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Books Related to The Universe, the Gods and Mortals Jean-Pierre Vernant - ISBN: 1861973993
Interesting & Enjoyable Overview - Rated
This book acts as an interesting and thoroughly engaging introduction to Greek Mythology.
Starting out with 'How the world was created' according to Greek Legend, with God & Goddess names spread throughout, allowing for a previously versed reader to be refreshed, or for a first time reader to easily learn.
The Legends are then told in a short story-like manner, which is an utter delight to read, time and time again.
This book is 'light' in it's writing, but gives much information and a great overview of Greek Mythology.
I highly recommend this book for both young and old alike. You don't even have to have an interest in Ancient Greek Legends to enjoy this book and the stories within.
a good entry into Greek mythology - Rated
I asked for a book on Greek mythology as although I knew many of the names, I was distinctly hazy on the finer points of who they were and what they did. The book is really an edited down version of the myths and the author makes no bones about pointing out where stories have multiple versions. It is well-written with slightly whimsical comments from the author woven in from time to time. It does get to the heart of the stories without wasting its words and the tales are clearly put across. Greek mythology can be a trifle confusing at times as there are so much entangled lineage and enmities which run through it all but as a gateway into the subject, this book is a winner.
Excellent read - Rated
I first read this book back in 2003 but due to having nothing new to read I am half way through it again. It is an excellent little book and can be completed in a few nights avid reading, although due to the strange Greek names others may want to take longer to digest the Gods/Family history a little more. The book starts out setting the scene telling of how the Gods and the Humans came to be, then moves on to the more fun stories and myths.
Because of it's shortness it is only really a grounding for books of this eara but as a positive the myth's in this form can easily be adapted to be read to children. The best thing about the book is that it is told in a story style rather than a Historical Fact style like so many are which makes it a much more pleasant read.
This is the first Greek setting book I read which got me hooked, has since led me down the Historical fiction route of Pressfield and his much more realistic and gruesome novels.
If you want to quickly get upto speed on who's who in the Gods and some of the characters spoken about in other more detailed novels then this book is the perfect starting point.
