Mythology Books

[Vasteel]

"A Field Guide to Demons, Fairies, Fallen Angels, and Other Subversive Spirits" by Mack and Mack is excellent. There was also a magazine (don't know if it's still in print) called Parabola that features myths from around the world, a great place to learn about myths from smaller or more obscure cultures. And while not mythology per se, Herodotus' "Histories" is essential reading.

[Satsuki]

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/AS...361821-8249622

best book ever on Mythology, hands down. You really don't need anything else, this covers everything.

ps- the illustrations rock.

[Thief Silver]

Yep, Superman whupped his ass.

BTW - Wiccan.

I think Ironplant knows how to spell it and was just doing a thing similiar to "teh"

[Rumpy]

I think Ironplant knows how to spell it and was just doing a thing similiar to "teh"

heh. Doubt it.

[Fe 26]

heh. Doubt it.

ystfu ikwiwd a

[kuro]

"Mythology" is a pretty huge category. Care to narrow it down? I mean, are you looking for books on hermeneutics, archetypal symbology, comparitive iconology? Myth as transubstantiative pedagogy? Whether Thor can beat Superman?

I guess you come closest with "Thor can beat Superman."

Basic mythology from around the world, deities, monsters, places, stuff like that.

And stop using big words, I'm only in community college.

"A Field Guide to Demons, Fairies, Fallen Angels, and Other Subversive Spirits" by Mack and Mack is excellent.

I actually have this book. I have a very forgetful friend that lent it to me. A couple years later I tried to give it back, but he refused and let me keep it.

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/A...9361821-8249622

best book ever on Mythology, hands down. You really don't need anything else, this covers everything.

ps- the illustrations rock.

I'll keep an eye out for that book, but I have to buy it at Barnes and Nobles since I get a discount there.

EDIT- Some of these prices pwn my discount.

Also, some people who bought that book bought some of the ones on my list, but I stopped reading amazon.com reviews since I heard that they were writing their own to boost sales.

[Tones]

What about Mythology by Edith Hamilton? It gives an in-depth breakdown of the different Greek gods, goddesses, monsters, and tales. I believe that it gives a general look at the nordic gods. Related to this is Homer's The Odyssey. While Mythology is more of a reference book, The Odyssey gives the account of Odysseus' twenty-year journey from the battle at Troy back home to Ithaca. The version I have, translated by W. H. D. Rouse, is supposed to be one of the better translations.

Also along the same lines is Dante's Inferno. This book gives descriptions of the different levels of hell.

Personally, I didn't find these books to be too interesting... they were all read for school, and mythology definitely isn't one of my interests.

[AstroBlue]

The version I have, translated by W. H. D. Rouse, is supposed to be one of the better translations.

E. V. RIEU > W. H. D. Rouse

[Tracer]

I have Samuel Buttlers' translation.

I recommend "Sagas of the Icelanders," Kevin Crossley Holland "The Norse Myths," Joseph Cambells works and Edith's "Mythology." Those should "get you in the door."

[kuro]

What about Mythology by Edith Hamilton? It gives an in-depth breakdown of the different Greek gods, goddesses, monsters, and tales. I believe that it gives a general look at the nordic gods. Related to this is Homer's The Odyssey. While Mythology is more of a reference book, The Odyssey gives the account of Odysseus' twenty-year journey from the battle at Troy back home to Ithaca. The version I have, translated by W. H. D. Rouse, is supposed to be one of the better translations.

Also along the same lines is Dante's Inferno. This book gives descriptions of the different levels of hell.

Personally, I didn't find these books to be too interesting... they were all read for school, and mythology definitely isn't one of my interests.

I own Dante's trilogy, and I didn't even have to read it in high school. I've seen Edith Hamilton's book once at a Waldenbooks, but was strapped for cash and never saw it again. Which is wierd, because I hear it's pretty abundant. And I'm pretty familiar with the Odyssey and the Iliad, but would like a book on each for records.

I just bought some books on amazon.com:
Dictionary of Imaginary Places
Giants, Monsters and Dragons
TOLKIEN : The Illustrated Encyclopaedia

For about $30, that's including shipping.