Gods and Heroes of Ancient Greece: Myths and Epics of Ancient Greece (Revised) (The Pantheon Fairy Tale and Folklore Library)

Completely thorough and a must have for any beginner to Greek Mythology

I was, and still am, blown away by this book. The level of detail across the different stories are absolutely phenomenal. Schwab does a remarkable job at telling the stories in a clear and lucid manner which is easy to follow along with, all the while remaining true to the mythology of the classic characters. Schwab makes every step in the story telling interesting and you'll hardly find yourself becoming lost in the narrative. You actually feel as though your right there with the characters witnessing what their going through on their journey(s). From the novice to the veteran reader of ancient Greece, G&H has something for everyone. With well over 700 pages the book also acts as a partial encyclopedia for the gods and heroes of ancient Greece. Virtually every figure in ancient Greece is listed in the back of the book with a brief description of what their mainly known for along with the pages of the book in which they appear.After reading G&H for only a short amount of time you'll realized how complex many of the classic heroes are. While many of these figures are renowned by their great acts of bravery, heroes such as Heracles are also known for their self-less acts and compassion for their fellow man. G&H is for anyone who is interested in reading an intriguing account of the famous/infamous people and deities of ancient Greece.

Item sent to my Nephew in China for his English Literature course.

I found this book to be such good reading, I read it again a few years later. Which is a lot of reading. If I recall correctly, the volume was so inclusive the author's son completed the work after the author died. There are so many well delivered stories in this book, I am truly grateful for their work.

This translation of Gustav Schwab's epic anthology is without a doubt one of the best, if not THE best, books on Greek mythology. Not only does the author explain the myths, he brings them back to life and breathes fresh life back into these ancient fables. Moreover, his sources are vast and frequently conflicting in their input due to the equivocal and interpretive nature inherent in the mythology of Ancient Greece; yet, instead of simply collecting these contradicting tales into a single volume, he chose the riskier--yet more extraordinary--path of weaving his own version of these timeless tales. Utilizing his extensive knowledge of Greek mythology and culture, he brings together the countless interpretations and versions of every myth and reconciles them under a single perception. In doing so, he forged an undying legacy for himself as one of the last mythographers to have ever lived.While it is admittedly true that some of the lesser-known or miscellaneous myths scattered throughout the Greek culture have been either neglected or omitted; however, I believe this was necessary to maintain the fluidity of his work as one myth transitions into another. This book is not simply a collection of myths; it's a chronology of Ancient Greece's more fictitious historical identity. Through this novel approach, Schwab combines historical accuracy with mythical legend and applies a writer's techniques with the heart of a poet. Needless to say, I believe that this novel is an essential and necessary piece of literary art for anyone interested in Ancient Greek history and/or mythology to own.My only complaint is that by providing his singular interpretation, albeit one conceived from the various mythologies of ancient mythic authors, he is suppressing the fact that Greek mythology was in fact a religion based on local interpretation as compared to the universal doctrines so commonly found in later organized religions. There are hundreds, if not thousands or tens of thousands, of unique versions of each and every myth, depending on which location and time period one chooses to study. The fact of the matter is that there are no and never had been any dogmatism or strict doctrines within the Ancient Greek pagan beliefs. Until Gustav Schwab's epic interpretation (as found in this novel), the majority consensus among ancient Greeks regarding their theistic beliefs was ambiguous and relied primarily on the recognition of the most fundamental qualities of their faith. Outside of that, Ancient Greek paganism was a hazy conglomeration of local cults and deities assumed under a single system of belief.I might also add that the telling of Homer's "Iliad" and "Odyssey" within this book are very basic and only fleetingly follows the original translation. In this, too, Schwab wove his own version of events in an artistic and relatively concise manner. That said, if you're seeking accurate, meticulously rendered translations of the original texts, you'll be sorely disappointed in this book. For these two reasons and these two alone, I believe this only deserves a four-star rating. Outside of that, this is an amazing and phenomenal book in every single way and if you have the opportunity to buy and/or read it, don't hesitate to jump on the chance while you still can.

See above review about previous book