Homer''s famous stories of war, magic and adventure in the ancient world are retold for children using modern language. Follow the Greek army to the siege of Troy, where bravery and horror on the battlefield combine with Ulysses'' wit and cunning.'
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Book Description
Editorial Reviews
From School Library Journal
Grade 5-10Beginning with background that sets the stage for the Trojan War, rushing headlong into battle, and rounding out with Odysseuss journeys, this book covers much ground. The original story is replayed fairly accurately, following the events of the ancient texts. Confusingly, Greek forms of names are used, except for the Roman Ulysses used for Odysseus. Attempts to use Homeric devices are occasionally seen, but for the most part, the writing is chatty. The women are silly; the goddesses are portrayed as foolish girls playing games with humans, and the powerful Zeus is too easily swayed by them. The dialogue sounds like a theater production performed at Sweet Valley High, as Aphrodite purrs and Achilles announces that hes going to Go for it! Some episodes in the tale are downplayed, as when Iphigenia is turned into a deer rather than sacrificed, but others, such as the Cyclops incident, are properly gruesome. The watercolor illustrations match the casual tone of the writing, with full-page color and black-and-white ink-wash drawings generously interspersed. This looks vaguely like comic-book art, with muscular males and well-developed females, but the details are accurate and the characters are diverse in cultural representation. For a concise, well-written retelling of these stories, see Ian Strachans The Iliad (Kingfisher, 1997) and Neil Philips The Adventures of Odysseus (Orchard, 1997). Purchase this newer title only if there is high demand for these ancient tales, as it could be useful if Greek myths are a regular segment of the curriculum.Angela J. Reynolds, West Slope Community Library, Portland, OR
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.
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5.0 out of 5 stars
An Ideal Account of the Trojan War for Middle Schoolers,
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This review is from: Greek Myths Ulysses and the Trojan War (Greek Myths: Ulysses & the Trojan War) (Hardcover)
After several tries, my 11 year old son and I have discovered this book. It is a very engaging account, highly readable, in an attractive volume with nice illustrations. Other versions, including the Puffin Books paperback, use text written in 1925 or even earlier -- dated and stuffy.
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