How was the world as we know it created? What does it mean to be a hero? Where do we go when we die? Why are flood myths so ubiquitous? Anyone who has pondered these and other questions about humanity's ancient beliefs will be fascinated by The Friendly Guide to Mythology. Focusing on Greek and Roman mythology but including myths from Africa, Asia, Australia, northern Europe, and the Americas, The Friendly Guide to Mythology is filled with compelling stories of gods, goddesses, mortals, and monsters. Beautifully ornamented with photos, line drawings, and quotes, this entertaining guide also includes an A-to-Z listing of the world's most captivating goddesses; profiles of famous writers, collectors, and interpreters of myths; and engaging sidebars. Featuring myths of love, wisdom, and adventure as well as those of violence, jealousy, and pure folly, this accessible collection offers fascinating insight into the human psyche and brings our rich mythological heritage delightfully into focus.
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Editorial Reviews
From Library Journal
Intended as a popular compendium of world myths, this broad survey is a limited, quickly referenced assembly of tales that includes gods, goddesses, origins, and beliefs. The anthology samples all eras and regions, attempting to refine the meaning of myth as it mutated into legend, saga, fairytale, and folklore while moving through such diverse cultures as Greek, Roman, Chinese, Native American, Yoruba, Mexican, Welsh, Inuit, and more. Unfortunately, the skillful prose and extensive coverage is compromised by a confusing format that arranges the material into five disjointed sections. The book's glossary and bibliography are, however, excellent. Recommended for comprehensive myth collections. Robert K. Burns, MSLS, Hatboro, PA
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
About the Author
Nancy Hathaway is the author of The Unicorn, Native American Portraits: 1862-1918, Giving Sorrow Words (with Candy Lightner), and The Friendly Guide to the Universe.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Touch base with the god/dess within yourself,
By Bad Playah Brown Dogg "MilliE" (San Diego, CA) - See all my reviews
This review is from: The Friendly Guide to Mythology: A Mortal's Companion to the Fantastical Realm of Gods Goddesses Monsters Heroes (Paperback)
This a really good and fun read. It's a lot easier to read than any of the books on mythology that I've ever read, which were quite a few! It makes you realize how much in this world is named after gods, goddesses, and heroes, from the Orpheum Theatre (which I found out is a contradiction!) to Troy's Greek Restaurant. Ms. Hathaway shows how different cultures from all over the world have the same stories with similar characters with similar names. It gives you goosebumps! While this is an easier book to read, it lacks all the drama that all those heavy mythology books have. Her book touches base with most of mythology so there is no deep study of any god or goddess. Ms. Hathaway covers not only the Greeks but Celtic, Chinese, and Norse mythology as well. The only thing that I have to say negative about the book were all the typos! There is a plethora of typos in this book. But if you're looking for a quick intro into mythology, this is your book.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Good for Beginners,
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This review is from: The Friendly Guide to Mythology: A Mortal's Companion to the Fantastical Realm of Gods Goddesses Monsters Heroes (Paperback)
Easy to understand. Great for people who need to learn for a class or are just casually interested in Greek mythology. However there are a lot of discrepancies between this book and more scholarly collections of Greek mythology. Small things, but to someone who knows details of stories, to see them left out or misinterpreted is irksome. Guess it just depends on whose retelling of classics you decide is the standard.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
the friendly guide to mythology,
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This review is from: The Friendly Guide to Mythology: A Mortal's Companion to the Fantastical Realm of Gods Goddesses Monsters Heroes (Paperback)
Nancy Hathaway has written THE guide to mythology.Each article gives the corresponding name in other cultures of the god/ess we are talking about. So no more going back and forth to the index to find out which is which. Along with why they appealed to their particular culture is information on how they affected people in later generations. I partiuclarly enjoy the thoughtful humor interspersed that catches you with immediate application giving the reading a 'keep on reading' value. And let's face it, we all need something to keep us on track with all those figures that seem so unreal and yet interesting. HAC
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Front Cover | Front Flap | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Back Flap | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
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How did the world begin? Read the first page Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
magic conga, brown bull Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Mount Olympus, Hannah Berman, Delphic Oracle, Virgin Mary, Asia Minor, Jane Harrison, Rig Veda, River Styx, Sibyl of Cumae, Good Twin, Main Sanctuaries, Miao Shan, Sky Woman, Snorri Sturluson, Evil Twin, Hermes Trismegistus, King Arthur, King of the Wood, Kuan Yin, Uke Mochi, Vestal Virgins, Alexander the Great, Carl Jung, Homeric Hymn, King Midas New!
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Front Cover | Front Flap | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Back Flap | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
How did the world begin? Read the first page Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
magic conga, brown bull Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Mount Olympus, Hannah Berman, Delphic Oracle, Virgin Mary, Asia Minor, Jane Harrison, Rig Veda, River Styx, Sibyl of Cumae, Good Twin, Main Sanctuaries, Miao Shan, Sky Woman, Snorri Sturluson, Evil Twin, Hermes Trismegistus, King Arthur, King of the Wood, Kuan Yin, Uke Mochi, Vestal Virgins, Alexander the Great, Carl Jung, Homeric Hymn, King Midas New!
Books on Related Topics | Concordance | Text Stats Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | Front Flap | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Back Flap | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
Citations (learn more)
This book cites 100
books:
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cites this book:
- Around the World (Fantastic Journeys) by Steve Skidmore in Back Matter (1), Back Matter (2), and Back Matter (3)
- The Age of Fable (The Works of Thomas Bulfinch) by Thomas Bulfinch in Front Matter, and Back Matter
- A Wonder Book (Airmont Classics, CL118) by Nathaniel Hawthorne on page 231, and Back Matter
- The Hero with a Thousand Faces (Bollingen Series, No. 17) by Joseph Campbell on page 279, and Back Matter
- The Paradise of Children by Nathaniel Hawthorne on page 231
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- The Feline Mystique: On the Mysterious Connection Between Women and Cats by Clea Simon on page 76, and Back Matter
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