Nice introduction to the mythos - glad to see that ...
925164
Nice introduction to the mythos - glad to see that from an anabaptist. Main character is too self-absorbed for the reading to be enjoyable though.
3488321
As someone who has never studied or read anything regarding this subject before I can honestly say this has been an enjoyable, as well as, informative read.

Chapter 1 Divinity and Deities in Ancient Egypt was beautifully written and therefore very easy to get through.

Chapter 2 Ancient Egyptian Cosmogonies and Cosmology (my personal favorite) was a little more difficult to get through but definitely worth the effort. The author was trying to present (the rise of) each cosmogonical myth in context to what was going on both socially and politically around its city of origin, as well as Egypt as a whole, at the time.

Chapter 3 Society, Morality, and Religious Practice was the hardest to get through mainly because it was written in a way that was, at times, hard to understand. Some of the sentences didn't make sense and there were whole paragraphs that did not seem to belong with the rest of the text. It seemed as though everything that the author was trying to convey could have been done with about half the amount of text. Having said that, I did find the information presented extremely interesting and something I hadn't considered before (its a shame I kept nodding off). It was a nice break from what I normally read and, not having much to compare it to, would certainly recommend it to others.
916350
A fair entry into the expanded Lovecraft mythos. The author goes into great detail about nearly all aspects of the story and creatures who inhabit it. Though the actual story was somewhat dry the author creates a rather impressive detailed journey. Definatly recommended for anyone who is more interested in exploring the sights and experiences of the Lovecraftian world as long as you don't expect a more pure narrative driven story. (Haven't read the rest of the series)
301494
Stories interesting but a bit pat...would love to see more mythology involved
4033769
There are good and bad things to say about William Hansen's Classical Mythology: A Guide to the Mythical World of the Greeks and Romans.

Let me start with the many good things: 1) It's approach, by classifying myths and folktales into specific patterns, is educative and interesting.  2) It is well-written and comprehensive.  3) Most of the information inside is accurate.  4) It is easy and enjoyable to read.  5) Most importantly, in my opinion, it corrects four of the common mistakes found in many books on Classical Mythology - Gaia was not the daughter of Khaos in Hesiod, but the second being born from creation; Khaos was not chaotic (as in English), but open space or air; Apollon (yes Apollon) was not a sun god originally, though he later might have been worshipped as such.  The sun god is Helios; and Artemis was never worshipped as a moon goddess. This honor belongs to Helios' sister, Selene.

Unfortunately, the good points about this book do not outweigh my major complaint. This might not be Hansen's fault, actually.  The back cover states clearly under "Features" that the book contains "A detailed timeline [which] serves as a convenient 'episode guide' chronicling events described in classical mythology." I have read the book and then flipped through it page by page, just in case, to find said "timeline" with absolutley NO luck.  It is not there (at least not in my copy). As I am a student of myth, I have already read all of the stories and myths. I actually purchased this book BECAUSE of the promised timeline. So, in the end, money I spent for a timeline yielded nothing.

Another issue I had is with a few instances of incorrect information.  The book presents itself as educative. As a college instructor and avid reader, I have encountered many errors in recounting myths in my time.  When an educative book contains an error I cannot help but to feel frustrated because I know that this will just perpetuate the error. I only have two complaints about this.  1) Hansen seems to not realise that Okeanos (Ocean) was a fresh-water deity, we misuse the term.  He refers to the daughters of Okeanos, the Okeanids, as sea nymphs.  2) More importantly, I believe for the sake of myth in his section on the Titans is very inaccurate. Hansen seems to claim that all of the Titans fought against the Olympians during the great war between the two.  However, neither the female Titans (or Titanides) nor Okeonos was involved.  He even uses Themis as an example of a Titan who does not match the Olympian prowess . . . but the point is moot since she did not fight them anyway.  In fact, Themis was Zeus' second wife and by her he fathered the Horae (Season.) Themis actually was said to live with the Olympians as she represented divine order.  He also fathered the Muses by Mnemosyne.  The other Titanides (his mother Rheia, Theia, Phoibe, and Tethys) were never said to participate in the war.  Okeonos likewise did not, and, in fact, Zeus rewarded him for not taking up the Titans cause.  Hansen also claims that Zeus punished the Titans forever in Tartaros, but Zeus actually was said to have allowed at least Kronos freedom as Kronos rules over the Isle of the Blessed.

For those who do not care about the timeline I mention, this book might have more stars.  But, this was the sole reason for which I purchased the book.  So, I can only give the book 3 stars.  It gets 3, as opposed to 2, because I was so happy to read Hansen say that Gaia was the second being after creation and not, as often mistaken, the child of Khaos.
1643809
I have read several scholarly translations of Norse myths and tales and bought this book to find out how a modern writer might interpret them.  I was not disappointed.  Crossley-Holland's retellings are crisp and interesting and still retain the traditional feel of the originals.  Strongly recommended as a great introduction to a long-neglected mythology.
2780987
What I found perhaps the most valuable about this book was Davis' explanation of the differences between myths, legends, fables and folktales. In the Introduction and Chapter One, Davis explores the concepts of story-making and storytelling in human history, which have evolved with language and culture to help shape our worldviews today through imprinted backstories that range from the obviously fantastic to contemporary religion. Understanding these concepts can help us to understand our own actions as well as those of other cultures. Although his descriptions are brief, they do provide a good jumping-off point for further study.

Beginning with Chapter Two, Davis is off to the races, providing in-depth descriptions and analysis of mythologies, from ancient Egypt to Mesopotamia to the Greeks and Romans, and onward through the Western traditions; crossing over to India and the other Eastern traditions, and then Africa, but running out of steam, it seemed, with aboriginal-American mythology and the traditions of Polynesia, fetching up at last in just a few short pages with aboriginal Australia. The book is also bulky in places, with introductory pages in each chapter, much of which is repeated later in lists of mythological gods and personalities. This converts the book specifically into a reference as opposed to a book that can be read comfortably from cover to cover.

Nevertheless the book remains a good place to chart further study, with its outline format, lengthy timelines, and historical vignettes.
1103550
This book reminds me of Joseph Campbell's great, "Primitive Mythology."  Corliss admits in the preface some of his material may be controversial in regard to sources and authenticity. So, keeping your grain of salt handy, jump in and enjoy the journey. Heck, if only half of it is true it would still be an important look at the ancient people's inventions and myths and sciences and arts. We forget sometimes [at least I do] that the ancients were often very intelligent and creative, this book helps us see the truth of that. It's a big book, over 700 pages, with many different items and categories. There are a lot of drawings and some photographs.

Worthwhile.
2827908
Nice intro book to this universe.  I look forward to more titles, perhaps a bit less heroine solves everything would be nice, but it isn't too bad.
4916999
I love that this exists because we not only get to see some background story to some lesser explored characters, but also because of the illustrations and brief bios. It's helpful if you're someone like me, reading the stories as they come out one at a time and could use a refresher on some of the characters.
1162721
One of the new fourth grade Common Core standards includes helping students to understand how some words allude to significant characters in Greek mythology. This book makes this task much easier! Short, easy to read stories introduce characters from myths and explain how the stories are related to common words used today. The stories don't assume much background knowledge about mythology, which is good for my students.  I look forward to using it in the classroom...I just wish it were available in paperback so it would be easier to get multiple copies.
4916282
This "Everything" guide is a good book for younger readers and those who are only starting to get into mythology.  At over 290 pages, it covers the major players and who's who of Roman and Greek mythology (as in Jupiter/Zeus, Venus/Aphrodite, the Trojan War, Odysseus, et al).
However, more serious and 'seasoned' fans and scholars will likely prefer THE COMPLETE IDIOT'S GUIDE TO CLASSICAL MYTHOLOGY by Kevin Osborn.  We're not idiots, of course, but this book is meatier and has more background information on the various gods/goddesses, heroes and stories. At over 350 pages, it is 60 pages thicker than the "Everything" book and has smaller text and less white space.  For instance, an entire chapter is devoted to the Trojan War hero Achilles while the "Everything" book only has a few pages, at the most.
Fans who want more than classical mythology will want to explore MYTHOLOGY FOR DUMMIES by Christopher Blackwell.  This book also delves into the Arthurian legend, Norse myths, Beowulf, as well as world mythology in general (Chinese, Jewish, Hindu, etc).
These 3 books are all excellent. The choice lies on the readers' level of interests.  I would recommend the "Everything" book to  younger readers (middle or high schoolers, for instance) and those who just want the basics on classical mythology.
1562181
This is an excellent volume for introductory, background,
and inspired reading to do further research on the Aztec
and Mayan mythologies.  Don't let the number of pages
fool you (80) -- there is a wealth of solid information
and well as excellent photographs and drawing reproductions
to inform, entrance, and entertain in this book.
 The chapter titles are: Introduction; Major sources and
the History of Research; Aztec Mythology; Maya Mythology;
Mesoamerican Mythology.  There is also a 2 page presentation
of Suggestions for Further Reading, which is very fine.
The Introduction, as well as the chapters, are subdivided
into helpfully labeled subsections. The Introduction's
subsections are: Ancient Mesoamerican History; Ancient
Mesoamerican religion (Calendrics; Day versus Night;
Twins; Role Models and Social Conduct). The chapter on
Aztec Mythology has the subsections: The Creation of
Heaven and Earth; The Restoration of the Sky and Earth;
The Origin of People; The Origin of Maize; The Origin
of Pulque ("an alcohoic beverage made from the fermented
sap of the maguey plant"); The Creation of the Fifth Sun;
Mythology of the Aztec State; The Birth of Huitzilopochtli.
The chapter on Maya Mythology has the subsections: The
-Popol Vuh-: Primordial Origins; The Hero Twins and the
Vanquishing of Xibalba; The Origin of Maize and People;
The -Popol Vuh- Creation Epic in Classic Maya Religion;
Maya Mythology of Yucatan; Yucatec Creation Mythology
and the Flood; Creation Mythology and Calendrics in
Yucatan.
The pictures and reproduction of drawings are incredible.
The cover picture for the book is of "The Maize God,
flanked by his sons Hunahpu and Xbalanque, emerging out
of the earth, represented as a split turtle shell."
On page 6 there is a very good map of Mexico and the
Mesoamerican region with the Aztec and Maya sites
located. Some of the other provocative pictures are of
A Mesoamerican Model of Time and Space, The Venus god
Tlahuizcalpantecuhtli attacking a watery mountain,
Mosaic sacrificial knife (Aztec), God 9 Wind (Mixtec),
Tezcatlipoca deity impersonator to be sacrificed during
the twenty-day month of Toxcatl, The Destruction of the Sun
of Wind and the Transformation of Humans into Monkeys, the
Aztec Calendar Stone, and many others.
An excerpt or two: "The rain god Tlaloc rules over the
third creation, the sun of rain.  This world is destroyed
by Quetzalcoatl in a rain of fire -- probably volcanic ash,
a relatively common geological occurrence in central
Mexico. The fiery rain magically transforms the people of
this race into turkeys [! -- from "Aztec Mythology"]."
"Mesoamerican myths are more than sacred accounts of the
origins of the world; they also contain profound lessons
for proper behaviour.  Among the most commonly mentioned
vices to bring disaster and defeat are arrogance and
greed." (--from "Introduction: Role Models and Social
Conduct.")
  -- Robert Kilgore.
3821389
This book is a concise review and overview of the Greek gods, myths that arose from them, the demi-gods, the love affairs, the connections among the gods and human beings. It was also neat to learn about some of the heritage in western thinking that we have because of this mythology.

I wonder, though, about this assumption: "...no one knows where history begins and where myths end because they are so intertwined with one another, that no one is able to figure out what is fiction and what is reality." (loc. 60). Maybe the ancient Greeks didn't know -- but mostly we do know today. Also, "...these myths and stories are so embellished, it's very hard to tell reality from fiction." Well, I've never believed that it was actually Zeus who caused lightning!

Still, if you want a straightforward type of introduction to all these gods and myths, this is a good book.
4008677
A good read and, considering the subject matter (a Jungian approach to myth), a fast one. Even with the many myths I was not familiar with, it quickly introduced me and kept me interested.  You don't have to be deeply in to Jung or in analysis to enjoy the book, though I think some familiarity with either or both those things would help deepen the read.  It clarifies a lot of otherwise opaque Jungian ideas.
569300
Some very good stories in the Cthulhu mythos  tradition.  Some I had read, but many were new to me.  Glad I purchased this book.  If you like tales from H. P. Lovecraft and many who added to his mythos, you will probably enjoy this book as well.
1029342
I found "Goddess Within" quite illuminating, as I haven't read much Greco/Roman mythology - yet.  I'm not of the same belief system as the authors, and at times found that an impediment, but was able to read around those limitations and learn quite a bit.  It does indeed help with insights into personality types and the ways they may change over a woman's life.  Not a bad introduction to mythology and archetypes, if this is up your alley in terms of your area of interest.