Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.97 AVERAGE
3.97 AVERAGE
funny
informative
slow-paced
The definitive mythology tome. Edith Hamilton’s commentary is clear and often scathingly funny. She reveres and dunks on ancient sources in equal measure.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Violence, Murder
Moderate: Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence
Minor: Incest
The author talked about her sources for the stories. She also gave a "family" tree. Then she told the stories in clear language. Before each story, she mentioned which of the authors she used and why. There was not much about Norse Mythology. Maybe 30 pages. I would have liked more Norse. Then I could have given it 5 stars.
looove has inspired me to read this book... i was informed about a number of mythical stories while at the poconos... decided to read this, since it was on our bookshelf, in between reading Valley... I don't think I'll get confused between the two books... haha
An exhaustive and very well written retelling of mostly Greek mythology. A classic for good reason.
A very comprehensive and succinct introduction to Greek, Roman, and Norse mythology. You get rudimentary knowledge on how the early people try to make sense of what's around them. Full of great and gory stuff which makes for a fun (and a bit unpleasant) reading.
This is a good introduction to myths; Greek to norse and some in between. The ladies pronunciation of words threw me off and audible doesn't separate the myths just huge chapters that doesn't really say what that chapter is about.
Other than that i liked the audio book.
Other than that i liked the audio book.
I am not a fan of classics, however this book was used as our class text book for the semester and I must say the short stories were interesting. I didn't much like some of the themes nor how the gods felt they have a right to be entitled to relations between humans and themselves. But it was an interesting semester read.
I am not a fan of classics, however this book was used as our class text book for the semester and I must say the short stories were interesting. I didn't much like some of the themes nor how the gods felt they have a right to be entitled to relations between humans and themselves. But it was an interesting semester read.
This is an excellent compilation of the Greek Myths told with brevity and insight. The author provides a small snippet of information preceding each myth that details which source(s) she is taking from and what year it was likely first written down. In 465 pages she covers a lot of ground and does so by speeding through the source material. An in-depth look into any single one of these myths would require a different book.
I'd recommend reading the Greek Myths in some form although it doesn't have to be this book. The Greek Myths really resonated with me for their honesty, and I believe everyone can benefit from these old stories. The ideal of Good vs Evil is largely absent in the myths, and each god, hero, and villain is understandable in their convictions and relatable in their actions. Evil is hardly a motive, but rather love, lust, hate, jealousy, curiosity, etc. Each hero has his vice and even the most wretched of figures aren't so unlike myself. The Greeks didn't fool themselves like we do today with our fiction and politics.
I'd recommend reading the Greek Myths in some form although it doesn't have to be this book. The Greek Myths really resonated with me for their honesty, and I believe everyone can benefit from these old stories. The ideal of Good vs Evil is largely absent in the myths, and each god, hero, and villain is understandable in their convictions and relatable in their actions. Evil is hardly a motive, but rather love, lust, hate, jealousy, curiosity, etc. Each hero has his vice and even the most wretched of figures aren't so unlike myself. The Greeks didn't fool themselves like we do today with our fiction and politics.