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17th out of 409 books
—
820 voters
Bulfinch's Mythology
For almost a century and a half, Bulfinch's Mythology has been the text by which the great tales of the gods and goddesses, Greek and Roman antiquity; Scandinavian, Celtic, and Oriental fables and myths; and the age of chivalry have been known.
The stories are divided into three sections: The Age of Fable or Stories of Gods and Heroes (first published in 1855); The Age of...more
The stories are divided into three sections: The Age of Fable or Stories of Gods and Heroes (first published in 1855); The Age of...more
Paperback, 862 pages
Published
August 11th 1998
by Modern Library
(first published 1855)
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Have problems distinguishing Perseus from Theseus? Can't tell a Titan from an Olympian? Do those mythology questions on Jeopardy leave you stumped? Could mythology be your Achilles heel?
If your knowledge of Greek mythology is derived primarily from Saturday morning cartoons, then maybe it's time for a refresher course. Yes, I know - life is busy, and you have philosophical objections to the dominance accorded the Greeks where mythology is concerned. Too bad. That argument may be theoretically so...more
If your knowledge of Greek mythology is derived primarily from Saturday morning cartoons, then maybe it's time for a refresher course. Yes, I know - life is busy, and you have philosophical objections to the dominance accorded the Greeks where mythology is concerned. Too bad. That argument may be theoretically so...more
I have mixed feelings on this book. I bought it to read because I heard it was a good resource to get caught up on Greek myths before my Literature GRE and I read a bit more than half of the book before giving up on it (p. 468). While I really liked the excerpts from literature used when explaining the various gods and goddesses and other mythological characters, I did not like the structure of the book. It was in no sort of coherent order. I also did not like the comment by the author at the be...more
3 likes · like · see review
This book seems like a great starting point for people interested in Greek Myths, Charlemange/Chivalry and Norse Myths.
I already knew all the Greek Myths so I skipped through them quickly.
The Charlemange and Chivalry section was interesting. It had historical info on knights and their lives. He also has the legend of King Arthur.
The Norse myths were the most interesting for me. It can be difficult to find good sources on the gods of Asgard. Reading about Thor is always awesome.
There is a story w...more
I already knew all the Greek Myths so I skipped through them quickly.
The Charlemange and Chivalry section was interesting. It had historical info on knights and their lives. He also has the legend of King Arthur.
The Norse myths were the most interesting for me. It can be difficult to find good sources on the gods of Asgard. Reading about Thor is always awesome.
There is a story w...more
For almost a century and a half, Bulfinch's Mythology has been the text by which the great tales of the gods and goddesses, Greek and Roman antiquity; Scandinavian, Celtic, and Oriental fables and myths; and the age of chivalry have been known.
The stories are divided into three sections: The Age of Fable or Stories of Gods and Heroes (first published in 1855); The Age of Chivalry (1858), which contains King Arthur and His Knights, The Mabinogeon, and The Knights of English History; and Legends...more
The stories are divided into three sections: The Age of Fable or Stories of Gods and Heroes (first published in 1855); The Age of Chivalry (1858), which contains King Arthur and His Knights, The Mabinogeon, and The Knights of English History; and Legends...more
Thomas Bulfinch taught at Harvard College in the mid-1800s. He saw a need to collect myths and legends of the classical and later world, as these were important parts of the Western culture. Three books ensued: "The Age of Fable," "The Age of Chivalry," and "Legends of Charlemagne."
First, there are nice introductions to each of the three component works. These provide useful context for what follows.
"The Age of Fable" includes some well known episodes, such as Prometheus and Pandora, Midas, Mo...more
First, there are nice introductions to each of the three component works. These provide useful context for what follows.
"The Age of Fable" includes some well known episodes, such as Prometheus and Pandora, Midas, Mo...more
Damn. Bulfinch's Mythology. About as classic as you can get. The early Victorian (hence highly bowdlerized and edited) version of classical Greek and Roman ideas about their then gods and goddesses. I'm sure you'll expect an erudite and telling critique of this all too proper version of stories that in the beginning (and for a very good while thereafter) were about as improper as improper could be. Well, the worse for you, friend.
A very long time ago, when I and my now long-time spouse were you...more
A very long time ago, when I and my now long-time spouse were you...more
2 likes · like · see review
Nov 28, 2010
Rebecca
rated it
3 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
books-i-own,
reference-books
I was a little disappointed to discover that this edition cuts out all but the myths from cultures besides Greek and Roman, which I'd really looked forward to, and there were some other edits to cut out "superfluous" material, that isn't really superfluous to people who are trying to study the myths. But I paid $1.50 for it at a book sale, so I'll take it and be grateful.
I found it odd that Bulfinch uses primarily the Roman names for the gods and goddesses, rather than the more commonly known G...more
I found it odd that Bulfinch uses primarily the Roman names for the gods and goddesses, rather than the more commonly known G...more
I picked this book up as a means of studying more mythology (I am a mythologist who has competed at a national level) and let me tell you, I have never had such a hard time finishing a book as I had with this. I started this book two years ago and I was only able to read roughly 150 pages of it. It is made up of a series of short (often flawed or religiously biased) stories and is incredibly dry. Bulfinch has mastered the art of horrible storytelling and appalling use of language. I don't reall...more
A good addition to anyone's mythology collection. I am disappointed by the heavy focus Greco-Roman mythology, since books on that topic are easy to come by, and the sparse attention to Irish mythology. However, there is a nice portion of medieval myths that aren't commonly encountered. Remember, though, that this isn't a modern book, so you'll need to be prepared for that 1700-1800s style of writing, which some other reviewers have remarked as being dry or otherwise unappealing. If you can get b...more
First off, I read a very old edition of The Age of Chivalry and the Legends of Charlemagne, without The Age of Fable. Apparently, this sort of edition no longer exists, so I review it here.
Overall, my impression of this book can be boiled down to: Holy Euphemism Batman!
It was written in a different era, and the language reflects that. It makes it a slow read, but interesting. But whenever sex comes up (and it does, a lot), the oldness of it means that it has to be heavily euphemised. There's a l...more
Overall, my impression of this book can be boiled down to: Holy Euphemism Batman!
It was written in a different era, and the language reflects that. It makes it a slow read, but interesting. But whenever sex comes up (and it does, a lot), the oldness of it means that it has to be heavily euphemised. There's a l...more
While a very ambitious work, Bulfinch's Mythology didn't quite live up to my expectations. Assembling it was clearly a major undertaking, but the spotty coverage and uninspiring presentation hinder the overall quality of the work.
The book starts off fairly strongly, with an exhaustive chronicle of Greek mythology. Here Bulfinch's enthusiasm for the topic is clearly visible. Not only does he relate the stories, but he also points out allusions to the characters and themes to them in literature a...more
The book starts off fairly strongly, with an exhaustive chronicle of Greek mythology. Here Bulfinch's enthusiasm for the topic is clearly visible. Not only does he relate the stories, but he also points out allusions to the characters and themes to them in literature a...more
The graphic is misleading, as I did not read all three volumes that make up Bullfinch's Mythology, I only read the Age of Fables--his account of Greek and Roman mythology. The book starts out with the creation account and concludes with an exploration of the realms of the dead as told by Virgil in his account of Aeneas. Between them, are the various hero stories and othes.
Bullfinch's telling of the stories is traditional and thorough. One of the things I most like about it was his quoting of lat...more
Bullfinch's telling of the stories is traditional and thorough. One of the things I most like about it was his quoting of lat...more
A very interesting read. A lot of the myths I read elsewhere are completely different than the ones I read elsewhere. I'm not sure which myths are the more prevalent, but the differences were very interesting.
As I like to include some mythology and mythological stories into my writings, I think this will be a very helpful tool. My copy of "D'Aulaires' Book of Greek Myths" brings in the whimsical, while "Bulfinch's" bring in a more practical view.
As I like to include some mythology and mythological stories into my writings, I think this will be a very helpful tool. My copy of "D'Aulaires' Book of Greek Myths" brings in the whimsical, while "Bulfinch's" bring in a more practical view.
1 like · like · see review
I was obsessed with mythology in elementary school (Greek over Roman, because Greece was first - the loyalties of 8 years old), and I revisited that as an adult with this book. It's due for another read. I was a docent at the Parthenon in Nashville, and I remembered so much from what I read in 3rd grade! My friend Cathy and I always "wrote myths" and drew pictures to go with the stories. Maybe I'll get that back one of these days:)
Bulfinch's Mythology is a beautiful introduction for readers of mythology. I read it AFTER like 10 years of already doing in-depth research on mythology and learned nothing from this book since i had already known most of this. However, that is no fault of the book's. This is an amazing way to be introduced. Three different sections, one for mythology, one for fables and another for legends. This is an awesome book.
Sep 10, 2012
Brandon Hubbard
is currently reading it
I am currently reading this book. I am at the begining of the book and I do not like this book because I don't like reading about myths and greek stuff. Also this book is confusing and it is just not my kind of book to read. I like books about real life situations and this is really boring to me. This book is the worst book that I had to read before.
I know that this is one of the most popular books for teaching mythology in school, but I think that's a real shame.
Thomas Bulfinch is *far* more concerned with how the Greek and Roman myths are integrated into the literature of other cultures than he is with telling the stories of those myths.
To *really* study Greek Mythology, read Edith Hamilton.
Thomas Bulfinch is *far* more concerned with how the Greek and Roman myths are integrated into the literature of other cultures than he is with telling the stories of those myths.
To *really* study Greek Mythology, read Edith Hamilton.
It has the Roman names for everything, not the Greek, which I wasn't too happy about. And I found myself enjoying the Mythology booklets that came free with the Guardian a touch more engrossing. That said, great book. You just have to know these stories. All of western culture is built on them.
Any questions you've ever had about mythology are all answered in this book in a relatively easy and readable format. Bullfinch's is the bible of mythology, lain out in short-story form. Always interesting, and easy to set aside for later as well if something more intriguing comes along.
The best reference you will ever sit down and read like a novel!! Wonderful information and so interesting!! It compiles a tremendous amount of information from a vast avriety of sources and presents them in story form, being sure to include actual passages from the original sources.
The book is a combination of three works. The Age of Fable covers Greek Mythology. Next is The Age of Chivalry, which covers King Arthur and the knights of the round table. Last is the Legends of Charlemagne. The last two sections are not bad at all. But the Age of Fable was so horrible I almost couldn't get through it. There is just no depth to it. You can't become involved in the storyline because there isn't one. There's just a few paragraphs here about some god, and the next page is about so...more
He focuses on Greece and Briton, mostly, throwing in a little Beowulf here and there. Basically just stuff we studied in school, and a little something extra for special interest folks. All in all, it wasn't informative enough to keep me hooked.
Any student of Mythology probably has this sitting on their bookshelves just like I do. Anything and (nearly) everything about Western (some Near Eastern) mythology is in here somewhere. Excellent reference.
A very useful companion. It has been nice to gather information about these mythological stories as I haven't read them as part of their original works. It is nice to be a little "primed."
A delightful and easy to read introduction to mythology for anyone. It gives a thorough basis for students and newbies and makes a very nice reading even for those who know their myths.
This book is a virtual fountain of names and places in the 'Mythological' world! A must for anyone who is interested in the Ancient world of Mythology.
My usage of this book is ongoing.
My usage of this book is ongoing.
This paperback is less of a reading book, and more of a resource for a study on mythology. It was a great collection and one I would recommend for those studying world mythology.
Nov 13, 2008
Erik Graff
rated it
2 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
no one
Recommended to Erik by:
no one
Shelves:
literature
Having heard about Bulfinch's Mythology since childhood I finally broke down and read the Modern Library edition containing all three volumes of it. Unsurprisingly, it was a bit of a disappointment, Bulfinch not being a scholar and his versions of the stories being mostly 19th century reworkings of particular texts popular in his time. For someone interested only in understanding some of the major Western myths, epics and legends well enough to catch references to them in more modern literature,...more
I remember reading this book and it launching a love of mythology. It's approachable, but probably best digested in doses. The names are tough to remember.
Very informative for the literary minded. If you want to understand more deeply the metaphors and references in "high" literature, this book is a must.
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