Mythology: Timeless Tales of Gods and Heroes, 75th Anniversary Illustrated Edition Hardcover – Special Edition, 19 Oct. 2017

One has to go back in time to find genuine depictions of classical Europe. Indeed this book from the 40s gives a superb view of Greek Mythology (includes also Roman and Norse).One could buy it as a future museum piece because very soon books with these production standards could be rarities. The book has thick hard cover, with thick quality pages, beautiful strong colour plates and stitch binding. It is a joy to hold in your hands and read it. It is a book for a lifetime. My copy arrived in excellent condition and I surely understand those that protest for damaged book delivery. Such a beauty deserves to be unscathed.Even more impressive however is its content. The author has understood the very essence of Greek mythology. In the introduction it lays clearly the key facts about Hellenic mythology: (1) it is not fables but oral transfer of true events (2) part of it is also pure literature but it is not difficult to identify the literature from factual parts, (3) the cosmos made the gods and not the other way around, (4) Greek myths are rational without magic or fear of the world: the only two witches Circe and Medea are beautiful, attractive women and interesting characters, (5) women are as important as men in the Greek myths and the feminine nature is propelled to a major force in shaping world and society without which the world would not be viable (6) there is no mysticism but rather a fresh love of the natural, the visual and the beautiful: monsters are codenames for volcanoes, earthquakes and other geological phenomena not parts of social life, (7) the myths promote upright ethics, heroism and the idea of a meaningful life, (8) they excite reader's imagination without being fairy tales or unrealistic: realism and imagination go hand in hand.One could add many more but overall in this book one can see clearly the basis of a civilisation that was destined to become great and provide Europe with its mind and soul.A perfect gift for young and adult readership. My only complaint is that in her effort to make it light reading perhaps, the author avoided the full range of Greek names and other details in the myths, when she should have kept them and even expand on them with a bit of etymology.Yet it would be unfair not to consider it perfect for what it does, which explains that it continues to sell 80 years after its first publication: how many books can boast such an achievement?

Mythology: Timeless Tales of Gods & Heroes by Edith Hamilton was written as long ago as the 1940s and remains the classic go-to book for the stories of the myths, supreme above many of the modern retellings, with wonderful new illustrations making it even more inviting and a better read than it’s ever been. Covering both the Greek and Roman myths in detail, and the Norse myths to a lesser extent, it is not only a good read but fabulously entertaining throughout and of interest to anyone who likes a well told story by a masterful writer of the genre. Highly recommended.I hope you find my review helpful.

Stylish reproduction in honour of Edith Hamilton. Detailed passages of the various Myths, including Family history diagrams which helps enormously !

Brought after researching.Interesting read.

The first one I received had a rip down the spine of the dust cover as well as, as others have said, lots of smudge marks/finger prints all over the cover. I have just received a replacement from Amazon (I can't fault their return/replacement service as they've always been helpful if there's any problems). The second one looks much better, but still with a couple of wipeable smudges. I haven't read the book but it looks interesting and comprehensive. An easy to use contents page, lots of info on major and minor Greek mythology characters and even a very small section on Norse mythology at the back. The very few pictures inside look beautiful! Bought for a present for my son who is really into Greek Mythology at the moment and, though perhaps aimed at older people than he, I'm sure that he will love the look of and information within this book!

This book is beautiful from the cover, to the illustrations & the information.My 10 year old son is obsessed with Greek Mythology & this is by far the best book we have found on the subject.

Very nice book. High quality material. Easy to read. Good choice.

The scope is very good and it's written in easily understood language.