The Genealogy of Greek Mythology: An Illustrated Family Tree of Greek Myth from the First Gods to the Founders of Rome [Hardcover]

Vanessa James (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 11, 2003

A stunning, fully illustrated and comprehensively annotated genealogical map of the universe of Greek myth, presented in a unique, easy-to-use format.

From the television hit Xena, to the Oscar-winning box-office smash Gladiator and to Broadway's Medea, the sagas of antiquity continue to attract avid audiences. Now the lore and legend of Ancient Greece have been distilled into one spectacularly illustrated resource. The Genealogy of Greek Mythology brings to life the complete cast of characters, mortal and mythic alike.

Accompanied by more than 125 captivating full-color photographs of art and artifacts, the narratives and bloodlines mapped out in The Genealogy of Greek Mythology are wonderfully user friendly. Beginning with Chaos-the period before the Earth was born-Vanessa James traces the succession of gods and titans through to the first generations of historically verifiable people of the ancient Aegean. Packed with over 3,000 entries, this incredibly detailed resource also features a star chart, regional map, and who's who guide to the Olympian gods. Each side of the book's unique accordion-paged design can be perused section-by-section or fanned out to reveal the entire genealogy in more than seventeen elegant feet.

Published just in time for the holidays, The Genealogy of Greek Mythology will be a necessity for all students and fans of the culture and literature of Ancient Greece, and a delight for anyone who enjoys an adventure.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Adult/High School-This beautiful, creative family tree has been ingeniously bound to be shelved and read as a book or unfolded into a dazzling 17-foot-long table. The book/chart begins with the earliest surviving account of the creation of the universe from Chaos and quickly covers the children of Gaia, the rise of the Titans, and the triumph of the Olympians. The origins of each of the Olympians, their symbols, and their characters are briefly described. James does not neglect the less-well-known deities. The gods of wind, rivers, and oceans are included, as well as other immortals, such as Atlas and Medea. Lists of the gods' children are followed by an index of 3000-plus individuals. When the book is turned over, it opens to a large map of the Aegean Sea, showing the places associated with mythic heroes. This begins the genealogical chart of the mortals who participated in the Trojan War, starting with their immortal ancestors and concluding with their descendants. A map of the Mediterranean Sea shows the routes of the Argonauts, Aeneas, and Odysseus. Lists of Helen's suitors, the 12 labors of Hercules, and more conclude the volume. James used a variety of Greek and Roman sources. When presented with conflicting accounts, she gave preference to Greek writers. The retellings are necessarily brief, and there are omissions. This book would supplement standard guides such as those by Edith Hamilton and Thomas Bulfinch. Traditional mythology books include modern engravings or no art at all.The appeal here is in the beauty of the more than 125 color photographs of Greek and Roman artwork, the concise biographies, and the elegant ordering of a complex topic.-Kathy Tewell, Chantilly Regional Library, VA
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About the Author

Vanessa James, Ph.D., is an associate professor of theater at Mount Holyoke College, and has served as an art director for film, television, and stage productions, as well as shows at the Brooklyn Academy of Music and New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art. Her work has garnered three Emmy nominations and an Emmy Citation, and she has received several grants from the National Endowment for the Arts.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 208 pages
• Publisher: Gotham; 1st edition (September 11, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1592400132
• ISBN-13: 978-1592400133
• Product Dimensions: 12.3 x 4.6 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #313,927 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

28 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fine book, great resource, January 9, 2004

By 

Thomas Shuford (Lenoir, NC USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Genealogy of Greek Mythology: An Illustrated Family Tree of Greek Myth from the First Gods to the Founders of Rome (Hardcover)

I second the five-star review by Katherine Krassan.

This is beautiful book. I taught Greek mythology for years and read extensively on subject and on the pre-Classical civilizations--Crete and Mycenea--that gave birth to the stories. Would that I had had this book.

"Mistakes" perceived by what I take to be a very young reviewer come from not reading author Vanessa James' Introduction--excerpted below:

"Ancient Greek and Latin authors often disagree about the ancestral histories of mythological characters. I have given preference to the Greek authors, except in cases were no Greek account exists or where common usage supports a Latin or Byzantine source. In some cases, where multiple genealogies exist for one person, my choices about their inclusion and placement in the chart could reasonably be debated...."

26 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautifully written, well researched book., January 4, 2004

By 

Katharine M. Krassan (Eastampton, NJ USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Genealogy of Greek Mythology: An Illustrated Family Tree of Greek Myth from the First Gods to the Founders of Rome (Hardcover)

The "mistakes" referred to in the first review reveal the limited knowledge of the reviewer. Greek Mythology is ripe with contradictions and variations on popularly accepted myths depending on the source text utilized by the researcher. This author identifies her sources in this meticulously researched book and is clearly recognized as a specialist in this field. When a reader determines to delve into the specifics of this topic it is important to be prepared to recognize that many of the popular conceptions may be exposed in terms of "their" inaccuracy. I highly recommend this unique and beautifully presented book on Greek genealogy - it is a marvelous work on its own and an outstanding reference tool when reading (or re-reading) Homer, The Illiad,The Odyssey and other classics.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I was in awe from my first look at this incredible book, August 11, 2007

By 

Thomas E. Davis (Seattle, WA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Genealogy of Greek Mythology: An Illustrated Family Tree of Greek Myth from the First Gods to the Founders of Rome (Hardcover)

The author spent 18 years researching her subject, consulting with many other experts on mythology, compiling and laying out this book, and creating what the cover accurately calls "The Ultimate Resource for Greek Mythology." It's a gorgeous tome, a scroll as much as a book. My oldest son has spent many fascinating hours poring over it, examining its myriad illustrations, and gaining an understanding of the depth and complexity of classical civilization that could not be acquired in any other way. A bargain at this price and a must for every home library.