Myths & Legends: The World's Most Enduring Myths and Legends Explored and Explained [Hardcover]

Neil Philip (Compiler)

Book Description

Series: Annotated Guides

Myths & Legends offers an original look into the myths and legends of cultures as diverse as ancient Greece and Aboriginal Australia. Gloriously reproduced artworks and artifacts are accompanied by clear, informative text to help readers understand and appreciate the often complex world of mythology.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Philip uses art in various formsAfrom Chinese plates to Norwegian wooden church doors to the paintings of RaphaelAto illustrate and illuminate 56 myths and legends. The Greco/Roman tradition receives the largest coverage (23 entries plus a family tree), but many other world cultures are included. Each page is colorful and informative, with details of the artwork sidebarred for further explanation and arrows with captions pointing out details relevant to the myths. General text on each page gives basic information, and an index is included. But although most artworks are identified, a small number are not, for no apparent reason. Some of the items pointed out and captioned ("wet hair," "thread") seem embarrassingly obvious, and the introduction is perhaps overly ambitious in its cultural comparisons. Nonetheless, this is a typically excellent DK offering, recommended for school libraries at all levels and for public library collections.AKatherine K. Koenig, Ellis Sch., Pittsburgh
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About the Author

One of the world's leading experts on mythology and folklore, Neil Philip, Ph.D. was educated at Oxford and London Universities. He has written or edited more than 30 books, including DK's The Illustrated Book of Myths. Special features include an A -- Z list of mythological and legendary figures.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 128 pages
• Publisher: DK ADULT (April 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0789441179
• ISBN-13: 978-0789441171
• Product Dimensions: 14.1 x 10.6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.7 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,034,363 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Delightful marriage of art and story, December 18, 1999

By 

"sewsmile" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Myths & Legends: The World's Most Enduring Myths and Legends Explored and Explained (Hardcover)

Well explained and clear. Lots of the popular stories as well as some not so familliar tales. The art work used to illustrate the myths are beautifully selected from museum works. Due to the nudity nature of many of the paintings, this is not recomended for young children or prudish types. A wonderful gift for the art student, or appriciator of art and literature. A delicious coffee table book- to be served with tea and scones!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Unique Approach, October 25, 2001

By 

Rebecca Johnson "The Rebecca Review" (Washington State) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Myths & Legends: The World's Most Enduring Myths and Legends Explored and Explained (Hardcover)

I am a fan of Neil Philip and want to own every book he has ever written. Here he takes Myths beyond just story telling and explains over 50 remarkable myths and legends from around the world, using stunning works of art. There are 45 of the world's great painting that are brought to life with explanations.

There are cave paintings, classic works of art, tribal sculptures and everything in between. You take a journey from Egypt to Japan. there is also a section on The Greek Gods. An Index is useful for locating your favorite characters.

I was especially interested in the Epic of Gilgamesh as it has so many similarities with the Flood Story. Utnapishtim survives the great flood and builds a boat that then runs aground on Mount Nisir.

Each painting is surrounded with text or images and even some quotes. My favorite piece of art is on page 64 (Odysseus and the Sirens by Herbert James Draper) and shows Odysseus and his Crew sailing back from the underworld (where ghosts, twittering like bats are held at bay). The picture shows the sirens (mermaids) trying to climb aboard the ship to lure Odysseus with their seductive voices.

The Cosmic Serpent story tells of the Fon people in Africa and how the cosmic serpent was a god with two faces. They tell of how the first people were made of clay and water, much the same way as the people would prepare building materials for a house.

One of the most beautiful books on myths I have ever seen. A MUST HAVE if you collect books on mythology and love art.

The Illustrated Book of Fairy Tales by Neil Philip is also a favorite!
Illustrated Dictionary of Mythology by Philip Wilkinson
Signs & Symbols by Miranda Bruce-Mitford

~The Rebecca Review

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great myths in all their glory, July 14, 2009

By 

Kat "Foreign film fanatic" (Miami, FL) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Myths & Legends: The World's Most Enduring Myths and Legends Explored and Explained (Hardcover)

This book is beautiful to look at and interesting to read. It contains lush illustrations of each myth with explanation of the symbolism behind certain stories in the context of their time and place. It's definitely a great book to have at home and enjoy!