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Mythology
Mythology
Author: Edith Hamilton
Edith Hamliton presents Greek, Roman and Norse mythology to the casual reader as well as the avid student. This is a sound, modern and adult key to the foundation stones of world literature.
ISBN: 411048
Pages: 465
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0 stars, based on 0 rating
Publisher: Little, Brown
Book Type: Hardcover
Other Versions: Paperback, Audio CD
Members Wishing: 0
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Top Member Book Reviews

reviewed Mythology on + 203 more book reviews
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
embchicken avatar reviewed Mythology on + 95 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
Good book for background information. Kind of dry.
annalovesbooks avatar reviewed Mythology on
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
reviewed Mythology on + 720 more book reviews
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.
iloveyouhecried avatar reviewed Mythology on + 38 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
This was a required reading book for high school that I actually loved!
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reviewed Mythology on + 100 more book reviews
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.
reviewed Mythology on + 3 more book reviews
Great book, used it in an ancient history class.
reviewed Mythology on + 64 more book reviews
great summary of greek, roman, and norse mythology.
reviewed Mythology on + 88 more book reviews
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.
reviewed Mythology on + 88 more book reviews
Riveting translations of classical tales captivate the reader.
reviewed Mythology on + 813 more book reviews
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.
reviewed Mythology on + 13 more book reviews
Great book
reviewed Mythology on + 81 more book reviews
I loved this book. It was interesting, easy to understand, and quick.
reviewed Mythology on
Used this book for lit class. Was great to get quick stories of various people from Greek mythology.
WhenPigsFly avatar reviewed Mythology on + 56 more book reviews
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.
reviewed Mythology on + 9 more book reviews
I really liked Ms. Hamilton's writing and the fascinating stories she tells. A great read!
reviewed Mythology on + 33 more book reviews
An absolute treasure. Includes stories about all Roman & Greek Gods and classic stories like The Adventures of Odysseus, The Fall of Troy,
and Demeter.
reviewed Mythology on + 7 more book reviews
"Timeless tales of Gods and Heros"
reviewed Mythology on + 121 more book reviews
Timeless Tales of gods and Heroes.


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