Mythology: Timeless Tales of Gods and Heroes in Into the Forest

Nov 23, 2008 Danielle The Book Huntress rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: greek-mythology, reference

This is a scholarly, but very readable presentation on Greek mythology. In fact, this story really added to my love of the Greek myths. It doesn't spare the reader the darker aspects, so be warned. I would give this book to a good reader of 8 or more years of age, if they were unfamiliar with the Greek myths. Probably would leave Bulfinch for an older reader. ...more

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Feb 03, 2018 Melanti marked it as reference · review of another edition

Shelves: anthology, e-book, fairy-tales-folklore-and-mythology, nonfiction, classics

This seems to get a lot of praise, but honestly, most of this is old hat for me at this point.
Hamilton seems to summarize most of these stories rather than retell them, and honestly, I'd rather read the original sources again rather than read her summaries.

I"m moving this to "reference" rather than "read", since I skimmed huge sections of this.

I'll probably pull this back out when I next need to refresh my memory on The Iliad or The Oresteia, but for the shorter stories, I'll probably reach fo ...more

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Nov 23, 2012 Molly Ringle rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Probably ought to be titled 'Greek and Roman Mythology with a Small Chapter on Norse Mythology,' as that's what it really is, but I can see how that would be unwieldy. And I didn't mind the Greco-Roman focus, as that's what I was after. Though it's certainly an introductory text to the myths, I thought it was quite useful as a primer or refresher for anyone, since Hamilton not only tells the myths but explains at the beginning of each one which ancient author or source she is using, and why. She ...more

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Mar 31, 2015 Katie J Schwartz rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: nonfiction, classics, mythology-folklore, reference, pagan

Mythology: Timeless Tales of Men and Heroes by Edith Hamilton is perhaps one of the most famous overviews of myth that exists. It provides a very thorough account of Greco-Roman mythology, as well as a very brief introduction to Norse mythology.

What I Liked:

- All of the stories are condensed and retold in a manner that's easy to read and digest.
- Hamilton always cites which ancient writers she's taking her cues from, and often includes lines and passages from the source material.
- Holy crap, Edi ...more

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Sep 19, 2008 Krista rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: classics

Read 1996/97

Another read from high school... I remember finding this book absolutely fascinating, full of lore, magic, stories, romanticism.

If you didn't have to read it in school (or you skipped during those weeks) run out and pick it up. It's a great piece of literary work.

(reviewed 09/22/08) ...more

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