Helpful Score: 3
Great classic book!
From back cover:
For over fifty years readers have chosen this book above all others to discover the thrilling, enchanting, and fascinating world of Western mythology. From Odysseus's adventure-filled journey to the Norse god Odin's effort to postpone the final day of doom; Edith Hamilton's classic collection not only retells these stories with brilliant clarity but shows us how the ancients saw their own place in the world and how their themes echo in our consciousness today. An essential part of every home library, MYTHOLOGY is the definitive volume for anyone who wants to know the key dramas, the primary characters, the triumphs, failures, fears, and hopes first narrated thousands of years ago--and still spellbinding to this day.
EDITH HAMILTON is the acclaimed author of 'The Greek Way' and 'The Roman Way,' which have been read by generations of readers around the world. She was made an honorary citizen of Athens in 1957.
"Ms. Hamilton arranged her rich material with the idea of achieving the maximum sense and readability . . . [and] making her subject attractive for the reader of today." -- New York Times Book Review
"Sure taste and scholarship.. . . Excellent introductions to each section." -- The New Yorker
From back cover:
For over fifty years readers have chosen this book above all others to discover the thrilling, enchanting, and fascinating world of Western mythology. From Odysseus's adventure-filled journey to the Norse god Odin's effort to postpone the final day of doom; Edith Hamilton's classic collection not only retells these stories with brilliant clarity but shows us how the ancients saw their own place in the world and how their themes echo in our consciousness today. An essential part of every home library, MYTHOLOGY is the definitive volume for anyone who wants to know the key dramas, the primary characters, the triumphs, failures, fears, and hopes first narrated thousands of years ago--and still spellbinding to this day.
EDITH HAMILTON is the acclaimed author of 'The Greek Way' and 'The Roman Way,' which have been read by generations of readers around the world. She was made an honorary citizen of Athens in 1957.
"Ms. Hamilton arranged her rich material with the idea of achieving the maximum sense and readability . . . [and] making her subject attractive for the reader of today." -- New York Times Book Review
"Sure taste and scholarship.. . . Excellent introductions to each section." -- The New Yorker
Helpful Score: 2
Good book for background information. Kind of dry.
Helpful Score: 1
ISBN 0316341142 - Mythology is a bit like Pokemon to me - I can't remember all those names and I certainly can't remember who's got what powers. I had hope that this book would help me start to remember at least some of it, but it seems to have made things a little worse.
Author Edith Hamilton retells various Greek and Romans myths, in her own words. Most gods are referred to by both names which, at least for me, only adds to the confusion. On top of that, Hamilton's writing style doesn't appeal to me. I had to read and re-read sentences, not because they were complex and confusing but because my mind would actually wander in the middle of sentences - not a good indicator.
Clearly, mythology is a matter of taste, but if you're anything like me - a bit ignorant on the topic and trying to correct that - this book is a good reference, something to open and rely on for info, but not a good read.
- AnnaLovesBooks
Author Edith Hamilton retells various Greek and Romans myths, in her own words. Most gods are referred to by both names which, at least for me, only adds to the confusion. On top of that, Hamilton's writing style doesn't appeal to me. I had to read and re-read sentences, not because they were complex and confusing but because my mind would actually wander in the middle of sentences - not a good indicator.
Clearly, mythology is a matter of taste, but if you're anything like me - a bit ignorant on the topic and trying to correct that - this book is a good reference, something to open and rely on for info, but not a good read.
- AnnaLovesBooks
Helpful Score: 1
Table of Contents includes: The Gods, the Creation and the Earliest Heroes (examples: the Titans, Olympians, Roman gods, Dionysus, Bacchus, Cyclops); Stories of Love and Adventure (ex. Cupid, Orpheus, Pygmalion, the golden Fleece, and Pegasus); The Great Heroes Before the Trojan War; The Heroes of the Trojan War; Great Families of Mythology; and Norsemen.
Helpful Score: 1
This was a required reading book for high school that I actually loved!
