Mythology by Edith Hamilton (2013-03-26)

Curiously, the stories that are told are presented rather like Reuters news reports. Largely devoid of story telling "decoration". I guess that Ms Hamilton is trying to be true to the source, in some sort of scholarly way, but I was hoping for the deliciously rich storytelling that I remember my Latin master delivering to us 40 years ago in school. I'm still enjoying it, but can't help feeling that it could have been more. It's particularly odd that Hamilton often tells which of the ancient poets she has derived a story from, and it seems that more often than not she'll say "I took this from Apollodorus" but even in her first mention of him she herself calls him dull, and often repeats that denigration in or about the same paragraph as she says he's the source for yet another story. All in all, it seems an odd choice. Nevertheless, the stories, even in what I must assume is a scholarly undecorated presentation, are classics for a reason.

Edith Hamilton has an incomparable style and poise. Eloquent language mixed with thoughtful message. This book should be part of every college curriculum. Fantastic mix of history, culture, philosophy, and current politics.

This book is great if you are interested in Greek/Roman mythology, however it is not great for Norse. It gives you background that you won't find in ancient text and so it is a great starting point if you are planning to read ancient texts. I wish that the Norse portion was longer or at least told a story like in the Greco-Roman section, but it was just a very broad overview. I think in order to get more Norse, she should have just written a separate book. My rating is based on the Greek/ Roman section of the book.

This book provides an excellent summary of Greek and Roman mythology, and provides a good overview of Norse mythology as well. I've owned several copies over the years, and recently bought a copy as a gift for my son.

Hamilton's Mythology is a classic. The author synthesized the greatest of the Greek and Roman poets and historians to provide the reader with an amazing introduction to Greek and Roman Mythology. As a reader I found out so many roots to words and concepts that are used in every day language. Hamilton provides useful information and fills in the gaps from classics such as the Iliad and the Odyssey. She utilized many sources and gives a wonderful introduction to each chapter. Parental warning - these stories are fantastic but sometimes brutal and graphic to those with an imagination. Definitely a PG-13 book if it were made into a movie.

A great maay children started their mythology interest off, when the teacher recommended this book. In all these decades, it is still one of the best works and is cheaply purchased. The stories are accurate and acceptable myth versions, simply put in wording for the beginner to follow the storyline easily. It is very well geared for a young mind. It is my long held opinion, that this makes a good text book for home schoolers. And it was the textbook when I took a mythology class in 1972-73.

I bought this older volume for sentiment, after my own old book mildewed from a storm problem. I thought I was getting the *white* cover, shown on this page... but it arrived with the dark cover... something only a collector would mind. There is a modern print & slightly larger size version with all the same inside, but I find it hard to handle, thus my normal-sized paperback purchase.

A great way to learn about Greek mythology. I read several mythology books so far and this is by far the best one. Easy to read and the author does a great a job at giving brief history introduction regarding each story. I would recommend it.

This book is an excellent overview of mythological stories. My son's frosh English class in high school requires it. An appropriate choice. Wish I'd received such a unit on myths in high school.

This book flows easily from one story to the next. She gives you a clear explanation of who each god/goddess was and what they represented. Their family trees are given but she also explains it throughout the book. Overall, it's a very nice read.

Mythology can be confusing and complex but still this author hits it outta the park. An absolute joy to read I looked forward to it every time with excitement and was sad when I read the last story. Her explanations are clear and without embellishment giving you a simply great depiction of ancient Greece and what life must have been like when these stories were most popular. The end section about Norse mythology was just as awesome though sadly only a few stories long. I like also that at the beginning of each story she tells you from which ancient poet she is basing her adaption on and why, she explains the different styles of the Greek and Roman poets and how its relevant to the telling of the story. Not only that but she explains the symbolism behind characters like Hercules and Thesis and why they did the things they did. Fantastic and I would love to read more of her work and I can't wait to read this to my children one day for bed time stories!

This book is very, very comprehensive, it covers most all of Greek mythology, and some Norse mythology as well. It is written in such a way that the layman feels smart but the expert still feels satisfied. It is very easy to see the Heroic Journey (Katabasis) in the way Hamilton writes. If you do read this book make sure to read the introduction as it gives you a better feel of how the Greeks thought of their gods and how this mythology is different from Norse or Egyptian.

All the important Greek and Roman mythology is included in this work, with a few "Norse tales" tacked onto the end for flavoring, one supposes. The Norse myths comprise the book's final "Part Seven", which runs only from page 443, to the end at page 462. These myths of the Northern European Peoples appear after "Part Six", which bears the rubric "The Less Important Myths".
Only indirectly, and briefly does the author mention such German myths as The Nibelungenleid and Parzival, and then she merely dismisses them thus: "Sigurd is the most famous of Norse heroes; his story is largely that of the hero of the Nibelungenleid, Siegfried... I have not gone into it, however."
There are no Celtic myths. The legend of Arthur's round table at Camelot is omitted, and so are the tales of Roland and the Paladins of Charlemagne. The Holy Grail is nowhere to be found, and there is not a single word about Uncle Remus.
All that having been said, one must wonder if the title "Mythology" isn't overstating, just a bit. It certainly leads to disappointment if a reader makes his decision based on the title alone. Perhaps "Classical Mythology" would better suit the text.
All of the above doesn't make this a bad book. Actually, the author has turned in a workman-like performance, and all the Greek and Roman foundation tales of Western Civilization are included.
I have found the dust jacket blurbs, on my 1942-copyright, used edition, to be interesting reading... this book is a good place to get acquainted with classical mythology.

Mythology can be confusing and complex but still this author hits it outta the park. An absolute joy to read I looked forward to it every time with excitement and was sad when I read the last story. Her explanations are clear and without embellishment giving you a simply great depiction of ancient Greece and what life must have been like when these stories were most popular. The end section about Norse mythology was just as awesome though sadly only a few stories long. I like also that at the beginning of each story she tells you from which ancient poet she is basing her adaption on and why, she explains the different styles of the Greek and Roman poets and how its relevant to the telling of the story. Not only that but she explains the symbolism behind characters like Hercules and Thesis and why they did the things they did. Fantastic and I would love to read more of her work and I can't wait to read this to my children one day for bed time stories!

This book is very, very comprehensive, it covers most all of Greek mythology, and some Norse mythology as well. It is written in such a way that the layman feels smart but the expert still feels satisfied. It is very easy to see the Heroic Journey (Katabasis) in the way Hamilton writes. If you do read this book make sure to read the introduction as it gives you a better feel of how the Greeks thought of their gods and how this mythology is different from Norse or Egyptian.

All the important Greek and Roman mythology is included in this work, with a few "Norse tales" tacked onto the end for flavoring, one supposes. The Norse myths comprise the book's final "Part Seven", which runs only from page 443, to the end at page 462. These myths of the Northern European Peoples appear after "Part Six", which bears the rubric "The Less Important Myths".
Only indirectly, and briefly does the author mention such German myths as The Nibelungenleid and Parzival, and then she merely dismisses them thus: "Sigurd is the most famous of Norse heroes; his story is largely that of the hero of the Nibelungenleid, Siegfried... I have not gone into it, however."
There are no Celtic myths. The legend of Arthur's round table at Camelot is omitted, and so are the tales of Roland and the Paladins of Charlemagne. The Holy Grail is nowhere to be found, and there is not a single word about Uncle Remus.
All that having been said, one must wonder if the title "Mythology" isn't overstating, just a bit. It certainly leads to disappointment if a reader makes his decision based on the title alone. Perhaps "Classical Mythology" would better suit the text.
All of the above doesn't make this a bad book. Actually, the author has turned in a workman-like performance, and all the Greek and Roman foundation tales of Western Civilization are included.
I have found the dust jacket blurbs, on my 1942-copyright, used edition, to be interesting reading... this book is a good place to get acquainted with classical mythology.

I remember being captivated by this book and its stories when I was in the 5th grade. I recently bought it for my 5th-grade daughter, when she started reading the "Pendragon" series, so she would have a better understanding of the mythological references in that modern children's series. She liked it better than Pendragon!

Excellent introduction to Greek and Roman mythology. Provides good resources so the reader can find the original to read, in translation. Solid reading for any student interested in mythologies of the west.

Great condition, I use this book in the classroom, the kids love it, glad I found it, there are many out there. being an older book I thought the condition would not be that great even used the book look like first print! Very pleased.

My daughter for the past few years has gotten into Greek mythology and I haven't had the time to find her a book. The book just came in and she couldn't be happier. 465 pages about Monsters, Mortals, Gods and Warriors. The last ten pages or so speaks about Norse Gods. I'm happy with this. (I am from Puerto Rico. Sorry if my English isn't the best)

my granddaughter loves to hear stories of greek mythology i.e. Hercules, Medusa and this book more than fills the bill - I think it has every mythological creature you have ever heard of or seen in movies.