The New York Times recently ran a glowing front page story on this work, with almost a page more inside. Having received my copy, it is easy to see why. The book is beautifully produced. A sturdy orange and black hardcover protects 263 pages, each 16 inches long by 10 and a half inches high. This is a big book. The work was begun in 1964 by Harold Newman, an well-known and highly regarded attorney in Connecticut who died in 1993 at the age of 93. His son, Jon O. Newman, then took the book up and finished in it 2002. Jon Newman is one of the greatest jurists of our times, serving on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. His reputation for brilliance and attention to detail are legendary, and are well-reflected in this work. Given that Judge Newman's father hand-lettered the copious charts on large cardboard sheets, the statement in the Preface that "appropriately for a work of genealogy, this has been a father-son project" hits the mark.
But why would a busy, towering figure in law complete a genealogical chart on Greek mythological figures? One answer is that it was a great mitzvah for a son to complete a work his father spent almost 30 years on. A second answer is tradition; in circles of Jewish learning (a circle which certainly includes Judge Newman), there is a Hebrew saying "Lomdei Toratecha Lishmah," loosely translated as "the study of Torah for Torah's sake." One learns because it is one's obligation to. The subject of study may vary, but the obligation is always there. "A Genealogical Chart of Greek Mythology" is an exemplary work of Lomdei Toratecha Lishmah. Only a love of learning could lead to a work so thorough and beautifully presented. But there is a third reason, and one that should commend others to purchase the book. It is a really useful book, for serious and amateur students of Greek mythology, and for crossword puzzle fanatics, such as my wife. One need never miss a question about Greek mythology again.
In an age when books have become a corporate commodity, "A Genealogical Chart of Greek Mythology" reminds of what it was once like, when great scholars labored for love and we the public could soak in that both the love and the learning they poured into their books. It was a mitzvah for Judge Newman to complete the work and it is a mitzvah for the rest of us to buy it support future projects (and five stars for the University of North Carolina Press for undertaking and publishing it): besides, you'll have a great time with it.
William Patry
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A Genealogical Chart of Greek Mythology Hardcover – June 30, 2003
by
Harold Newman
(Author),
Jon O. Newman
(Author)
|
Harold Newman
(Author)
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Print length272 pages
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LanguageEnglish
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PublisherUniversity of North Carolina Press
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Publication dateJune 30, 2003
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Dimensions15.44 x 0.84 x 11.12 inches
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ISBN-100807827908
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ISBN-13978-0807827901
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Editorial Reviews
Review
"A major contribution to our understanding of how ancient Greeks organized the vast corpus of figures constituting what we call Greek mythology.
(Timothy Gantz, from the Foreword)"
"A major contribution to our understanding of how ancient Greeks organized the vast corpus of figures constituting what we call Greek mythology."
(Timothy Gantz, from the Foreword)"
"A major contribution to our understanding of how ancient Greeks organized the vast corpus of figures constituting what we call Greek mythology."
Review
A Genealogical Chart of Greek Mythology provides something absolutely new in the world of scholarship and reference: a meticulously researched resource which places 3,673 named mythological figures from the surviving classical Greek literary corpus in a coherent genealogical context. . . . The scope of the work is breathtaking, and its organization brilliantly realized. . . . Anyone who has undertaken research in classical or humanist literature or Renaissance painting knows how difficult, often impossible, it is to sort out the family and extra-marital relationships among mythological characters. This long-overdue, very authoritative reference book should find a place in every research and academic library.--Elizabeth L. Diefendorf, Frederick Phineas and Sandra Priest Rose Chief Librarian, General Research Division, New York Public Library
About the Author
The late Harold Newman was a lawyer and author of four dictionaries in the field of decorative arts.
Jon O. Newman is a federal appellate judge on the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit in New York City. He lives in Connecticut.
Jon O. Newman is a federal appellate judge on the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit in New York City. He lives in Connecticut.
Product details
- Publisher : University of North Carolina Press; New edition (June 30, 2003)
- Language : English
- Hardcover : 272 pages
- ISBN-10 : 0807827908
- ISBN-13 : 978-0807827901
- Item Weight : 3.88 pounds
- Dimensions : 15.44 x 0.84 x 11.12 inches
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Best Sellers Rank:
#1,985,209 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #3,060 in Genealogy (Books)
- #4,347 in Archaeology (Books)
- #6,011 in Folklore & Mythology Studies
- Customer Reviews:
Customer reviews
4.7 out of 5 stars
4.7 out of 5
13 global ratings
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Reviewed in the United States on July 27, 2003
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72 people found this helpful
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Reviewed in the United States on May 31, 2016
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I love this book! If you are into Greek/Roman mythology this is great reference for you! I would not suggest getting this for a kid studying the Gods in school but for someone who love the mythology and is an avid reader or writer.
Reviewed in the United States on August 4, 2016
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Item as described. Delivery as promised.
Reviewed in the United States on November 19, 2009
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If you like Greek Mithology this book is very beautiful with great charts!
Tiziano
Tiziano
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Reviewed in the United States on May 2, 2009
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Be aware that this book contains only genealogical charts; there are no myths discussed in it. The charts are extensive, if not exhaustive, though.
Top reviews from other countries
Rajesh Mehta
5.0 out of 5 stars
Breakthrough in Greek Mythology.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 23, 2018Verified Purchase
A breakthrough in Greek Mythology where the reader is lost and immersed in the family tree of Greek Gods and Goddesses as well as alpha mortals, the physical size of the book even feels like you are about to be drawn into something fantastic and opening the pages is a pleasure. I finally obtained this book from the US through Amazon and it is now part of my tier one collection, the amount of research the author must have gone through is a lifetime's worth and I'm feel honoured to have this amazing book which I delve at coffee times and away from the realities of life.
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