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The Facts on File Encyclopedia of World Mythology and Legend
Alphabetical entries for world mythology and legends.
In two volumes:
Volume 1: A to L
Volume 2: M to Z
In two volumes:
Volume 1: A to L
Volume 2: M to Z
1120 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1988
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
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June 30, 2013Mercatante, A.S. & Dow, J.R. (2009). The facts on file encyclopedia of world mythology and legend (Vol. 2, 3rd ed). New York: Facts On File Inc.
Citation By: Michelle Funk
Type of Reference: Encyclopedia
Call Number: R201 Merc
Content Scope: This encyclopedia covers a wide range of information, from well-known mythological creatures and heroes, to popular fairy tale stories.
Accuracy, Authority, and Bias: Facts on File is a popular and respected authority in the reference world, having published resources for decades.
Arrangement and Presentation: This work includes over 3,000 entries, arranged in typical encyclopedia format.
Relation to Similar Works: Previous editions of this encyclopedia were printed in 1998, 2003, and 2004.
Timeliness and Permanence: This collection of world mythology and folklore is a trusted resource for middle and high school students, and has been updated several times, solidifying its permanent presence in school libraries.
Accessibility/Diversity: The content covered is richly diverse, surveying major and minor cultures and religions from biblical times to present.
Cost: $150
Professional Review: Snodgrass, M.E. (2009, May 27). The facts on file encyclopedia of world mythology and legend. Booklist Online. Retrieved from http://www.booklistonline.com.libsrv....
Citation By: Michelle Funk
Type of Reference: Encyclopedia
Call Number: R201 Merc
Content Scope: This encyclopedia covers a wide range of information, from well-known mythological creatures and heroes, to popular fairy tale stories.
Accuracy, Authority, and Bias: Facts on File is a popular and respected authority in the reference world, having published resources for decades.
Arrangement and Presentation: This work includes over 3,000 entries, arranged in typical encyclopedia format.
Relation to Similar Works: Previous editions of this encyclopedia were printed in 1998, 2003, and 2004.
Timeliness and Permanence: This collection of world mythology and folklore is a trusted resource for middle and high school students, and has been updated several times, solidifying its permanent presence in school libraries.
Accessibility/Diversity: The content covered is richly diverse, surveying major and minor cultures and religions from biblical times to present.
Cost: $150
Professional Review: Snodgrass, M.E. (2009, May 27). The facts on file encyclopedia of world mythology and legend. Booklist Online. Retrieved from http://www.booklistonline.com.libsrv....
September 13, 2007
I only recently aquired this 2 book set, and I've only skimmed through a few selections but I cannot wait to delve more deeply into it. It covers the world's myths and legends and from the standpoint of an Historian, I love to see what's behind the historical recollections. Myths and legends themselves are history of course.
December 28, 2012
Use this set all the time!
May 21, 2016
As I continue to try and minimize my life, the main books I want to keep are my folklore books. However, this one won't be one of them.
In my opinion a better book is "Funk & Wagnalls Standard Dictionary of Folklore, Mythology, and Legend." F&W may not be quite as wide-ranging culturally, but it's more in-depth in what it covers. It's also a considerably larger book whereas this one is both shorter, and spends it's last 150 pages on a bibliography and an index. Sure it's useful, but it also means less content too.
Another thing I never liked about this book is it spends too much space on deities and saints. I suppose it's personal taste, but these entries just aren't as interesting in my opinion as entries on things/symbols and the beliefs associated with them. For example, cats, willows, mushrooms, the cross, etc. The best book I've found in this regard would have to be The Penguin Dictionary of Symbols by Jean Chevalier and Alain Gheerbrant.
That said, this might still be superior for some readers. This is going to be better for someone who wants to look up something quick without doing a lot of searching and reading. If I was doing a research paper I'd prefer this book, if I was just browsing for fun, I'd prefer the F&W. This has far more entries, whereas the F&W will spend 7 pages on "Germanic Folklore" for example. Also it's very wide-ranging culturally speaking whereas F&W can be slightly more Euro-centric, although not entirely.
This could have easily been bound into one volume instead of two. This just annoys me and I recall when I ordered a used copy the seller only had the first volume (and assumed the book was one volume) and I had to reorder.
In my opinion a better book is "Funk & Wagnalls Standard Dictionary of Folklore, Mythology, and Legend." F&W may not be quite as wide-ranging culturally, but it's more in-depth in what it covers. It's also a considerably larger book whereas this one is both shorter, and spends it's last 150 pages on a bibliography and an index. Sure it's useful, but it also means less content too.
Another thing I never liked about this book is it spends too much space on deities and saints. I suppose it's personal taste, but these entries just aren't as interesting in my opinion as entries on things/symbols and the beliefs associated with them. For example, cats, willows, mushrooms, the cross, etc. The best book I've found in this regard would have to be The Penguin Dictionary of Symbols by Jean Chevalier and Alain Gheerbrant.
That said, this might still be superior for some readers. This is going to be better for someone who wants to look up something quick without doing a lot of searching and reading. If I was doing a research paper I'd prefer this book, if I was just browsing for fun, I'd prefer the F&W. This has far more entries, whereas the F&W will spend 7 pages on "Germanic Folklore" for example. Also it's very wide-ranging culturally speaking whereas F&W can be slightly more Euro-centric, although not entirely.
This could have easily been bound into one volume instead of two. This just annoys me and I recall when I ordered a used copy the seller only had the first volume (and assumed the book was one volume) and I had to reorder.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews