"Battle mysterious monsters, join a quest with a courageous hero, and feast and frolic with the gods [in this introduction to mythology around the world]"--Page 4 of cover.
The latest installment in the New York Times bestselling Don't Know Much About® series -- a magical journey into the timeless world of mythology It has been fifteen years since Kenneth C. Davis first dazzled audiences with his instant classic Don't Know Much About® History, vividly bringing the past to life and proving that Americans don't hate history, they just hate the dull, textbook version they were fed in school. With humor, wit, and a knack for storytelling, Davis has been bringing readers of all ages up to speed on history, geography, and science ever since. Now, in the classic traditions of Edith Hamilton and Joseph Campbell, he turns his talents to the world of myth. Where do we come from? Why do stars shine and the seasons change? What is evil? Since the beginning of time, people have answered such questions by crafting imaginative stories that have served as religion, science, philosophy, and popular literature. In his irreverent and popular question-and-answer style, Davis introduces and explains the great myths of the world, as well as the works of literature that have made them famous. In a single volume, he tackles Mesopotamia's Gilgamesh, the first hero in world mythology; Achilles and the Trojan War; Stonehenge and the Druids; Thor, the Nordic god of thunder; Chinese oracle bones; the use of peyote in ancient Native American rites; and the dramatic life and times of the man who would be Buddha. Ever familiar and instructive, Davis shows why the ancient tales of gods and heroes -- from Mount Olympus to Machu Picchu, from ancient Rome to the icy land of the Norse -- continue to speak to us today, in our movies, art, language, and music. For mythology novices and buffs alike, and for anyone who loves a good story, Don't Know Much About® Mythology is a lively and insightful look into the greatest stories ever told.
Full of action, romance, betrayal, passion, violence, and tragedy, the timeless ancient Greek and Roman myths make great reading. With a cast of unique characters and unbelievable story lines, classical mythology explains phenomena such as creation, weather, nature, and the universe with unparalleled drama. The Everything Classical Mythology Book is an entertaining and educational guide that explains all the great myths and explores how they have influenced language, art, music, psychology, and even today's popular culture. The book tells the fascinating stories of the gods' rise to power on Mount Olympus and of their frequent clashes with larger-than-life heroes. Rounded out with a helpful glossary, an index of characters, and many reading resources, this action-packed new addition to the Everything series brings classical mythology to life!
A full, authoritative, and wholly engaging account of these endlessly fascinating tales and of the ancient society in which they were created. Greek myths are among the most complex and influential stories ever told. From the first millennium BC until today, the myths have been repeated in an inexhaustible series of variations and reinterpretations. They can be found in the latest movies and television shows and in software for interactive computer games. This book combines a retelling of Greek myths with a comprehensive account of the world in which they developed—their themes, their relevance to Greek religion and society, and their relationship to the landscape. "Contexts, Sources, Meanings" describes the main literary and artistic sources for Greek myths, and their contexts, such as ritual and theater. "Myths of Origin" includes stories about the beginning of the cosmos, the origins of the gods, the first humans, and the founding of communities. "The Olympians: Power, Honor, Sexuality" examines the activities of all the main divinities. "Heroic exploits" concentrates on the adventures of Perseus, Jason, Herakles, and other heroes. "Family sagas" explores the dramas and catastrophes that befall heroes and heroines. "A Landscape of Myths" sets the stories within the context of the mountains, caves, seas, and rivers of Greece, Crete, Troy, and the Underworld. "Greek Myths after the Greeks" describes the rich tradition of retelling, from the Romans, through the Renaissance, to the twenty-first century. Complemented by lavish illustrations, genealogical tables, box features, and specially commissioned drawings, this will be an essential book for anyone interested in these classic tales and in the world of the ancient Greeks.
Classic stories from Greek mythology come to life in this latest book in the Weird But True spin-off series, Know-It-All. Fans of Rick Riordan will find this is the ideal companion book to dive a little deeper into the incredible stories from Greek mythology. Full color.
School Library Journal Best Books of 2011 Eureka! Silver Honor Books—California Reading Association Capitol Choices 2012 list of Noteworthy Titles for Children and Teens 2012 Notable Children's Books—ALSC The new National Geographic Treasury of Greek Mythology offers timeless stories of Greek myths in a beautiful new volume. Brought to life with lyrical text by award-winning author Donna Jo Napoli and stunning artwork by award-winning illustrator Christina Balit, the tales of gods and goddesses such as Zeus, Aphrodite, Apollo, and Athena and heroes and monsters such as Helen of Troy, Perseus, and Medusa will fascinate and engage children’s imaginations. National Geographic completes the book with embellishments of each story: sidebars for each god, goddess, hero, and monster link the myths to constellations, geography, history, and culture to help young readers connect the stories to real life events, people, and places. A family tree and a “cast of characters” profile page help make relationships between the characters clear, and a mapping feature adds to the fun and fascination. Resource notes and ample back matter directing readers to more information round out this luminous book. Sure to dazzle all those intrigued with the fantastic tales of Greek mythology and enchant new readers, this vibrant book will soon become a family keepsake. National Geographic supports K-12 educators with ELA Common Core Resources. Visit www.natgeoed.org/commoncore for more information.
The Mythology Bible provides detailed information on a wide range of myths and legends throughout history and across the globe. Ancient myths of Egypt, Rome, Greece, Scandinavia and the Celtic world are explored alongside the legends of Native Americans, Australian Aborigines, Aztecs and Incas, Africa and Asia. From Aphrodite to King Arthur and the Epic of Gilgamesh to Mayan death gods, here you will find a guide to the specific traditions as well as an exploration of common themes in myths worldwide including creation, love, quests and the underworld. Beautifully illustrated throughout, this is a comprehensive yet compact reference book to a fascinating subject.
Learn about compelling worlds and characters depicted in myths and legends in The Mythology Book. Part of the fascinating Big Ideas series, this book tackles tricky topics and themes in a simple and easy to follow format. Learn about Mythology in this overview guide to the subject, brilliant for novices looking to find out more and experts wishing to refresh their knowledge alike! The Mythology Book brings a fresh and vibrant take on the topic through eye-catching graphics and diagrams to immerse yourself in. This captivating book will broaden your understanding of Mythology, with: - More than 80 classics retold and explained in mythology - Packed with facts, charts, timelines and graphs to help explain core concepts - A visual approach to big subjects with striking illustrations and graphics throughout - Easy to follow text makes topics accessible for people at any level of understanding The Mythology Book allows you delve into each myth, discover the meanings behind them, and understand their significance to different cultures worldwide - aimed at adults with an interest in the subject and wanting to gain more of an overview. Here you'll find global coverage of world myths, profiling everything from the well-known tales of the Greeks, Norsemen, and Egyptians to the legends of the Caribbean, the Americas, Oceania, and East Asia. Your Mythological Questions, Simply Explained Learn about myths in this essential guide, from early creation beliefs to classical hero narratives and the recurring theme of the afterlife. Delve into each myth and discover the meanings behind these stories, getting to the heart of their significance to different cultures worldwide. If you thought it was difficult to learn about the many classic stories, The Mythology Book presents key information in a clear layout. Discover Zeus, god of the sky and ruler of the Olympian gods, Loki, the cunning trickster with a knack for causing havoc, Thor with his mighty hammer, and Hades, ruler of the underworld - and much more. The Big Ideas Series With millions of copies sold worldwide, The Mythology Book is part of the award-winning Big Ideas series from DK. The series uses striking graphics along with engaging writing, making big topics easy to understand.
Chaos was the origin of everything, the beginning of time. From Chaos sprang forth three primordial deities, Gaea, Tartarus & Eros... Ancient Greece & its Mythology is Truly a Marvel of History Greek Myths were more than just stories...,Take a deeper look and you will uncover the lessons, philosophies, wisdom and even warnings that these myths taught. In truth they are still relevant to this day. Discover Everything you need to know about Ancient Greece & Greek Mythology in This Book Throughout your read, we will not simply rehash the ancient Greek myths of the time, but rather uncover the context and background behind them and the Ancient Greek world. We want to make sure that you cannot only enjoy these fascinating myths but understand what they were like when they were told thousands of years ago. All the secrets of one of the most fascinating civilizations the world has ever known lie within these pages. Inside you will discover The Ancient Origins & Story of The Olympics Lessons From The 12 Labors of Hercules How The Gods Played a Significant Role in All Aspects of Ancient Greek Society The Flight of Daedalus & Icarus - Discover One of The Most Famous Greek Myths Tales of The Most Legendary Monsters - Medusa, The Hydra, Typhon, Cerberus & More! Aphrodite - The Greek Goddess of Love, Sex, Beauty, and Fertility. How Achilles' Weak Heels Become Iconic until Now The Trojan War, Epic Battles & Facts Pandora's box, Finally The Ancient Mystery Revelead And much, much more Join us on an adventure to discover Greek Mythology and learn what life was like in Ancient Greece in This Book.