David McK (3557 KP) rated Heroes: Mortals and Monsters, Quests and Adventures in Books
Jun 24, 2020
I say 'more or less' as the setting of these tales are in constant flux, with characters popping up all over the place long before (or after) they otherwise should! That's not a criticism of the retelling: just a statement of fact.
This volume thus covers the likes of Bellerephon and Pegasus, Oedipus (yes, that Oedipus!), Heracles - who the Romans renamed Hercules - and his Twelve Labours, Jason and the Argonauts, Theseus and the Minotaur and many (many) others!
Worth it for the educational value alone!
Now, hurry up and release part 3 (Troy) ...
George Raft: The Films
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In the early 1930s, George Raft, an actor and dancer from New York City's Hell's Kitchen, gained a...
The Knowledge: Whisky
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Unravelling the mysteries of whisky, this eminently approachable and enjoyable guide delivers a...
The Science of Yoga: The Risks and the Rewards
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The Science of Yoga draws on a hidden wealth of science, history, and surprising facts to cut...
Celtic Sea Stories
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The Celtic belief that by recording a story the spirit of the story and its teller would die, has...
The Great Turning: From Empire to Earth Community
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"An epic work. Exposes the myths that divide us and frames the stories that can bring us together."...
David McK (3557 KP) rated Norse Mythology in Books
Jan 28, 2019
Mainly since I don't have a shelf for 'mythology'.
Which is what this is: a straight re-telling of various of the Norse myths by [a:Neil Gaiman|1221698|Neil Gaiman|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1234150163p2/1221698.jpg], an author who is most familiar to me through his colloboration (and friendship) with the late, great, Sir [a:Terry Pratchett|1654|Terry Pratchett|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1235562205p2/1654.jpg] in [b:Good Omens: The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch|12067|Good Omens The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch|Terry Pratchett|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1392528568s/12067.jpg|4110990], but who I am aware is famous in his own right and has written many other tales - some of which I have read (such as [b:Stardust|16793|Stardust|Neil Gaiman|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1459127484s/16793.jpg|3166179], [b:American Gods|30165203|American Gods|Neil Gaiman|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1462924585s/30165203.jpg|1970226] and [b:Neverwhere|14497|Neverwhere|Neil Gaiman|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1348747943s/14497.jpg|16534] all spring to mind), others of which I haven't (such as his Sandman series) .
As a straight re-telling, some of these myths are already familioar as they are ingrained in our popular culture (such as Ragnarok), whereas others have become more 'popular' and familiar over the years since the inclusion of Thor (and Loki) in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
It is unusual, however, to find such a retelling that is aimed at an adult audience - even if, by reading some of the prose within this, you might think it was aimed at kids (until you realise what's going on)!
23 Things They Don't Tell You About Capitalism
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Ha-Joon Chang's 23 Things They Don't Tell You About Capitalism turns received economic wisdom on its...
Her Own Hero: The Origins of the Women's Self Defense Movement
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The surprising roots of the self-defense movement and the history of women's empowerment. At the...