The World of Classical Myth: Gods and Goddesses, Heroines and Heroes [Paperback]

Carl A. P. Ruck (Author), Danny Staples (Author)

Product Details

• Paperback: 366 pages
• Publisher: Carolina Academic Pr (August 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0890895759
• ISBN-13: 978-0890895757
• Product Dimensions: 9.9 x 6.9 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #926,315 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Truly integrates entheogens in their proper place, August 9, 2002

By 

Michael Hoffman (Egodeath.com) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The World of Classical Myth: Gods and Goddesses, Heroines and Heroes (Paperback)

This is a fine survey and analysis of Greek mythology. The matter-of-fact balanced integration of the entheogen aspect of myth is noteworthy. This clear, straightforward book is a good college textbook.

3.0 out of 5 stars Extensive and wide reaching, but not specific enough, December 20, 2011

By 

Nicole Trilivas - See all my reviews

This review is from: The World of Classical Myth: Gods and Goddesses, Heroines and Heroes (Paperback)

I took a class with Prof Ruck at Boston University, and found it absolutely amazing. In fact a lot of what I learned in his class I later applied to my novel PRETTY GIRLS MAKE GRAVES (especially the story of Medusa). I use this book as a sort of encyclopedia, and it IS impressive how expansive it is, but some figures are just mentioned/glazed over. The book would really benefit by having a glossary/index of figures. That said, as a companion book for Prof Ruck's class, it's perfect as you can directly ask him to expand on anything, but as a stand-alone book, this isn't quite the end-all encyclopedia of mythology.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Classical Mythology of choice for the deeper thinker, August 25, 2010

By 

D. Atkins (Los Angeles, CA USA) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The World of Classical Myth: Gods and Goddesses, Heroines and Heroes (Paperback)

As a Classics instructor for 30 years, I can affirm that Ruck's text is the first choice for a penetrating and insightful survey of classical myth. It is one thing to catalogue the myths, as do Morford and Lenardon--but another altogether to explain their context and meaning. This is the book that does. Ruck ranks with M.L.West in insight and comprehension.