Heroes, Gods and Monsters of the Greek Myths [Paperback]

bernard evslin (Author)

Product Details

• Paperback
• Publisher: bantam (1966)
• ISBN-10: 0553135252
• ISBN-13: 978-0553135251
• Product Dimensions: 7.5 x 5.1 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (44 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,809,540 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

90 of 92 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Swift and Thorough, November 21, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Heroes, Gods and Monsters of the Greek Myths (Mass Market Paperback)

I found this book browsing in a bookstore. At first glance it looked like a cheap knock-off under the guise of mythology. However, I was captivated by the authors introduction, in which he explains how as a child the myths were read to him in Greek, and much was lost in the English translations he later heard- so this book is his way to communicate the myths as comprehensive and story-like as possible. He succeed on all levels.

I have read many English versions ancient Greek texts, and this one has an excellent flow that is not acheived by mere translation. This book helped me to learn about the characters in the Greek myths and legends better than any other, in the sense that the stories are presented in a MEMORABLE way. Now I can read other texts with a real sense of knowing who everyone is.

The book is a quick and captivating read, could be done in one day. I thank the author for his outstanding job. He has acheived a book which compliments the myths of the Greeks, and other translations can compliment this book.

56 of 59 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Enthralling, January 22, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: Heroes, Gods and Monsters of the Greek Myths (Mass Market Paperback)

I picked up this book at the library on a whim one day, when I just happened to be poking around the non-fiction section (very uncharacteristic of me). Now, this book may be non-fiction because the writer didn't invent the stories, but it reads just as interestingly as a fiction book. I knew a bit about Greek mythology, and was vaguely interested in it, but after reading this book, I want all the Greek mythology books that I can get my hands on and am even considering studying it in college.

Don't let the low reading level discourage you--I found this in the adult section, and it's undoubtedly where it belongs! This book can aid in understanding words and references to Greek myths in everyday life, and I never knew there were so many of them! If you're interested in learning more about Greek mythology, this would definitely be a GREAT place to start.

37 of 39 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The beginning of a lifelong passion, March 4, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: Heroes, Gods and Monsters of the Greek Myths. (Library Binding)

I first met this book through a series of LP records in my local library as a child; I later read the book. It's still my favorite telling of the Greek myths, and it spawned a facination for the folklore and mythology that has been a great source of pleasure for my entire life (I'm now in my late thirties). I can't recommend this book enough, regardless of the reader's age; Evslin's telling of them gives life and personality to the characters that can't be found in any other version of the myths.