Mythology (1942)

(Only read sections 1 through 3 for school. ( )

This is the classic translation/overview of (primarily Greco-Roman) mythology. It leaves you wanting more (both in depth on individual stories, and breadth of finding more stories in the domain), which is probably the best outcome for an introduction.

A fair criticism is that it would be great to have another volume or two with additional stories from other traditions (especially Asia), but that isn’t Edith Hamilton’s area of expertise.

Given the foundational role of Greece and Rome (and to a lesser extent, Germanic/Norse) mythology in European civilization, at least this level of familiar with the mythology seems important.

(While reading this, I wondered what it would be like to live in a world where either people mostly believed these stories to some degree, or a world where they were literally true. The latter would be...interesting, but also terrifying.) ( )

This book seems to me an excellent source for Greek mythology. The author is clearly passionate about the subject, and knowledgeable enough to give the book a clear structure. The introductions to the larger stories discuss the various authors who adapted the story, and how she selected from those authors while writing her own, making sure that the reader knows more than just the basic story itself.

A small chapter about Norse mythology is tacked on to it, Mythology would be a better work without it. Other important works of mythology are equally missing, so I do believe it fails as an overview of mythology. Nonetheless, the treatment of Greco-Roman mythology forms the meat and bones of this book, and it is top-notch. Just skip the chapter about Norse mythology. ( )

If you have any interest in Mythology, this is your go-to book. It's well organized and very readable and gives you a great overview with a heavy emphasis on the Greeks. ( )

Hardback, Little Brown, -