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Mythology | 
 enlarge | Author: Edith Hamilton
Publisher: Back Bay Books
Category: Book
List Price: $13.99
Buy New: $6.50
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Rating:  79 reviews
Sales Rank: 896
Media: Paperback
Pages: 512
Number Of Items: 1
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
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Condition: New - Has remainder mark. Fast shipping from trusted wholesaler with many exclusive publisher contracts.
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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
Product Description
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
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| Customer Reviews: Read 5 more reviews...
 I couldn't stand it at all!! August 11, 2008
volleyball6483
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.
 This is the fundamental popular text on Western mythology. June 13, 2008
William J. Romanos (Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, USA)
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
This book is the fundamental popular exposition on Western mythology, with particular emphasis on the Greek myths (as well as the Roman). It is the standard work for a popular audience and is excellent.
I would also recommend Joseph Campbell's books on mythology as well. Particular his Primitive Mythology, Oriental Mythology, Occidental Mythology, etc.
 MYTHOLOGY by Edith Hamilton April 4, 2008
Gandhi the Vile (Tulsa, OK)
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
Jessica Swan (London, England, UK)
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
James Skrydlak (Mountain View, CA)
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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