The Trojan War

by Bernard Evslin

Recounts the events leading up to the Trojan War and how the Greeks won the war through the subterfuge of the wooden horse.

Genres: Mythology, Classics, Historical Fiction, Childrens, Fiction, Adventure, Read For School

160 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1971

About the author

Bernard Evslin was an author best known for his adaptations of Greek mythology. With over seventy titles, which include both novel-length retellings and short stories, Evslin is one of the most widely published authors of classical mythology in the world. His best-known work is Heroes, Gods and Monsters of the Greek Myths, which has sold more than ten million copies worldwide and has been translated into ten different languages. An estimated 30 million students have come into contact with Heroes, Gods and Monsters of the Greek Myths due to its repeated use in high school and college classrooms over the years. This bestselling anthology includes such well-known stories as "Theseus and the Minotaur" and "Perseus and Medusa." He also published non-Hellenic titles such as The Green Hero, based on the Irish mythological character Finn McCool. He also was involved in an audio book called: "Children of the Corn." It included "Whistling Boy" a Native American tale; "Pancho's Puppets," a story about a boy in Mexico, and other stories.

Reviews

[Rachel DeRienzo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I devoured this! I’m definitely about to get into more Greek mythology based books!

[Vida · Rating 4 out of 5]

Though the Iliad is undisputedly THE book to read on the Trojan War, this one is definitely the better choice for young adults. I was 12 when Chris lent me his copy of this, and about 9 or 10 when I read a graphic novel of the Iliad (and about 15 when I read the actual thing). I'm afraid that other book shocked my young sensibilities at the time--Paris's lust-fueled abduction of Helen as the cause of the Trojan War seemed incomprehensible to my 9 year-old mind but Evslin's emphasis on the three goddesses' competition ("What began with an apple...") as the true cause made a lot more sense. This one uses simple narrative language but doesn't sacrifice storytelling for simplicity. No wonder this was the book where I fell in love with Achilles, whose journey (not Paris's), begins the actual story.

[Sarah Seele]

stopped reading when i realized i did not, in fact, have to finish it. i already know the story of the trojan war, and also, i don't like it.

[Lela · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dragging on unneeded parts and leaving large moments confined to a paragraph,
this book withheld my attention on something I wasn't sure would be so interesting.

I tend to partake in researching greek mythology (some roman) just for fun,
and is was one topic I was sure I'd never learn.

After taking a mythology class in school, I am glad to say we spent most of our time studying The Trojan War. I was assuming it'd only be about, ya know, war. Blood-curdling action, mixed in with some gore. I was proven wrong, entertained by the vast characters and different tales that were twisted throughout the story.

Although the story could have been written more efficiently, I heavily enjoyed this.
I give it a 4/5 stars! (:

[Carrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I first read this when I was in sixth grade. It started my obsession with Greek mythology and was a great way to learn about the Trojan War. It isn't exactly the same as the Illiad, but it is fairly accurate and a good introduction to the many characters.

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

The evslin bros r like old bards to me, their narrative voice makes me feel like im sitting at the deku tree and listening to this old wise entity recount tales of the bygone times that he lived through. I read this over and over again as a kid bc i did not access libraries, the only books i read were the ones we got from garage sales in the neighbourhood, and out of all the books we owned, this one, (+ the heros n myths book also by the evslin bros) was a certified mealtime banger every time

[Lindy High · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you’ve ever tried to read about the Trojan War and gotten lost in the huge cast of gods and humans, this is the book for you. In modern language, with the smoothness of a story hour, Evslin sorts through the major players from the theft of Helen to the Trojan Horse. It’s a remarkable take. Now I can probably tackle The Iliad.

[Ashley Fern · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great adaptation of the story of Troy without the need to tackle Homer’s The Iliad. The climax and the ending were cut a bit short, but all in all a great short read when wanting to delve into mythology without much commitment

[Cindy Phillips · Rating 1 out of 5]

Would not recommend for children. And sadly it’s written for children. Yipes guys. Tons of infidelity, sex, gore, and in general ickyness. I get it- it’s the Trojan war, but a bit of discretion goes a long way. I appreciated the Greek Myths by Nathaniel Hawthorne more.

[Leni Iversen]

Good retelling of the Illiad for older kids and teens who aren't ready to tackle Homer. The language is a bit more difficult than kids are used to nowadays (we have the 1971 edition), and I don't know if changes have been made in subsequent editions. I read it to my 10-year as the first step in my plot to correct the misapprehensions she has suffered from the Percy Jackson books. She found the story intriguing, if not exactly gripping, and all the references to sex, rape and general pillaging went mercifully over her head.

[Jeff · Rating 3 out of 5]

THE TROJAN WAR originally written by homer, in the Iliad, but has been revised to modern text by Bernard Evslin.It is a fiction story published in 1971. it has 160 pages and it took me a little under 2 weeks to read. This story take place in Greece around 500B.C.

A man named Paris, the prince of troy, was promised to be married to Helen by Aphrodite, the goddess of love, for favoring her in a contest. thing is Helen was already married to a king of greece. Paris has her kidnapped and brought back to troy. Most of Greece doesn't like this, It'll start a pretty big war. Some of the people who fight for the Greek side are Achilles, Ajax the greater, Ajax, Odysseus, and Even Poseidon, the god of the sea. Names of some of the Trojans warriors are Paris, Hector,also a prince of Troy, and Aphrodite.

This is a book of hate, love, and deception. The Greeks fought for justice in saving Helen, but the Trojans fight back just as hard for prince Paris. After nine years of fighting, both sides lose sight of what they fighting for, but just want to win.

I love the detail of the battle, and really just the way the author described it. Against that, I didn't really like all of the outgoing reasons for the war.

I n summary it was quite a good book, but i would not recommend this book to one of my friends. It did not draw me into the story.

[Antoine · Rating 3 out of 5]

My students and I used to refer to this as "Trojan War LITE." but that masks the fact this is a very compact, very readable, summation of the matter of Troy, which (in all the best ways) hews very close to the language and plotting of the original sources, especially the Iliad. This book is an excellent way to get a quick and accurate grasp of the Trojan War story, before tackling the original Greek versions.

[Steven Troncoso · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought the reading was good, gave info on what was the actual cause of the war. It also showed me a different side to the Olympians, you can say I grew up on the pg rating for Greek myth but this book unveiled the cloth covering my eyes regarding the rawness of relationships between Gods, man and wife. I enjoyed the read!

[Carrie Daws · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this with my two boys, ages 12 and 15. It is a good, condensed version for older kids who are ready for mythology (along with all the complexities of the relationships between the gods and man), but who are not great readers themselves. This gave enough of The Iliad to expose my sons to the basic storyline without dragging it out too long for my boys who hate reading.

[Aathavan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the most hilarious retelling of the Trojan war for the modern reader that I have read. Its irreverant approach goes well with the zaniness of the Greek mythology. This book has strangely been out of print and is hard to find.

[Jeanette Rupel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a nice introduction for children to The Iliad. It is well written. It is written with students in mind. It makes the epic come alive. When students finally read The Iliad, they will have some basic knowledge of the Trojan War, allowing them to enjoy The Iliad better.

[Becca]

ew

[Lucie Bonneville · Rating 2 out of 5]

BORING!!!! AHHHHHH KILL ME!!!

[Liam Thompson · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good simplification of Homer's Illiad.

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this to my boys. I'm giving it 5 stars because they loved it. It hits all the major plot points of the Iliad. I would recommend for younger readers interested in or studying Ancient Greece.

[Lucysfan1]

BORING!!!>:(

[Les Wolf · Rating 4 out of 5]

A rousing ancient adventure, filled with mythical sorcery and romance.