The Complete Idiot's Guide to Classical Mythology, 2nd Edition [Paperback]

Kevin Osborn (Author), Dana L. Burgess Ph.D. (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 2, 2004 | ISBN-10: 1592572898 | ISBN-13: 978-1592572892 | Edition: 2

An exploration of timeless legends.

 

First told centuries ago, the ancient myths of the Greeks and Romans continue to fascinate and influence the world today. The expanded edition of this popular guide examines why these legends remain an integral part of human history, citing their literary value, and their presence throughout popular culture in such works as J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter novels, and the Coen brothers’ film O Brother, Where Art Thou?.

 

•Features a 50-page “who’s who” glossary of classical mythological characters—from both the Greek and Roman versions

•An updated look at recent movies and television series’ based on mythology, including Helen of Troy, HBO’s animated Odyssey, and the Disney Channel’s Hercules

 

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

There are scads of reasons why The Complete Idiot's Guide to Classical Mythology is a great reference text and a worthwhile addition to your home, but its primary appeal lies in its accessible tone. The legends of mythology are fascinating and fun--they wouldn't have lasted this long if they weren't high in entertainment value--but that sometimes gets lost in the drive to be "educated" and the fear of appearing ignorant. When folks allude to Phaedra, does your brain draw a blank? When conversation turns to the works of Pindar, do you wax noncommittal while waiting for a clue? That kind of trepidation puts a real pall on enjoying the humanity, magic, and humor of classic myths; taking you past that is what the Idiot's Guide series does best. They explore the roots of mythology, introduce the Greek and Roman gods and heroes, and tell a lot of great stories. A nonthreatening introduction for students, it renews a love of a tale well told, revitalizes an interest in reading stories aloud, and dusts off some lively yarns. And if reading up on Theseus and Heracles makes you better educated and more conversationally versatile, that's just icing on the cake. --Stephanie Gold --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From the Back Cover

You're no idiot, of course. You can find Greece on a map, know that Kevin Sorbo stars as Hercules on TV, and have heard of Freud's Oedipus theory. But when it comes to classical mythology, you feel like you've been foiled by the gods. Don't curse Zeus yet! The Complete Idiot's Guide to Classical Mythology has all you need for a working knowledge of the timeless world of Greek and Roman myths. In this complete Idiot's Guide, you get: --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 18 and up
  
• Paperback: 416 pages
• Publisher: Alpha; 2 edition (November 2, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1592572898
• ISBN-13: 978-1592572892
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 7.3 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #156,694 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #71 in Books > Education & Reference > Encyclopedias > Mythology & Folklore

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

49 of 50 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Skeptic No More, June 19, 2000

By 

Catherine Colegrove (Fort Wayne, IN) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Complete Idiot's Guide to Classical Mythology (Mass Market Paperback)

I was a bit skeptical about purchasing my first "Complete Idiot's Guide," but this work won me over completely. It covers all the major aspects of Greek myth in a well-organized, easily understandable fashion. Authors Osborn and Burgess were not content with merely giving the "greatest hits" of myth, they include a wealth of detail and helpful historical/cultural notes. The "Least You Need to Know" sections at the end of each chapter are particularly nice. As a teacher of Classics I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who need an intro to Greek myth or anyone (like myself) who needs a handy reference.

32 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Never Thought Mythology Was Entertaining? Think Again!, January 19, 2000

By 

Laurel Webber-Gray (Pasco, Washington) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Complete Idiot's Guide to Classical Mythology (Mass Market Paperback)

For anyone who feels that mythology is just too complicated and boring, this is the perfect book to change your mind. A multitude of mythological topics are covered susinctly and with a great deal of humor. Information is neatly categorized and easy to follow. This would be a great book for students newly exposed to mythology or teachers needing a refresher course! And the real clincher for me? It was co-written by Dana Burgess, who was one of my favorite professors at Whitman College and instilled in me a passion for classics nearly equalling his own.

26 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent resource for classical mythology fans., May 23, 2004

By 

Marcy Gomez (Kansas City, USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Complete Idiot's Guide to Classical Mythology (Mass Market Paperback)

Like most books in the "Idiot's Guide" series, this guide to classical mythology is an excellent and comprehensive resource book for fans of Greek and Roman mythology.

There are several mythology reference books available in the market today but more serious and 'seasoned' fans and scholars will likely prefer THE COMPLETE IDIOT'S GUIDE TO CLASSICAL MYTHOLOGY by Kevin Osborn. We're not idiots, of course, but this book is meaty, entertaining and has more background information on the various gods/goddesses, heroes and stories. At over 350 pages, it has loads of information on various topics and stories in mythology. For instance, an entire chapter is dedicated to the Trojan War and Achilles and Odysseus also have their own chapters. With other mythology books, you would be lucky to have a few pages dedicated to Achilles alone.

Fans who want more than classical mythology will want to explore MYTHOLOGY FOR DUMMIES by Christopher Blackwell. This book also delves into the Arthurian legend, Norse myths, Beowulf, as well as world mythology in general (Chinese, Jewish, Hindu, etc).

These 2 books are all excellent. The choice lies on the readers' level of interests. I would recommend the "Complete Idiot's Guide" to those who enjoy Roman and Greek mythology or those who want to learn more about the Trojan War, Perseus, Jason and the Argonauts, Zeus, Hercules and the many other fascinating gods/goddesses and heroes of classical mythology.