Hmm. Wasn't really thrilled with this book. I found it to be a bit dry and boring. Hamilton has a way of cramming so much plot into each story. Consequently, something is lost in translation... ( )

My interest in classical mythology dates from the time when I, 15 years old, first read Edith Hamilton's book, "Mythology." I shall forever be grateful to Ms. Hamilton for her wonderful introduction to a subject that, for me, never begins to pale. ( )

Short review for this one.

I love mythology. I’d just like to start off by saying that. The Edith Hamilton edition was part of my assigned summer reading. I’d already read a great deal of the legends so I was looking forward to expanding my knowledge with what was hailed as the ultimate mythology source.

But this was just…a disappointment. Or pick any other adjective you like: dry, tedious, bland—they’re all applicable. Edith Hamilton does know her stuff, I won’t deny that. I did learn quite a few things, which is excellent, but throughout the reading I couldn’t help but feel that I would have had a more riveting time if I had just looked up the stories on Wikipedia.

I know that this book is essentially a reference book, and reference books aren’t traditional leisure reading for most. But mythological stories should never be yawn-inducing. I went into the book expecting to be excited by the adventures of the gods and heroes and instead, I couldn’t wait for it to be over.

And though I don’t doubt that Hamilton knows her stuff, I found that a few of the stories didn’t add up with my previous knowledge. For example, I had learned that the Gorgons were three beautiful sisters and that Medusa was cursed after she was caught having sex with Poseidon in Athena’s tower. (A much more exciting version of events, in my humble opinion.) Also, discussing Hephaestus, she briefly mentions that in some legends he was thrown off the side of Olympus after his birth—well, that was the way I learned it, and it was an interesting story. Aside from that, gods like Hephaestus (and Ares) are barely discussed at all.

The one entertaining thing was counting how many times people turned into trees or flowers.

If you’re looking for a book on mythology, the Edith Hamilton edition is informative but not very interesting. If I had an alternative recommendation I would name it, but I’m still searching, unfortunately. ( )

A classic used in classrooms. I use a variety of books teaching mythology, but I refer back to Edith fairly often. Very accessible for high school students.

Un travail essentiel, très bien agencé et complet. L'auteur raconte les grands (et moins grands) mythes antiques avec beaucoup d'élégance. Parfois les récits souffrent de la concision, mais il s'agit d'un ouvrage d'introduction plus que d'une somme définitive. Très précieux, certains mythes sont réellement enchanteurs par leur finesse, leur imagination et leur poésie. ( )

In what is quite possibly one of the best, or at least, most renowned book on Greco-Roman mythology, Hamilton has presented here in an easy-to-digest format the high points of what happened on Mt. Olympus (and why it didn't stay on Mt. Olympus).

It's by no means exhaustive, but is otherwise a very informative source to get your feet wet in the world of Greco-Roman mythology. Additionally, it's a place to get your feet ever-so-slightly damp in the world of Norse mythology, as the section covering such seems more an afterthought than an appendix than an actual resource on the complex system that is Norse mythology.

If you're looking into the Greco-Roman, this is a great book to at least start, and at most, to complete that collection. If you're looking into the Norse, I'd recommend this book only if you can't manage to find any others about the topic. ( )

Classic mythology told as stories. Consider reading this as basic education to be able to recognize the infinite references to the ancient stories used in everyday life and modern story telling (including movies, tvs, plays, music, etc.) - though I am probably stating the obvious. This gives a solid grounding in the mythos of western civilizations. ( )

I first read this book in my highschool Latin class--long ago when I thought I might have made it through a 2nd year of Latin. The dumbed-down sheeple of my society don't put any value on myths, or much of anything but psychotropics and entertainment. Something priceless lays here. These stories are extremely important to understanding ourselves, our past, our planispheres, and the future. Without sounding too Sitchin-like, I will simply say that these are the rememberances of the b'nai Elohim, amongst other things. Ms. Hamilton provides us an excellent place to start to understand our (un)reality. Don't drink too much of the Eleusian blue potion, and enjoy the illustrations. The myths of other cultures, times, and places await you; all holding a golden thread of uniformity. ( )

This is a standard reference of mythology and the Greek and Roman gods. It is great for younger people who are getting interested in the subject and covers everything well. ( )

Hamilton does a great job of summarizing the major Greek plays and epic stories, as well as introducing the characters and gods found in most of the major mythologies. Until I have the time to actually read Ovid's Metamorphoses and Homer's Iliad, this was a great way to glean the basic stories. The language is so easy to understand, and the book such an easy read, that it really is a perfect tool for students beginning high school.

In the short term I'll keep this; it's a useful tool. But I do fully intend to read the original stories and plays eventually, in English translation as I'm never going to be fluent in Greek and Latin.

Side note: At the back of the book there's a chapter or two on Norse mythology. Personally, I feel it should be cut. It's so short it's almost an afterthought; it seems out of place after pages and pages of Greek and Roman mythology, which shares the same pantheon of deities. ( )

I adore this book. It gives the stories and then explains them in a way to be understood. When my little brother was reading Lightning Thief I gave him this and he even enjoyed it ( he's 10 y.o.). ( )

The companion volume to my 6th grade Latin grammar. If you have to read only one book to get up to speed on Greek & Roman mythology, this is the one. ( )

I love this book. Hamilton's tellings of Greek myth never get old for me. ( )

One of my perennial favorite books. A nimble and entertaining free fall into the ethos of an ancient era. ( )

For accuracy, deft comparisons, thoroughness of research, clarity of thought, and imaginative fluid writing, this is THE source for mythology. I have read and re-read this for years. ( )

A classic reference of mythology that I used in high school and college, and read on my own for interest, this book covers the majority of the Western European myths and legends, and gods and goddesses in a fashion that has held the interest of school kids for decades. The bulk of the material is about the Greek and Roman legends, but Norse mythology is also covered to some extent. A timeless reference. ( )

I was planning to use this book to help study for my GRE in English test, but found it not terribly good for that purpose. The book is well-written and easy to read, and covers and summarizes most of the pertinent myths and legends of Greek and Roman literature--but it's too long to be a summary. If I didn't want to read the original to get a particular story, I would go here--but I think I'd much rather read Ovid or Homer, even if it is more challenging. ( )

My mother bought this book for me when I was nine. At the time we were travelling through Greece. Reading about the ancient Greek Gods while touring through Delphi and Dodona made everything in the book so much more memorable to me.

In this book, the author endeavours to convey two things to the reader. The first is an overview of the Gods and stories of Greek myth. The other is a feeling for the poets and authors who wrote the tales.

Her modern retelling of the myths is accompanied by information about the author/s, and is interspersed with snippits of the original poetry.

This really does make both the subject matter and the translations of the original poetry more accessible. As a nine year old there was no way I was going to sit down and read the Iliad, and even as an adult, knowing the story makes a book like Homer's Oddysey more enticing.

It is an interesting book and is a good introduction to the topic without reducing its subject matter to "mythology-lite". I would recommend it. ( )

If only to cover your bases for Trivial Pursuit and/or Jeopardy, this book is worth reading and keeping as a reference. It's been awhile since I read it in 9th grade as a preface to The Odyssey and Julius Caesar, but I remember it being a very easy-to-read, almost Cliff's Notes version of the stories of the Greek Gods. Even if you don't think you'll ever use the trivia, the stories are interesting enough to read for the sake of reading. ( )

I was into mythology for a spell way back in my grade school days. I read every mythology book we had in the school library, including this tome. I didn't recall anything specific about it save the name, which I have seen mentioned on and off through the years. Either Ms. Hamilton has a great press agent or she knows her stuff about mythology. Anyway, when I wanted to read a source book for The Argonaut Affair, it was a no brainer to pick this one up. I had really forgotten how good some of those stories are. And as an adult I could now also appreciate Ms. Hamilton's comments on mythology in general and the various sources she used to assemble her own book. While I couldn't quite share her enthusiasm for the subject, it was enjoyable to hear her lovingly present these tales from ancient Greece and Rome. (and a brief nod to Norse mythology) While my girls already have some great mythology books, written by Ingri and Edgar Parin d'Aulaire, I'm going to keep this one on my shelf for them as well.
--J. ( )

Hamilton is really easy to read, she's the text we used in high school to introduce us to "Julius Ceasar" (?!) A great introductory text. I still refer to it. ( )

A must-have reference ( )

I love you, Edith Hamilton. One of several copies that I lifted from Miss LaDuca's 1986-87 Cretin High School freshman english class. ( )