The Library of Greek Mythology (Oxford World's Classics)

The stories translated here from the ancients are clearer, more descriptive, and more enjoyable than any other translations I have come across, Oxford continues to offer the very best to anyone embarking on serious study of classic mythology without diminishing the enjoyment that study should offer.

Great writing of pseudo-Appolodorus

Finally I found a source that gives essentially ALL the characters of classical mythology! The other standard references, such as the Oxford Classical Dictionary and Edith Hamilton's Mythology, include the most important characters, but are of no use when trying to look up a reference on the multitude of minor characters who often are mentioned in literature and art. Oxford is good for learning how the significance of major characters changed over time and in various places, and Hamilton is superior for bringing together into coherent narratives those principal characters, but as a general reference for finding names one comes across in reading, Apollodorus is far superior.

A complete review of Greek Mythology, detailed, and the source for some of Edith Hamilton's Mythology, which is a good entry book with the basics. This reference can get slow, but if you want detail, it's here. For an original, closer to the actual worship of the Greeks in their prime, read Herotodus, for sharp analysis and historical references that you might not have suspected, Read Robert Graves, but for systematic detail, this is an essential mythology reference. [Don't read the sale books that suppose to cover the Greek gods, they're large print and pretty photos, weight without information.]

Excellent book cover and pages. Excellent and extremely speedy delivery! Congratulations, and thank you!! If Governor Charlie Crist becomes Governor again: Amazon! Get ready to move your headquarters and all operations in the State of Florida!! We want you here!! You are a fantastic company, (an actual dream-come-true), and all your people will enjoy the summer-like, year-round Florida weather, and the beaches!!!

Loved it, it was like reading a classical Greco-Roman version of "The enquire" or some other celebrity magazine. With the who slept with who. And the curse and How land became founded. I couldn't but it down...until I finished the book.

What you would expect. Dry at times, but riveting at others. The differences from other classics are interesting. The recounting of Homer is fascinating. Other retellings ring hollow and it makes you wish more of the classics survived.

While I did appreciate the Library as a good summary of important Greek myths, I wouldn't recommend for those who only have a passing interest. There are a lot of lists of names and begats. In fact, there's one entire section just naming off Heracles' children. And one part of one section that lists of Penelope's suitors. None of the information seems vital, either. Most of these characters either die off immediately or are never mentioned by name again. So, if you're looking for something scholarly, this is a great choice. If you just want summaries of important myths, this is good, too. If you're interested in the family lines of Greek heroes, even better. If you're just looking for some good stories or don't much care for lists, I'd give it a pass.

Good book. Nice size. Might be worth getting it at a store, mine was shipped in paper, in winter, so water damage

It was good to read right through, but I had to gloss over a couple of the longer genealogies. As far as I am aware, this is the best source for the story of Herakles, which is why I bought it, but it also contains summaries of every other Greek myth too. It is not a replacement for Homer and the Latin greats like Ovid and Virgil because they give a depth of experience that this does not, but its worth lies in its thoroughness. I am sure that I shall return to this many times for reference. Ample footnotes are at the back.

This book has about 179 pages of introduction , appendixes, explanatory notes and references etc. Genealogical tables ,map and a summary of twelve gods are very helpful if we consider the fact that this is an English translation of Greek Mythology which was originally written in ancient Greek. It might be possible to state that Greek mythology is almost compulsory for the people who want to learn or enjoy English literature in depth. We will see the names of , for example , Apollo, Venus in the everywhere as the metaphor. Each plots themselves are quite simple and interesting , however,if you don't have any knowledge of Greek mythology at all and your native language is not English , I recommend to read it with films or the books for children. As a matter of fact , the stories are dealt with 12 pages of genealogy. It's like a fantastic meal...., the more you chew, the more you can taste it. ( not easy though).

Das es ein Geschenk war kann ich sagen es wurde sehr erfreut aufgenommen.

O livro é fundamental porque parte de autor contemporâneo dos usos dessa mitologia, cerca de 300 anos da era comum, portanto, fonte importantíssima para o entendimento direto do imaginário grego.