Heroes, Gods & Emperors from Roman Mythology (The World Mythology Series) [Hardcover]

Kerry Usher (Author), John Sibbick (Author, Illustrator)

Book Description

Series: The World Mythology Series | Publication Date: May 1992

Discusses life in ancient Rome and presents the myths that civilization has bequeathed us.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 132 pages
• Publisher: Peter Bedrick Books (May 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0872269094
• ISBN-13: 978-0872269095
• Product Dimensions: 10.8 x 8.1 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,681,827 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Picture Romulus & Remus!, April 24, 2000

By 

"peachyeb" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Heroes, Gods & Emperors from Roman Mythology (The World Mythology Series) (Hardcover)

If you've ever had trouble imagining what Romulus and Remus or Hades looks like, this book is for you! Enhanced by the realistic artwork (including double-page, full color pictures and several dozen blackline drawings and maps), this 9x12 book would be valuable for the quality of the illustrations alone. The text offers a thorough but no frills march through Roman mythology as author Kerry Usher retells the cluttered tales of the gods of Rome with an uncluttered style. Using Livy's history as the source, this book is excellent at recounting the mythic history of the Roman Kingdom and early Republic. I would argue against the inclusion of "Emperors" in the title. Although Augustus is given 3 pages, only two other emperors (Caligula & Vespasian)are even mentioned. On the other hand, the skillfully done section on Aeneas includes sufficient detail to qualify as "Cliff Note" material. The final chapter, "Tales of transformation," is the rare English source for some of the lesser-known myths in Ovid's "Metamorphoses." Kerry accomplishes a Herculean task with the gods, the kings, and one emperor, and Sibbick's illustrations are among the best I've found.

1 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Picture Romulus and Remus, April 22, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Heroes, Gods & Emperors from Roman Mythology (The World Mythology Series) (Hardcover)

If you've ever had trouble imagining what Romulus and Remus orHades looks like, this book is for you! . By first appearances achildren's book, the text is enhanced by the realistic artwork (including double-page, full color pictures and several dozen blackline drawings and maps) of John Sibbick. In fact, I would rate the quality of the illustrations as the main reason to add this book to any basic library of mythology and/ or Roman history. The text of this beautifully illustrated large format (9x12") book offers a thorough but no frills march through Roman mythology. Kerry Usher retells the stories of the gods of Rome and then takes on the mythic history of the Roman Kingdom and early Republic. Her retelling of the Aeneas epic includes the main story line of Virgil's original and sufficient detail to qualify as "Cliff Note" material. This reader particularly appreciated her adherence to Livy's version of Roman history. The final chapter, "Tales of transformation," is the rare and efficient English source for some of the lesser-known myths in Ovid's Metamorphoses. Kerry gets the facts right for those who cannot enjoy the poetry of the Latin original.

0 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Picture Romulus and Remus, April 23, 2000

By 

"peachyeb" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Heroes, Gods & Emperors from Roman Mythology (The World Mythology Series) (Hardcover)

If you've ever had trouble imagining what Romulus and Remus or Hades looks like, this book is for you! . By first appearances a children's book, the text is enhanced by the realistic artwork (including double-page, full color pictures and several dozen blackline drawings and maps) of John Sibbick. In fact, I would rate the quality of the illustrations as the main reason to add this book to any basic library of mythology and/ or Roman history. The text of this beautifully illustrated large format (9x12") book offers a thorough but no frills march through Roman mythology. Kerry Usher retells the stories of the gods of Rome and then takes on the mythic history of the Roman Kingdom and early Republic. Her retelling of the Aeneas epic includes the main story line of Virgil's original and sufficient detail to qualify as "Cliff Note" material. This reader particularly appreciated her adherence to Livy's version of Roman history. The final chapter, "Tales of transformation," is the rare and efficient English source for some of the lesser-known myths in Ovid's Metamorphoses. Usher gets the facts right for those who cannot enjoy the poetry of the Latin original.