The Epic of Gilgamesh (Penguin Epics) (Paperback)

by Anonymous (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
This work talks about a great king, strong as the stars in Heaven. Enkidu, a wild and mighty hero, is created by the gods to challenge the arrogant King Gilgamesh. But instead of killing each other, the two become friends. Travelling together to the Cedar Forest, they fight and slay the evil monster Humbaba. But when Enkidu is killed, his death haunts and breaks the mighty Gilgamesh. Terrified of mortality, he resolves to find the secret of eternal life.

Product Details

• Paperback: 80 pages
• Publisher: Penguin (Non-Classics) (December 26, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0141026286
• ISBN-13: 978-0141026282
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.3 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.1 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #137,899 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

  #9 in	Books > Literature & Fiction > World Literature > Mythology > Gilgamesh
  #26 in	Books > History > Ancient > Assyria, Babylonia & Sumer
  #74 in	Books > Literature & Fiction > Poetry > Epic

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars Comments are for different edition, September 28, 2008

By	Daniel - See all my reviews

Note that the other comments here (both professional and consumer) are for the Andrew George version of "The Epic of Gilgamesh." Amazon does note this above with a disclaimer stating that the "comments are for an out of print or unavailable edition." But you might miss if you don't read carefully. The edition that I received is a translation by N.K. Sandars. There is a brief half page introductory note, but nothing else in the way of commentary, notes, or references. If you are looking for an annotated version, you must buy a different edition. However, if you are just looking for a translation of the story and are able to do your own research, then this is the edition for you. The four stars are for the work itself and its place in history.

2 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Penguin Epics (review), April 2, 2007

By	Stephen Balbach (Ashton, MD United States) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

This is a review of The Epic of Gilgamesh (Penguin Epics) published 2006. This is a prose translation by N.K. Sandars, which was first published in Penguin's 1960 edition of Gilgamesh, re-printed here sans the book-length editors introduction. Just the meat, no potatoes or desert. It took me about 2 hours to read as an average reader, was clear and easy to understand. The book is physically tiny, 4x8 inches and a quarter-inch thick, it would disappear on a book shelf.

I purchased this at the same time as The Buried Book: The Loss and Rediscovery of the Great Epic of Gilgamesh, however I wished I had waited, as 'Buried Book' has a good overview of more recent translations available. However I am not disappointed as Sandard's translation is good and easy and understandable - it may not be scholarly level, but perfectly acceptable for most readers who just want to read the epic and enjoy it.

2 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A non-historian's view of the "Epic of Gilgamesh.", June 14, 2007

By	D. McNamara "Delta Pi Mu" (Pacific Northwest) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I had heard a lot about this story and knew something of what it was about. The particular rendition in this book seemed to leave some points made by other reports of other translations in doubt.I am reading another book about this epic ("Buried book") which I hope and think will cover more than this translation. If it doesn't satisfy my interest I will look for other translations.

Overall it was an interesting book.