The Greek Myths (Penguin Classics Deluxe Edition)

It has been so long since I read Graves I forgot how wonderful he is. I think this is probably the best way to get into Greek myths, full stories, good footnotes (for the confusing or contradictory bits), and good organization. One caution, although I love to read these to my kids, the ancient Greeks (at least, when viewed from the perspective of a modern American grade-schooler) got kinda pervy sometimes, so, be prepared to skip over a few of the boot-knockin'-cousins bits if you're reading to younger children (these are part of the myth and, to his credit, Graves handles them very tastefully. But, Zeus, dude! I know that's a goddess and all, but you know she's also your sister, right??). Also it's not a bad idea to contextualize all the substance abuse wine, nectar, and ambrosia (which, if I recall correctly, Graves suggests may represent psilocybe mushrooms) -- again, critical parts of the story and important to relate, just with appropriate framing (wouldn't want your kids to think you'll go crazy like Herakles did). That said, the themes here (boot-related and otherwise) are eternal and still emerge in the greatest fiction of today. Fickle fate, heroes, monsters, immortal forces... this is a goldmine for anyone who needs inspiration to write, seeks ideas for a game, or needs a springboard to re-awaken appreciation of myth.Rick Riordan (of Percy Jackson fame) writes an absolutely wonderful intro to this book, suitable for anyone. The comic-like artwork on the cover is clever and well done, but this is not a graphic novel. Instead it's a wonderfully heavy chunk of text from Robert Graves wrapped in some nice artwork and introduction by other talented folks.

Excellent, nearly exhaustive reference work by Robert Graves made even more attractive to young scholars by Rick Riordan's superb intro. If you have a kid who is into his works, you know exactly how powerful his name can be!

I saw a copy of Robert Grave's "The Greek Myths" a year or two ago at my local community library(which isn't there anymore, unfortunately). It had this great Comic book Greek Gods/Goddesses as superheros cover - Brilliant idea. I read like ten pages and knew I hit paydirt. Proof of astrotheology and Sir James Frazer's "The Golden Bough.Lots of so called scholars in high University positions today belittle Sir James Frazer's "The Golden Bough." I found almost on every page turned evidence for Sacrificial Kings. It's practically over 700 pages of proof of a pre-male Earth Goddess religions, who had a system of Sacrificing a "King for a day" whether they used magic successfully or not, to bring the rains and the harvests.This yearly harvest religion has astro-theology implied implicitly. The yearly seasonal changes involves the sun and moon. Even Sir James Frazer withdrew from any astro-theological implications.Robert Graves "The Greek Myths" also analyses Homer's Illiad much more than any archaeological dig ever has. He does so using Greek Mythology. Not that Greek gods actually existed; but, people back then did, and mythology is the window we have to see what they knew or thought they knew. Most Troy documentaries anyways, just talk about Schliemann and how he discovered it, as if that's all there is interesting to say about Troy. Seems to me that Robert Grave's mythological exploration says a lot more about Troy, and all that can be said about it.

Amazon / Penguin should have been more clear in their description of this book's charms. It certainly has them and yet, I'm feeling duped.I've been so excited for this "graphic" edition of a classic reimaged as comic. Well, it just arrived and -- WAH! -- my worst worry has been realized. The only "graphic" part of this edition is a cool cover -- albeit a really cool cover. I had hoped that there'd be at least a few comic illustrations inside but no. So so bummed! Neither the coolness of the cover nor the quality of the printing / pages is doing much to allay my disappointment.There was room to include at least graphic chapter headers if not a myth-to-comic adaption here & there. Even one! For 20 bucks I expected more. If you just want to read this book but don't care about a cool cover, used copies can be had for pennies.If you're like me and you already own Graves but were hoping to see a few comic versions of an old favorite then you will be sorely disappointment. Even more so because of how beautiful the cover is for it really shows how amazing this book could've been had they only included more of the "graphic" elements. Chapter headings & just one story-as-comic would have been enough. At least to ease the yearning for more. As it is, I'm not so sure it's worth it -- especially if you already have Graves in your bookshelf.If you are new to Graves or the Greek myths and don't mind paying extra for a quality printing then go for it. The paper is lovely and the cover folds out to include 8 more gods / hero depictions: Artemis, Heracles, Polyphemus, Medusa, Icarus, Perseus, Andromeda & a Centaur.The awesomeness of these illustrations only makes me crave more of 'em. I wish this illustrator would do a whole book -- using only a handful of myths maybe.Graves is comprehensive and worth reading but I really expected more here. Amazon was almost deliberately unclear. As for content, other readers have reviewed Graves elsewhere on Amazon. Suffice to say, the myths via Graves is a classic for a reason.Wah! I feel like an 8 yo boy who got only socks for Christmas! Damn you, Santa! Damn you straight to Hades!Still, I doubt I'll be able to bring myself to send this beauty back. It's just too nice! It would make an excellent gift for any reader or book lover. A fan of the myths could not resist it even if they already own another version. So give it as a gift, buy it for yourself if you're a sucker for a gorgeous cover / printing but look elsewhere if you only want the Graves text cause that's almost all you're getting here.As for myself, I'm sure I'll end up keeping this book cause it's just too damn cool -- even if it makes me ache to imagine how much cooler it could've been.Update: I've had this book for about a year. I still wish it had more graphic elements but I don't regret keeping it. It's displayed prominently in my room and I enjoy it daily. I do still believe that the publishers missed an opportunity to create something extraordinary which is too bad. I'm glad I wrote this review and clarified the "cool cover only" issue. However, I am a sucker for a great cover and a beautiful book so I'm happy to own it.

Beautiful. And in excellent condition. Highly recommended copies to add to your library.

Aus irgendeinem Grund war ich der Meinung, es würde sich um einen Comic handeln. Zumindest suggeriert das die Produktbeschreibung.

Somewhere, I have the Penguin paperback edition of this work but, with so many books in the house, it has become buried! I purchased the two-volume Folio edition in a slipcase and am reliving these wonderful stories I first read over forty years ago. Robert Graves' work is not for the faint-hearted; the retelling of the myths themselves pre-supposes one has a knowledge of both the mythological characters' and place names and, if you thought there were endless characters in Tolstoy's 'War and Peace', you 'ain't heard nothin' yet'. Be prepared to encounter a myriad of diverse heroes and heroines plus a plethora of gods and goddesses, most with tongue twisting names. But please don't be deterred. This work is the most comprehensive of its type and is a true account of the mythology and ancient beliefs of the Greeks whose resounding histories are the foundation of western knowledge, civilisation, and understanding. Graves' additions to each myth gives an insight into the origins of each myth and links them to other cultures' beliefs on which they were either founded or co-existed. Reading 'The Greek Myths' transports its readers to a place and time which still lingers somewhere at the back of our collective memory and, to some extent, sheds light on our current religious beliefs. It is a fulfilling and satisfying read and with the perseverance of those unfamiliar with its characters and locations, will provide a basis of intellectual enlightenment. I thoroughly recommend 'The Greek Myths' to students and general readers alike.

A wonderful edition pretty decorated and very well conserved. All in all a great book for those who love greek mythology.

BELLO, SCRITTO BENE, MI OCCORREVA IN LINGUA INGLESE. COSTO MOLTO BUONO, RISPETTO AL NEGOZIO. LA CARTA E' MOLTO BELLA, CREDO SIA RICICLATA, TUTTO OK.