"For any child fortunate enough to have this generous book...the kings and heroes of ancient legend will remain forever matter-of-fact; the pictures interpret the text literally and are full of detail and witty observation."—Horn Book.
"The drawings...are excellent and excitingly evocative."—The New York Times.
CONTENTS
In Olden Times 9
Gaea, Mother Earth 10
The Titans 12
ZEUS and his Family 16
Hera 24
Hephaestus 28
Aphrodite 30
Ares 32
Athena 34
Poseidon 38
Apollo 42
Artemis 44
Hermes 50
Hades 56
Persephone and Demeter 58
Dionysus 64
MINOR GODS, Nymphs, Satyrs, and Centaurs 70
Prometheus 72
Pandora 74
Deucalion 76
Eos 80
Helios and Phaëthon 82
Selene 86
Pan 90
Echo 92
Syrinx 94
The Wild and Vulgar Centaurs 96
Asclepius 98
The Nine Muses 100
Orpheus 102
MORTAL DESCENDANTS OF ZEUS 106
Europa and Cadmus 108
Tantalus and Pelops 112
Danaüs, Perseus, and the Gorgon 114
Clever and Vainglorious Kings 123
King Midas 124
Sisyphus 126
Bellerophon 128
Melampus 130
Heracles 132
Theseus 148
Oedipus 158
The Golden Fleece 162
The Calydonian Boar Hunt 176
The Apples of Love and the Apple of Discord 178
Everything Must Come to an End 189
INDEX 190
ZEUS and his Family 16
Hera 24
Hephaestus 28
Aphrodite 30
Ares 32
Athena 34
Poseidon 38
Apollo 42
Artemis 44
Hermes 50
Hades 56
Persephone and Demeter 58
Dionysus 64
MINOR GOS, Nymphs, Satyrs, and Centaurs 70
Prometheus 72
Pandora 74
Deucalion 76
Eos 80
Helios and Phaëthon 82
Selene 86
Pan 90
Echo 92
Syrinx 94
The Wild and Vulgar Centaurs 96
Asclepius 98
The Nine Muses 100
Orpheus 102
MORTAL DESCENDANTS OF ZEUS 106
Europa and Cadmus 108
Tantalus and Pelops 112
Danaüs, Perseus, and the Gorgon 114
Clever and Vainglorious Kings 123
King Midas 124
Sisyphus 126
Bellerophon 128
Melampus 130
Heracles 132
Theseus 148
Oedipus 158
The Golden Fleece 162
The Calydonian Boar Hunt 176
The Apples of Love and the Apple of Discord 178
Everything Must Come to an End 189
INDEX 190
Anonymous
Posted June 12, 2004
My parents bought me this book back in the 60's, when I was 7, and it was one of my favorites for years. Now my own 7-year-old pores over my old copy for hours at a time, and I plan to replace it after he wears it out. Sharing this book with my son brings back many happy memories of similar storytimes with my own parents; re-reading it 40 years later, it's still fresh. After reading Ovid and other Greek poets in college later on, I realized that the d'Aulaires' version of the Greek myths (while cleaned up for kids where necessary) is surprisingly complete; it retains all the wondrous, compelling and tragic/comic elements of the original myths and presents them in a fresh re-telling. The illustrations are glorious. For anyone interested in Greek mythology, the classical world, ancient history, literature or art, this is a must-have. A good read; great for adults as well as kids.
6 out of 6 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted October 26, 2009
My mother gave me this book some 35 years ago and it was one of my very favorite books of all time. I just bought it for my Godson and he is just as amazed and taken with the stories and pictures as I was. By the time I went to college and had to take Mythology, I already knew more than half of the stories! Needless to say, it was an easy A.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted March 21, 2009
I Can't believe it I just got my daughter's summer reading and when I searched the title and saw the picture I was shocked.
I still have this book from 30 years ago when I was in middle school. It is one of very few books I have held onto as treasures. It was so wonderful that it has moved with me several times and stayed with me. I am so pleased to be able to give it to my daughter because I know what it taught me.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted November 17, 2006
I first got this book in fourth grade and read it from cover to cover--it wittily and captivatingly retells some of the greatest tales of humankind and brings them to life with beautiful illustrations! As a high school senior in AP Literature, I just rediscovered this book yesterday and I am just as impressed with it as I was eight years ago. Don't be held back by how it is marketed as a children's book D'Aulaire's Book of Greek Myths is written in such a way that anyone can enjoy and appreciate it!
2 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted March 4, 2006
I originally found this book in the garbage,when i was in the 4th grade and tried to patch it up, I to this day do not understand why it was thrown out. I love it and have bought a new copy since!! I have gotten into debates about mythology and have won because of this book. It is full of a great story that anyone of any age would LOVE!!!
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted October 16, 2002
I first read this in second grade and it's remained one of my favorite books to date. The pictures are great, and the stories include some of the lesser known myths. It is to this book that I owe much of my knowledge of Greek mythology. I have not yet found a collection that equals it. I highly recommend it to anyone, of any age.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.KitFL
Posted June 29, 2010
I discovered this book on the library shelf in the 1970s...an avid reader even as a child, I devoured these stories over and over. The illustrations are awesome and I'm happy to see they've kept the original artwork in the reprint. My 10-yr old niece recently "discovered" Greek mythology...I was around the same age!...and I've ordered this book for her. I just can't bring myself to part with my own copy! Would recommend to anyone who is interested in Greek mythology.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.CCHCrow
Posted May 13, 2010
I think this is the fourth time I have bought a copy of this book, because each copy eventually disappears from my classroom library. It's so good that children steal it! It's also so good that my library just doesn't feel complete without it. The pictures and text are engaging, and the stories are classics that any well-educated person should know as part of his or her cultural literacy. Very highly recommended.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.fin_bheara
Posted June 30, 2009
What a wonderful book...I still have this book that my Grandfather gave to me back when I was in grade school. I am glad to see it is still in print. This is a great book for children and adults alike, with beautiful illustrations and interesting descriptions of the major and minor Greek gods and goddesses. I highly recommend it!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted July 10, 2008
Incredably intreseting way of telling the history of an old scociety's belifes. Holds the reader's attention throughout the entire book. This book has inspired me to further researech the ancient beliefs of the Greek people.
1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted January 26, 2007
I remember this book being read to us in the 3rd Grade. Even though we only read the first few stories, I borrowed the book and read the rest. It began my lifelong love of the heroic (and tragic) tales of Greek myths. It surprised me how much the stories helped in my college years when reading some of the original texts. The stories aren't really dumbed-down and the illustrations stimulate the imagination without taking away from the written words. Now, years later I still have this book even though most of my others have long since gone away.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted September 20, 2006
This is most definitely one of the best books I read as a child. I got it in forth grade and now, as a senior in high school, I still remember most of what I read. That's amazing - condidering I can't really remember what I had for lunch yesterday. I can confidently say that anyone who reads this book will enjoy it.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted August 29, 2000
D'aulaires' expressionistic illustrations bring these ancient tales to life in a way that has never been equaled. I think even Plato would have marveled at how well these images capture the spirit of these myths. The writing is excellent as well--superbly accurate to historical sources yet lively and humorous. I grew up with this book. If I had to choose one book that has effected my life more than any other, this would be it.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted September 4, 2011
This book is a good read, no matter what age. The illustrations are really amazing and i love this book. It's a really good buy.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted May 20, 2010
I Also Recommend:
The illustrations were neat and I learned a lot!
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.eg546
Posted April 30, 2010
I Also Recommend:
I discovered this book in 6th grade and had had little to no contact with Greek mythology. After reading it I found myself to have a much greater knowledge of and interest in the subject matter. The illustrations, wonderful in their simplicity and unelaborate design, and the stories themselves, appealing to both young and old, are not to be missed. For anyone desiring to begin the study of mythology or merely wanting ro read something enjoyable, this book is for you. I still love it after all these years, and I still find it as mesmerizing and enthralling as when I picked it up all those years ago.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.marshamallow
Posted August 29, 2009
When I was a child, this was my favorite book to check out of the library. I read it over and over, thrilling in the tales of the gods and goddesses and heroes of ancient Greece and also in the marvelous illustrations that complemented the stories so well.
Decades later I was delighted to see it at the bookstore and knew I had to purchase a copy for myself--to read and reread again, and also to capture a bit of nostalgia from my childhood. D'AULAIRES' BOOK OF GREEK MYTHS was one of those magical selections which helped to inspire a lifelong love of books for me, and which is a fascinating read whether you are 8 or 80. The writing style and story length will hold the attention of younger readers; while at the same time the book provides the combination of succinct prose and those beautiful illustrations to capture the interest of older folks.
D'AULAIRES' BOOK OF GREEK MYTHS is now my favorite gift idea for the children and grandchildren of my friends and relatives. A gem of a book!
ElizabethBF
Posted August 23, 2009
This colorful book is fascinating and educational about Greek Gods and mythology.
The connection toward end of book of Greek Gods with the Roman Gods was helpful and satisfying.
dasNJ
Posted August 23, 2009
My 8 1/2 year old son enjoys reading a couple of chapters at a time with me. The illustrations are top of the line and the myths are intriguing. He would recommend this book to other children and their parents!
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.DaniDL
Posted August 22, 2009
I remember reading this book when I did a unit on Greek Mythology as a child. When I saw the book on sale I couldn't help but pick it up. It's really interesting to read about the relationships between all of the gods and I know I'll share this with my children in the future.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.
Overview
"For any child fortunate enough to have this generous book...the kings and heroes of ancient legend will remain forever matter-of-fact; the pictures interpret the text literally and are full of detail and witty observation."—Horn Book.
"The drawings...are excellent and excitingly evocative."—The New York Times.