date with contemporary scholarship and address the needs of students.* a new preface analysing and contextualising H. J. Rose's attitude to myth* a new chapter devoted to the epic and other poetic sources of the myths, narrative prose mythography and the various forms of rationalisation* a new chapter examining the relationship between the different myths of Gods and heroes, with genealogical tables. Robin Hard shows how the myths of individual families and distinct locations hold together to form a coherent pseudo-historical pattern* extensively revises and simplifies notes* a new annotated bibliography.A Handbook of Greek Mythology presents a invaluable and user-friendly guide to the myths and legends of ancient Greece - their genesis, sources, development and significance. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

very good and descriptive
This book is very descriptive yet is simple enough to where a third grader could read and comprehend the text quite well. The only thing that keeps this book from getting 5 stars is that it i quite short. But I think myself that it is worth your money ... Read more

Product Description
Presenting the newest discovery in the series with the Midas touch — a mythical exploration fit for the gods

In the early nineteenth century, an English nobleman embarked on a tour of the sites of ancient Greece. He brought as his guide a primer on Greek myths written by his friend Lady Hestia Evans, a devotee of Lord Byron who had recently taken the same voyage. In the true Romantic spirit, Lady Hestia’s book was not only lavishly illustrated but also boasted many paper crafts and novelties, including a card game featuring the twelve Olympians, an oak-leaf oracle of Zeus, a pop-up Pandora’s box (with hope still inside), a booklet retelling the tale of Odysseus, a piece of the Golden Fleece, a gold OBOLOS coin to pay the ferryman on the River Styx, and many more flaps, foldouts, and other surprises. The nobleman added his own witty comments and drawings along the way, but seems to have wished for something odd at the Delphic oracle: as the book nears its end, it slowly begins to turn . . .to gold. Now, for lovers of Greek myths and those just discovering their timeless power, this fascinating volume is faithfully reproduced with all its Romantic ambience, clever wit and novelty features intact. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (22)

Attractive introduction to Greek & Roman Mythology
Ologies are a way to inspire learning and interest, and this is a great Ology. It includes a fun 3-player card game, the signature pop-ups/pull-outs, a short Greek alphabet handbook, gorgeous illustrations, and a good mix of long and short mythological stories. I was a little bummed about some of the themes and stories from Greek mythology that were missing from the book, and some topics get nothing more than a mysterious introduction. The 8 year old that I purchased it for absolutely loved it, and was able to comprehend the information. I would recommend this to anyone buying a gift for a child aged 7-13.

great book for Percy Jackson fan aged 10
great book for Percy Jackson fan aged 10. very educational and well put together too

Mythology richly transcends,time and progress, into another world of knowledge in fascination for future generations to read!
For thousands of years people have been fascinated and interested in mythology we have craved to know more about the knowledge of these amazing ancient civilisations Gods/Goddesses have always been paramount in our lives a fixture.Many films have been made many stories written our fascination of interest continues. Mythology is a great exploration into the lives of the great and,powerful Greek Gods and Goddesses their wars and tribulations. This book is cleverly written richly illustrated and replete with hands on novelties, trivia and pop ups, this fanciful book provides the perfect venue to the mesmerizing and timeless tales of Greek Gods/Goddess. It offers accurate descriptions, pictures and illustrations.I found myself captivated by this book and have a sonlike me that,s proud to own,it.It goes us through a transition of all the mythical deities and gods with ease and perfection giving us a perfect,guide into the good the bad andthe lives of immortals and mortals in bringing it forward for future generations to come to read!

Fun for my 7 year old
These are her thoughts about the book.She enjoyed the unusual construction of the book, including its little pockets and prizes and other surprises scattered throughout.The "pop up" features were especially entertaining.The colorful pictures were nice, especially those of the Greek gods.There is also a card game included (along with an instruction book) that she enjoys playing.Mythology (Ologies)

Disappointing and lack of female representation
I bought this for my daughter who loves mythology.It was disappointing, mostly because there was only one page of female mythology figures....There are more complete and inclusive books on mythology out there, save your money for those if you value more equitable gender representation. ... Read more

Product Description
Born in 1841 in a small Quaker settlement in the backwoods of Indiana, James Baldwin rose to become a highly-respected author and textbook editor. Largely self-educated, Baldwin became a teacher at 24, then served as superintendent of the graded schools of Indiana for 18 years before moving into the publishing world. As an editor of school books, first with Harper and Brothers and later with the American Book Company, he selected the best of our literary heritage and cast it into a form that delighted children of all ages. His influence in the first decades of the twentieth century was broad because of all the grammar school books in use in the United States at that time over half had been written or edited by him. He is remembered most for the books of introductory historical sketches he wrote for younger students and his retellings of the legends of the heroes for older students. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Mythology for kids
This is a book of Greek mythology which I assumed would be for adults, but it's obviously for kids. It has stories of Jupiter, Venus, Juno and other gods, and familiar tales like Prometheus giving fire to humans, Medusa and Perseus, Atalanta and the apples, and more. I deliberately and happily know nothing about kids, so I have no idea what age group the book is appropriate for. ... Read more

Product Description
The ancient Greeks and Romans created the most enduring cultures known to humanity and a pantheon of gods who live on in some of the greatest myths ever told: of Athena, goddess of battle, of Dionysus, god of wine and fertility, and of Narcissus, who fell in love with his own reflection. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

great pictures and text
An excellent overview of Greek and Roman myths, with plenty of gorgeous photographs of sculpture and paintings.Just the right amount of detail without being overwhelming. ... Read more

Product Description
What would Apollo's online profile look like? What would Aphrodite say if she had her own blog? Greek mythology hall of famers meet the modern age in a new series that brings the superstars of Greek myth to life with stories that put them in the pantheon! Complete withprofiles, headshots, family trees, fascinating sidebars and irreverent surprises, Mythlopedia is for readers who love action, romance, power struggles and more! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

A fun intro to mythical Greek monsters
I bought this in order to give me a little background information while I was reading the "Percy Jackson and the Olympians" series of books. The material is presented in a fun and playful way. There are certainly other books that present the material in a much greater depth, and provide many more esoteric beasts, but this was pretty good for a cursory introduction in a light manner. I would recommend it to young readers, and the "young at heart".

Fun and Educational
My daughter learned a lot from this entire series. We both love to sit down and read all of the Mytholopedia books together. The books aren't very big but they are packed with info and entertainment. There are a lot of fun illustrations and the writing is clever and current. These books are a great way to get kids interested in Mythology.

I would never use this seller again.
Book was ordered on July 15th, suppose to be delivered a few days later. As of August 16th, book has not arrived. I sent a request for an update 2 weeks ago, no response. This "seller" needs to learn about customer service and delivering what you promise. I would NEVER use this seller again.

love it!
My 8 year old son is reading the Percy Jackson series and wanted to know more about the creatures and characters in the novels. I bought 3 books: the Gods, Goddesses and Beasts. He loves the beast book best, but reads all of them with great interest.

Easy digestible pieces that are fun for kids to grasp
I had needed a book on three Greek characters for a history class for a homeschool group of children ages 4-9. The information and presentation was fun and not overwhelming for everybody.The kids loved that it was full of pictures, little bullet points and side bar information.

I didn't give it 5 stars because I need to check the accuracy of some of the information in there. Either Percy Jackson is wrong about the lineage of the cyclops or this book is.Also don't look to Clash of the Titans to keep you straight on the stories as they mix up the origins throughout the movie. ... Read more