D'Aulaires' Book of Greek Myths
by Edgar Parin d'Aulaire, Ingri d'Aulaire
|
List Price: Our Price: $10.78 You Save: $9.17 (46%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $2.61 (click here) Category: Book See more book details and other editions |
|---|
Book Reviews of D'Aulaires' Book of Greek Myths
Book Review: good for kids - not super-accurate for adults
Summary: 4 Stars
This was a good purchase. I wanted an accessible, convenient collection of Greek myths, and most of it is in there. The illustrations aren't so hot, but the stories are well-written. I was a bit dissapointed to find that many of the aspects of Greek myth that influence human psychology, Freud, and Jung, are mostly missing. Instead of being killed, Gods are merely defeated, or chased away, etc. Aphrodite just sort of 'appears' from sea foam, though most of us know she came from the sea foam after Uranus' genitals were thrown into the sea by Cronus.
Understandably, parents wouldn't want their kids to be reading about that, although, as a 12 year old boy, I would've loved to hear all the gory details of these events, and I'll bet parents in antiquity told these stories to children, but, that being said, if you're a modern, protective parent that still wants to give your child at least some exposure to the world/culture, this is the book for you.
mythology with training wheels.
Book Review: Timeless Book of Tales
Summary: 5 Stars
I first read this book when I was twelve years old and it affected me so much that ten years later I still have a deep and abiding love of Greek mythology. A ratty, paperback copy I found at Salvation Army still holds *the* place of honor in my Greco-Roman collection, usurping The Odyssey, The Iliad, Edith Hamilton, and Robert Graves.What originally struck me as so fantastic (and still does) is that the D'aulaires don't write down to their audience or edit out details important to the original myth that some parents might not approve of. The end result? An all ages storybook and mythological primer that no one should be ashamed to own.
The drawings are an acquired taste, falling somewhere between Classical pottery paintings and Art Deco, but they do grow on you. My only quibble is that there's no pronunciation guide, which can really hamper you if this is your first exposure to these stories.
Buy this for for your children or even for yourself, you will never regret it.
Book Review: Origins
Summary: 5 Stars
The United States, Europe and all the Western Powers trace back to one place - ancient Greece, where Western civilization was born. The origins of Western government, science and social behavior is rooted deeply in the first ways of the Greeks. Here, alongside wistful artwork, are the first gods of the West, before the coming of the Jews and Jesus.
Full of powerful gods and fierce, clever goddesses this is a great work of art. It provides much insight on the foundation of the very oldest powers of the West. These myths are very human and show how in many ways people have not changed - more than anything it is technology that has truly changed. Well, lots of new ideas along the way, too.
If you are interested in the origin of the West, make sure to read "The Republic" crafted by that great philosopher, Plato. It is the origin of democratic government and truly ordered systems. Also look into the great poet Virgil.
Book Review: A treasure from my childhood.
Summary: 5 Stars
This book has been in print for at least 40 years. It was my introduction to Greek mythology when I was in elementary school in the early 60s. Now, a very educated middle aged man who has read Homer, Hesiod, Ovid, the Athenian playwrights, and all the great literature based on the mythology, I can tell you that 75% of my basic knowledge of these myths still comes from my devouring, re-reading, absorbing D'Aulaire in what can only be called a child's fantasy paradise. I have no children, but if I did and could gift them as I was gifted, I would count myself a successful parent if I did nothing more than introduce them to this book. The gorgeous illustrations are still burned in my memory. How any team of writers could depict Kronos devouring his children, Arachne being transformed into a spider, and so forth, and not make it frightening to a small child--well, this book is a miracle. Check it out and may your family cherish it.Book Review: She started at age 3 and never stopped
Summary: 5 Stars
Our daughter received this book when she was about three, we started reading it to her one night, and for the next five years at least we continued reading and re-reading through it every night. Talk about an early start on the great Greek Myths! To this day I'm sure Athena's owl is still flapping and hooting about in her brain. Really, this was the best possible way for our kids to discover and imbibe these great god and goddess, hero and heroine legends. Each tale is told in a straightforward page or two with one or two unpretentious but memorable color illustrations. That treatment worked well because the stories themselves are so plainly marvelous. Our son liked them too for quite a while, but then moved on to the D'Aulaire book of the Norse myths, and ultimately he was attracted more to non-fiction than to fiction. I hope my own writing is influenced by the years we spent with the D'Aulaires. Take Me With You When You Go