$8 to $20. Excellent Condition, lots of illustrations.

Michael Grant's "Myths of the Greeks and Romans" is a very informative and interesting collection of the ancient myths. I would say that Edith Hamilton's "Mythology" is for the novice reader of mythology, someone who knows very little about the myths and just wants a compendium of the stories and a who's who in the world of ancient Greek and Roman deities and their offspring. Michael Grant's book is for the intermediate reader of mythology who wants to delve deeper, maybe look at sources, history, later interpretations and transformations in other arts.

The book is divided into sections starting with the oldest written account which is, of course, the Iliad and the Odyssey, and then following the literary line, also divides them into families: Agamemnon and Prometheus, Oedipus and Antigone, Herakles and Dionysus, Heroic searchers: Jason, Orpheus, et al. and finally, ending with love stories: Baucis and Philomenon, Cupid and Psyche, Hero and Leander.

Each section begins with a synopsis of the story and variations. He then brings up various ways of interpreting the story, the history of the tale (both religious and social, psychological -when applicable), as well as how the story was reinterpreted by other writers through the years. The book also has many photographs showing the myths in ancient and modern art. I found this book dense at times, but always interesting and engaging.

My paperback copy of this book was published in 1962 and is falling apart and will probably go into the recycling bin, while I await a newer copy. Since it was published so long ago, there is probably much newer research that would contradict some of what Michael Grant presents (especially his use of Freud's interpretations of the myths), but nevertheless, I would highly recommend this book for someone interested in learning more than just which god slept with whom. ( )

Great reveiw of all the myths that I dimly remember such as Orpheus, Jason, etc. ( )