D'Aulaires' Book of Greek Myths
by Edgar Parin d'Aulaire, Ingri d'Aulaire
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Book Reviews of D'Aulaires' Book of Greek Myths
Book Review: Encyclopedic
Summary: 4 Stars
This book is oversized and has 192 pages. It is fairly comprehensive of the major and lesser figures in Greek mythology. It includes timeless stories about these beings. Because of the tremendous influence that Ancient Greek culture has had on western civilization, to this day, this volume is undoubtedly useful--a treasure.I disagree with the comments on the art by other reviewers. Some of the art is truly wonderful, but other illustrations are not attractive. Generally, the simple line drawings and monochrome illustrations are far better than the full color illustrations, where the use of color sometimes assaults the eye (and sensibilities).
For an introduction to Ancient Greece and its mythology, I'd recommend something else (like Greek Gods and Goddesses....... For a children's reference book, this is the one to have.
Book Review: I'll never forget this book
Summary: 5 Stars
I had the hard cover of this book as a child and started reading it when I was 6 or so. These gods and goddesses lit up my imagination and they never left me. The language is perfect for children without being babyish or condescending, the drawings are impeccable (I'll never forget how handsome Zeus was!), and the organization of the information is very sensible.
Due to this book's influence I read the Odyssey at age 10 and Ovid by high school. When i went to college I took a mythology class (not to mention several Greek drama classes) and got perfect scores on every exam--without cracking a book--simply because the contents of this childhood favorite never left me.
I am buying this soft cover for my 6-year-old RIGHT NOW! Great price and invaluable contents. A must-have for every child's library.
Book Review: Highly Recommended For All Ages
Summary: 5 Stars
I read this book when I was very young. I was probably 8 or 9 years old. It was at a time when I loved reading about anything involving Greek mythology. Hands down, this had to have been my favorite book to read about the Titans, Hera's jealousy and even Heracles to name a few topics.
The book has a very unique illustration style. It's kind of plain but fits well with the content. The writing is awesome, and each story is conveyed to the nearest truth. Most if not all the major gods are present along with their biographies.
I've read many reviews saying it's mainly for the kids, but if you love Greek mythology as much as I do, then this book is ideal for you. I'm an adult and still love this book. If you're still a young person, pick up the book and discover the magic behind Greek mythology.
Book Review: Not just for children
Summary: 5 Stars
The illustrations in this book make it great for children, but the content is perfect for adults who would like to quickly brush up on Greek mythology (in my case, to appreciate the Percy Jackson and the Olympians Paperback Boxed Set (Books 1-3) novels a bit better). The book is comprehensive without being too lengthy, and gives approximately the same amount of information on a subject that you might find in a basic Wikipedia entry. But D'Aulaires' Book of Greek Myths is a much more enjoyable way to obtain the information than Wikipedia, and provides a lot more context. This is a great addition to any home library.Book Review: A cherished memory
Summary: 5 Stars
This was the first book of Greek mythology that I ever read, when I was an eight year old, bored and wandering my school library. Today I can still recall individual illustrations, and particular twists on the stories that were present in this book. Even today, many further books of Greek mythology under my belt, it is still my favorite. The perfect balance of story and illustration, of black and white sketch and brilliant color, I can think of no better introduction to the world of Greek mythology than this volume. A few months ago my young cousin expressed an interest in Greek mythology, and it was with great pride and fondness that I bought him a copy of D'Aulaires' for his birthday. According to my aunt he re-read it at least three times in the first week he had it.