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
This book is a fine supplement to her other non-fiction: The Greek Way and The Roman Way. All of the major lore from ancient times is compressed into this book. She has skillfully blended it from the writings of Aeschylus, Aristophanes, Euripides, Sophocles, Ovid, Homer, Virgil, and a myriad of other poets and historians from the ancient world. These are the details that make her work soar above that of Bullfinch. Tagged on is a quickie from the mythology of the Norsemen.
Helpful Score: 1
This was a required reading book for high school that I actually loved!
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
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
From Amazon.com:
Edith Hamilton loved the ancient Western myths with a passion--and this classic compendium is her tribute. "The tales of Greek mythology do not throw any clear light upon what early mankind was like," Hamilton explains in her introduction. "They do throw an abundance of light upon what early Greeks were like--a matter, it would seem, of more importance to us, who are their descendents intellectually, artistically, and politically. Nothing we learn about them is alien to ourselves." Fans of Greek mythology will find all the great stories and characters here--Perseus, Hercules, and Odysseus--each discussed in generous detail by the voice of an impressively knowledgeable and engaging (with occasional lapses) narrator. This is also an excellent primer for middle- and high-school students who are studying ancient Greek and Roman culture and literature.
Edith Hamilton loved the ancient Western myths with a passion--and this classic compendium is her tribute. "The tales of Greek mythology do not throw any clear light upon what early mankind was like," Hamilton explains in her introduction. "They do throw an abundance of light upon what early Greeks were like--a matter, it would seem, of more importance to us, who are their descendents intellectually, artistically, and politically. Nothing we learn about them is alien to ourselves." Fans of Greek mythology will find all the great stories and characters here--Perseus, Hercules, and Odysseus--each discussed in generous detail by the voice of an impressively knowledgeable and engaging (with occasional lapses) narrator. This is also an excellent primer for middle- and high-school students who are studying ancient Greek and Roman culture and literature.
I loved this book. It was interesting, easy to understand, and quick.
An absolute treasure. Includes stories about all Roman & Greek Gods and classic stories like The Adventures of Odysseus, The Fall of Troy,
and Demeter.
and Demeter.
I really liked Ms. Hamilton's writing and the fascinating stories she tells. A great read!
An orderly and lucid presentation of Greek, Roman and Norse mythology. Miss Hamilton wrote this book in 1942, but her work is classical and timeless.
Used this book for lit class. Was great to get quick stories of various people from Greek mythology.
Classic text.
This is an academic read...but a classic look into Greek Mythology.
Way before The Lord of the Rings, the original High Fantasy was the Greek and Roman tales of Gods and Heroes.
These stories have it all: Love, Valour, Heroes, the stories of Creation. I loved it and hope you will too.
These stories have it all: Love, Valour, Heroes, the stories of Creation. I loved it and hope you will too.
Riveting translations of classical tales captivate the reader.
great summary of greek, roman, and norse mythology.
Classic and timeless as the myths themselves. Hamilton is the standard by which all other mythology books are measured.
Great book, used it in an ancient history class.
A classic of greek mythology! Very comprehensive!
Great for the history buff
Amazon.com
Edith Hamilton loved the ancient Western myths with a passion--and this classic compendium is her tribute. "The tales of Greek mythology do not throw any clear light upon what early mankind was like," Hamilton explains in her introduction. "They do throw an abundance of light upon what early Greeks were like--a matter, it would seem, of more importance to us, who are their descendents intellectually, artistically, and politically. Nothing we learn about them is alien to ourselves." Fans of Greek mythology will find all the great stories and characters here--Perseus, Hercules, and Odysseus--each discussed in generous detail by the voice of an impressively knowledgeable and engaging (with occasional lapses) narrator. This is also an excellent primer for middle- and high-school students who are studying ancient Greek and Roman culture and literature. --Gail Hudson
Edith Hamilton loved the ancient Western myths with a passion--and this classic compendium is her tribute. "The tales of Greek mythology do not throw any clear light upon what early mankind was like," Hamilton explains in her introduction. "They do throw an abundance of light upon what early Greeks were like--a matter, it would seem, of more importance to us, who are their descendents intellectually, artistically, and politically. Nothing we learn about them is alien to ourselves." Fans of Greek mythology will find all the great stories and characters here--Perseus, Hercules, and Odysseus--each discussed in generous detail by the voice of an impressively knowledgeable and engaging (with occasional lapses) narrator. This is also an excellent primer for middle- and high-school students who are studying ancient Greek and Roman culture and literature. --Gail Hudson
"Timeless tales of Gods and Heros"
Timeless Tales of gods and Heroes.
The stories I have read are very good.
Card catalog description
A collection of Greek and Roman myths from various classical sources arranged in section on the gods and early heroes, love and adventure stories, heroes before and during the Trojan War, and lesser myths. Includes a brief section on Norse mythology. --This text refers to the Paperback edition.
A collection of Greek and Roman myths from various classical sources arranged in section on the gods and early heroes, love and adventure stories, heroes before and during the Trojan War, and lesser myths. Includes a brief section on Norse mythology. --This text refers to the Paperback edition.
I can't review this book because I ordered it for my daughter's English class that was switched to second semester. It will be a few months before she actually reads it.
