Mythology for Dummies

Features

• Cover Type: Paperback with 384 pages
• Published by: For Dummies
• Edition: 1st Edition May 15, 2002
• Written in: English
• ISBN 10 Number: 0764554328
• ISBN 13 Number: 978-0764554322
• Book Dimensions: 9.1 x 7.4 x 0.9 inches
• Weighs: 1.3 pounds

Product Description
Every culture and time has its myths. You might say that myths help us to understand people, since just like people they can be inspirational and gorgeous, as well as cruel and violent. The main players in mythology are the original drama kings and queens — they hang themselves in shame, poke out their own eyes, rule cities, and marry their relatives — and the fun doesn’t stop there! If you want all the scoop on gods and goddesses, fates and furies, monsters and heroes from around the world, Mythology for Dummies is the Who’s Who of mythological figures that you can’t do without.

It’s no secret that mythology can be confusing for anyone. From cultural hero Johnny Appleseed, to manly Odysseus, to femme fatale Aphrodite, and those pesky Cyclops running amuck on that faraway island, Mythology for Dummies covers all the bases, including information on:

• Greek mythology
• Homer’s Iliad and Odyssey
• Roman mythology
• Virgil’s Aeneid
• Beowulf
• Non-European mythology

Also, this book will get you up to speed on the heavy stuff—like how mythology intersects with our lives, and explores the meaning of existence. Organized into chapters on specific topics, it breaks down the common types of myths and mythological figures, and offers plain-English explanations of how myths have appeared in cultures throughout the ages. You’ll find what you need to know on these topics and many more:

• What makes myths different from legends and fairy tales
• Greek creation myths and those really ancient Greek Gods
• The Olympian Gods (taller, younger, and better looking than you)
• The Greek goddesses (the fairest and the meanest of them all)
• Heroes — made, born, and re-born
• Mythological places from Elysium Fields, to Atlantis, and Xanadu
• Roman religion — how it was begged, borrowed, and stolen

You’ll also enjoy helpful features like charts comparing major figures, and a tear-out tip-sheet with a timeline of world civilizations. Whether you want to dabble in the wonders of mythology or get serious, Mythology for Dummies will demystify the subject, and show you how important myths can be to a culture. You’ll never say, “It’s only a myth” again!

Back Cover Copy
Features charts comparing gods and goddesses for easy reference

Get to know musclebound mortals, mighty monsters, and divine deities in no time at all!

From the Iliad to the Aeneid, from Camelot to Valhalla, this highly readable book demystifies mythologies from all over the globe. Beginning with the ancient Greeks and Romans, this book explores the lesser-known stories of northern Europe, the Middle East, Egypt, India, China, Japan, and the Americas.

The Dummies Way

• Explanations in plain English
• "Get in, get out" information
• Icons and other navigational aids
• Tear-out cheat sheet
• Top ten lists
• A dash of humor and fun

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Reader Reviews
Mythology fans and scholars who want more than your usual Greek and Roman mythology will enjoy MYTHOLOGY FOR DUMMIES by Christopher Blackwell et al. This book also delves into the Arthurian legend, Norse myths, Beowulf, as well as world mythology in general (Chinese, Jewish, Hindu, etc). At over 300 pages, it does a good job of covering the various myths around the world. However, those who are interested mainly in classical mythology (e.g. Jupiter/Zeus, Juno/Hera, the Trojan War, Odysseus, Perseus, Hercules) will likely prefer THE COMPLETE IDIOT'S GUIDE TO CLASSICAL MYTHOLOGY by Kevin Osborn. This book gets more into the history and backgrounds of the Greek and Roman gods/goddesses and heroes/heroines. For instance, an entire chapter is devoted to the Trojan War hero Achilles while the "Dummies" book only has a few paragraphs, at the most. We're not idiots or dummies, of course, and these books are excellent reference guides to the world of mythology. At over 350 pages, both books are meaty and informative, interesting and engrossing. Your choice as a reader solely depends on where your interests lie. I would recommend the "Dummies" book to those who are interested in world mythology and the "Idiot's Guide" to those who strictly want Greek and Roman mythology. I would also recommend Edith Hamilton's various mythology books. Her books actually give a "cliff's notes" version of the various stories and tales - ranging from the Arthurian legends, to the Trojan War, to the Aeneid and beyond.