Mythology | 
 enlarge | Author: Edith Hamilton
Publisher: Back Bay Books
Category: Book
List Price: $13.99
Buy Used: $2.05
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Avg. Customer Rating:  79 reviews
Sales Rank: 3113
Media: Paperback
Edition: 11
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 512
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.6
Dimensions (in): 8.3 x 5.3 x 1.3
ISBN: 0316341517
Dewey Decimal Number: 292.13
EAN: 9780316341516
ASIN: 0316341517
Publication Date: September 14, 1998
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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Amazon.com Review
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
Product Description
A new trade paperback edition of Edith Hamilton's world-renowned classic--a book that has enthralled and delighted generations of readers with its timeless tales of gods and heroes. 50 line drawings.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 74 more reviews...
 Mythology Review September 5, 2008
This book was a requirement for my AP class, and it definitely served its purpose. I do know that you should find the latest edition because it has all of the helpful stuff like author bios and the like. This collection of myhtologies is like cliff notes for nearly every mythological story imaginable.This means that if you truly want detailed informatioon, this may not be the correct purchase for you. For all school/educational purposes, this collection is well equipped to aid you in your endeavors.
Some may say that it does not give accurate accounts of certain events, but need i remind you that in mythology, there is no corrrect or set standard of a story. In mythology there are constantly changing elements, none of which transform the meaning of the story. This set of stories by Edith Hamilton actually tells the original/most famous version of the tale, then gives alternate endings/summaries of other versions.
Good Luck!
 I couldn't stand it at all!! August 11, 2008
1 out of 2 found this review helpful
This book made me want to fall asleep! Just like some other reviewers, I don't suggest reading it unless it is required reading, which unfortunately it was for me. :( I had a lot of trouble understanding who was who due to the fact that characters were referred to by both their greek and roman names. I couldn't concentrate on the text for more than a minute at a time. I normally enjoy the majority of books, even when they are required. In fact, no matter how long a book is, even 400+ pages, I normally finish it in a day because I get sucked into it. Well, this book is definitly not one of the best books I have ever read. I don't recommend this book unless you have a high understanding of mythology and really enjoy it.
 MYTHOLOGY by Edith Hamilton April 4, 2008
3 out of 5 found this review helpful
Mythology is classicist Edith Hamilton's book on Greek, Roman and Norse mythology, illustrated by Steele Savage (no kidding). The bulk of the work is devoted to the Greek, and the Norse is mentioned only in passing. Myths are arranged thematically, not chronologically (except for the initial creation), which is disruptive to the flow of the work.
Hamilton does several things well. First, she gives history on the authors from whom these stories have descended, and differentiates between their styles. Second, she gives good insight into the character of the people of the time as well as into the character of the mythological figures. She obviously knows the material and cares about it.
Mythology reads like a history book. Many stories get wrapped up too quickly, and quite a few are told too simplistically. Many details are left out. The writing is juvenile at times, and paragraph flow is occasionally an issue. This is almost a Cliff's Notes on mythology. Ultimately, Hamilton makes most of these myths boring. Others, with too many details cut out, the reader will find hard to get into.
Mythology has some good things to offer, but on the whole, this is an inferior way to enjoy the myths. This book may be useful to some as a quick-reference guide, but that's about it.
TAKE IT OR LEAVE IT
the gold standard March 3, 2008
4 out of 4 found this review helpful
Hamilton is definitely the gold standard for retelling these glorious, ancient myths. Her style is engaging and the structure of the book makes it very easy to keep track of such ridiculously branched family trees. This is much more than just a reference book...it's more like a giant Greek fairytale book.
A Classic - For Good Reason February 22, 2008
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
Hamilton's Mythology is frequently one of the first books on mythology that any young person encounters; in my case, I encountered it as a sophomore in high school in 1966. More than forty years later, I still find it fresh, informative, and entertaining.
Edith Hamilton assembles her accounts from many different sources, sometimes choosing one, sometimes combining several, and always giving her reasons for her choices. The introductions listing the sources therefore serve as suggested reading for the student who wants more detail. Her prose is lively and, at times, wryly humorous.
This isn't a book of intense, detailed scholarship, but it is an excellent introduction to the myths of the ancient Greeks and Romans and also a book to which the serious scholar of mythology can return time and time again for pleasure and perhaps even a fact or two that had escaped notice previously.
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