1934 Modern Library Bulfinch Mythology Age of Fable-Chivalry-Legends Charlemagne

Description: Click here to see 1,000 archaeology/ancient history books and 2,000 ancient artifacts, antique gemstones, antique jewelry! Bulfinch's Mythology: The Age of Fable, The Age of Chilvalry, and The Legends of Charlemagne by Thomas Bullfinch. Collectible 1934 Modern Library First Edition. NOTE: We have 75,000 books in our library, almost 10,000 different titles. Odds are we have other copies of this same title in varying conditions, some less expensive, some better condition. We might also have different editions as well (some paperback, some hardcover, oftentimes international editions). If you don’t see what you want, please contact us and ask. We’re happy to send you a summary of the differing conditions and prices we may have for the same title. DESCRIPTION: Hardcover. Publisher: Modern Library (1934). Pages: 778. Size: 8 x 5¾ x 1½ inches; 1¾ pounds. Summary: Bulfinch's Mythology is a collection of general audience works by Latinist and banker Thomas Bulfinch, named after him and published after his death in 1867. The work was a highly successful popularization of Greek mythology for English-speaking readers. Carl J. Richard comments that it was "one of the most popular books ever published in the United States and the standard work on classical mythology for nearly a century," until the release of classicist Edith Hamilton's 1942 Mythology: Timeless Tales of Gods and Heroes. The book is a prose recounting of myths and stories from three eras: Greek and Roman mythology, King Arthur legends and medieval romances. Bulfinch intersperses the stories with his own commentary, and with quotations from writings by his contemporaries that refer to the story under discussion. This combination of classical elements and modern literature was novel for his time. Bulfinch expressly intended his work for the general reader. In the preface to The Age of Fable he states "Our work is not for the learned, nor for the theologian, nor for the philosopher, but for the reader of English literature, of either sex, who wishes to comprehend the allusions so frequently made by public speakers, lecturers, essayists, and poets, and those which occur in polite conversation." Bulfinch originally published his work as three volumes: The Age of Fable, or Stories of Gods and Heroes, published in 1855; The Age of Chivalry, or Legends of King Arthur, published in 1858; and Legends of Charlemagne, or Romance of the Middle Ages, published in 1863. The original three volumes were later combined into a single volume titled Bulfinch's Mythology, published in 1881. CONDITION: ACCEPTABLE/POOR. Lightly read or merely flipped through hardcover (no dustjacket). Modern Library (1934) 778 pages. Book appears as if someone read through perhaps the first 20 pages of the book, the rest of the book appears unread; leafed through perhaps a few times, but the only real reading wear is through the first 20 pages. If the book has been "read" (and by that we mean read through), then it was likely only once or twice by someone with an exceedingly "light touch". Nonetheless the book evidences fairly heavy age-related wear. The binding/front hinge was split at the title page (two pages beyond the front free page, the heavy, unprinted page just beneath the front cover). We used archival quality binding reinforcement tape to "bind the wound". The front and back free pages (the first and last heavy stock, unprinted blank pages in the book) show heavy tanning. With the book the pages are clean, unmarked, unmutilated, and remain well-bound (with the help of the binding tape at the front hinge), but they all show modest tanning at the out 1/2 inch of the page edges. From the outside the dark green cloth covers are relatively clean, but there is rubbing to the spine head and heel, to the extent that the head is a bit frayed. The book is clean and servicable, and only light read (and perhaps only flipped through a few times), but it is age worn. Suitable as an attractively priced, entry-level collectible copy of this remarkable tome, but not a "shelf trophy" (but then such copies typically sell for hundreds of dollars. Satisfaction unconditionally guaranteed. In stock, ready to ship. No disappointments, no excuses. PROMPT SHIPPING! HEAVILY PADDED, DAMAGE-FREE PACKAGING! #061.10a. PLEASE SEE DESCRIPTIONS AND IMAGES BELOW FOR DETAILED REVIEWS AND FOR PAGES OF PICTURES FROM INSIDE OF BOOK. PLEASE SEE PUBLISHER, PROFESSIONAL, AND READER REVIEWS BELOW. PUBLISHER REVIEWS: REVIEW: In his Preface, Bulfinch firmly sets his work within the emerging American genre of self-improvement: Other kinds of knowledge may “enlarge our possessions or . . . raise our station in society,” and there are, of course, books that will tell us how to get rich quickly and how to behave when we have amassed our pile. But, perhaps because he had seen how fortunes may disappear overnight, never to be recovered, Bulfinch puts his faith in the kind of knowledge that can make us “happier and better.” This knowledge is the knowledge of literature, but we cannot understand the literature of our time without first understanding the mythology that literature so often alludes to. How is this knowledge to be attained? Bulfinch is very certain about his audience. It does not consist of members of his own class, the privileged few who have had the benefits of a classical education and would have acquired such knowledge already or at least have the leisure and the means to acquire it. His audience has never gone with Homer to Troy; the Trojan War is new to them; and they want to know how the story comes out in the end: “Our readers will be anxious to know the fate of Helen, the fair but guilty occasion of so much slaughter.” As Bulfinch must have known, Helen is the creation of the poets who wrote about her, and different poets provided her with different fates. Americans love happy endings, so Bulfinch sees her reconciled at last with the husband she abandoned. Bulfinch’s audience consists of those with whom he had come in contact during his long and unsuccessful career as a merchant, the self-made men and their wives, who do not want to have to choke down “only the dry facts without any of the charm of the original narrative.” They want the poetry, too, and they don’t have a whole lot of time to spend on getting it. They want to be sure that this knowledge may be let into the parlors of their homes without creating any sort of offense “to pure taste and good morals.” Here a word must be said about Bulfinch’s prudery: His subservience to his society’s desire to pass over these offenses in silence resulted in a number of significant omissions. It is hard to see how it could be otherwise: The proper Bostonian of Bulfinch’s day, referring to a bull as Mr. Cow, would scarcely have known what to make of Queen Phaedra’s passion for the prize bull in her husband’s herd. Bulfinch’s readers also want the assurance that this knowledge, so different from their daily experience, is worth having: “To devote study to a species of learning which relates wholly to false marvels and obsolete faiths is not to be expected of the general reader in a practical age like this. The time even of the young is claimed by so many sciences of facts and things that little can be set for spare treatises on a science of mere fancy.” It is not only the time but the energy as well. Bulfinch can sympathize with the tired businessman at the end of his long day in the office: “Thus we hope to teach mythology not as a study, but as a relaxation from study.” This knowledge, easily acquired and promoting not only happiness but virtue as well, will allow the less privileged members of a restlessly mobile society access to the kind of lore that is the patrimony of the privileged. It is not, Bulfinch states explicitly, “for the learned, nor for the theologian, nor for the philosopher, but for the reader of English literature, of either sex, who wishes to comprehend the allusions so frequently made by public speakers, lecturers, essayists, and poets, and those which occur in polite conversation.” It is a little bit easier than it ought to be to mock Bulfinch’s tone here, but we would be seriously underestimating Bulfinch if we were to regard him as an elitist: His sentiments are as unabashed in their democratic impulse as those of Walt Whitman, in his preface to Leaves of Grass. Bulfinch wishes everyone to have access to the cultural tokens heretofore the possession of the few. REVIEW: The justly famous Mythology by Thomas Bulfinch contains three volumes the major contents of which are retained in this abridgment for the student and general reader. The Age Of Fable -- The gods and goddesses of Greece and Rome, as well as the mythology of the Germanic tribes, England and the Near East. The Legend Of Charlemange -- Accounts of the reign of the first great French Emperor, his wars and conquests. The Age Of Chivalry -- King Arthur and his court, Lancelot and Guenever, and the death of Arthur. REVIEW: Can’t keep all your gods and goddesses straight? Wondering about mythological references in classic literature? Bulfinch’s Mythology offers approachable accounts of ancient legends in a compilation of the works of Thomas Bulfinch, banker and Latinist. This volume includes all three of Bulfinch’s original titles: The Age of Fable, The Age of Chivalry, and The Legends of Charlemagne. Bulfinch states his purpose for the book clearly: “Our work is not for the learned, nor for the theologian, nor for the philosopher, but for the reader of English literature . . . who wishes to comprehend the allusions so frequently made by public speakers, lecturers, essayists, and poets, and those which occur in polite conversation.” This compilation was widely used as the authoritative text on mythology in schools for over a century. REVIEW: One of the leading popularizers of classical learning in the nineteenth century, Thomas Bulfinch made the myths and legends of the ancient and medieval world available to audiences through his three decisive works, The Age of Fable, The Age of Chivalry, and Legends of Charlemagne, collectively published and widely known as Bulfinchs Mythology. REVIEW: Thomas Bulfinch (1796-1867) was the son of Charles Bulfinch, the architect of the Capitol building in Washington, DC. Thomas Bulfinch is considered to be an American historian and reteller of myths and legends even though he worked on his book during intervals in his banking career. His works - "The Age of Fables" (1855), "The Age of Chivalry" (1858), and "The Legends of Charlemagne" (1863) - are normally termed "Bulfinch's Mythology". These works were very popular when first published and remain so today. PROFESSIONAL REVIEWS: REVIEW: For almost a century and a half, Bulfinch's Mythology has been the text by which the great tales of the gods and goddesses, Greek and Roman antiquity; Scandinavian, Celtic, and Oriental fables and myths; and the age of chivalry have been known. The stories are divided into three sections: The Age of Fable or Stories of Gods and Heroes (first published in 1855); The Age of Chivalry (1858), which contains King Arthur and His Knights, The Mabinogeon, and The Knights of English History; and Legends of Charlemagne or Romance of the Middle Ages (1863). For the Greek myths, Bulfinch drew on Ovid and Virgil, and for the sagas of the north, from Mallet's Northern Antiquities. He provides lively versions of the myths of Zeus and Hera, Venus and Adonis, Daphne and Apollo, and their cohorts on Mount Olympus; the love story of Pygmalion and Galatea; the legends of the Trojan War and the epic wanderings of Ulysses and Aeneas; the joys of Valhalla and the furies of Thor; and the tales of Beowulf and Robin Hood. The tales are eminently readable. As Bulfinch wrote, "Without a knowledge of mythology much of the elegant literature of our own language cannot be understood and appreciated. . . . Our book is an attempt to solve this problem, by telling the stories of mythology in such a manner as to make them a source of amusement." Thomas Bulfinch, in his day job, was a clerk in the Merchant's Bank of Boston, an undemanding position that afforded him ample leisure time in which to pursue his other interests. In addition to serving as secretary of the Boston Society of Natural History, he thoroughly researched the myths and legends and copiously cross-referenced them with literature and art. As such, the myths are an indispensable guide to the cultural values of the nineteenth century; however, it is the vigor of the stories themselves that returns generation after generation to Bulfinch. REVIEW: “Bulfinch's Mythology” is the classic introduction to ancient and medieval myths. In three volume's, Thomas Bulfinch recounted and referenced classical stories of Graeco-Roman gods and heroes, Homer's Iliad and Odyssey, Norse and Hindu mythology, the Arthurian legends, Robin Hood, the Mabinogeon, and the tales of Charlemagne and his paladins. All three volumes are combined here in a single book. Besides making great reading on their own, these tales, and the values and ideals that they illustrate, are at the very heart of western literature and culture. Shakespeare, Milton, and most of the other icons of English literature drew on them repeatedly. The modern fantasy genre has its origins in this material. Tolkien was inspired by it. They are "must" reading for anyone who aspires to be considered "educated". REVIEW: Why does Hamilton Have the Hold on the Mythology Market? It's astonishing that Edith Hamilton's "Mythology" outsells this book on a regular basis. I think most educators just look at the publication date. Since Hamilton's book was published in the 1940s and Bullfinch published in the 1800s, they think Hamilton's book must be much easier to read: not so. While Hamilton's "Mythology" is confusing, redundant, and just plain inadequate in spots, Bullfinch's "Mythology" provides clear and often exciting renditions of the much-loved myths. While Hamilton summarizes, Bullfinch is an excellent storyteller, who pulls you into the story in the same way that the original authors did. Even though Hamilton wrote sixty years or so after Bullfinch, her diction is much more confusing than his. For educational purposes, I heartily suggest giving Bullfinch's "Mythology" a try. REVIEW: Even after several readings, this old classic never loses its luster. Why not invest a tawdry amount and append a great anthology to your library? From the Greek and Roman gods to King Author to Charlemagne, this has got it all! If you own only one book on the subject of mythology, this should be the one. REVIEW: Bulfinch’s Mythology, first published in 1855, is one of the most popular collections of mythology of all time. It consists of three volumes: The Age of Fable, The Age of Chivalry, and Legends of Charlemagne. This is a recording of the tenth edition of the first volume, The Age of Fable. It contains many Greek and Roman myths, including simplified versions of The Iliad and The Odyssey, as well as a selection of Norse and “eastern” myths. Thomas Bulfinch’s goal was to make the ancient myths accessible to a wide audience, and so it is suitable for children READER REVIEWS: REVIEW: This book is an excellent mythology reader. The first section is devoted to the stories of gods and heroes. The majority of the stories is from Greco-Roman mythology and includes such classics as Apollo and Daphne, Pygmalion, The Golden Fleece, Midas, The Sibyl, and much more. This part also devotes four chapters to Eastern Mythology (Hindu myths, Zoroastor, etc.), Norse mythology (Thor, etc.) and The Druids of Iona. Part two is made up of the popular Arthurian legends and contains many of the most famous stories such as Tristam and Isoude, the quest for the Holy Grail, and the Death of Arthur. Much of this section is rendered in verse. This part also has the Mambinogeon and other myths of the British race (e.g. Beowulf and Robin Hood). The final section (my personal favorite) includes the legends of Charlemagne, or more specifically those of his paladins. This is where one can find stories of Orlando, Rinaldo, and Ogier the Dane. These stories are not as famous as the Arthurian legends, but are just as exciting. There is a very helpful dictionary of names and terms and a few maps and illustrations. Also, the English is fairly easy to read and shouldn't be difficult for the average person. REVIEW: Naturally Greek and Roman mythology is not preached today and, because of this, there are many different versions to nearly all the myths you have ever heard and read. Bulfinch includes the most popular versions and tells it in a way that is very entertaining. That being said, Bulfinch didn't actually write the majority of the book; he copies scenes, passages, and, sometimes, even entire stories from Ovid's "Metamorphoses." Furthermore, Bulfinch's approach is affected by the time period (mid 1800s), social norms, and his own personal opinion; he often slides in his own comments which leads the reader to doubt that he's telling the entire story-- and most of the time, he doesn't tell the whole story. He manages to exclude a lot of the sexual activity of the gods (which anyone who knows anything about mythology knows that the gods are always having affairs... ALWAYS) and insinuates that the gods were just spending time with one another. He also leaves out some of the gory details which are imperative in most stories; he glides over important scenes and repeatedly spends time explaining unimportant scenes instead. Nevertheless, it's a good read if you're looking for an introductory book about Roman and Greek mythology but keep in mind that these stories have many plot variations, just because it's in this book doesn't mean it's a fact. Once you've read this, I encourage you to read Ovid's "Metamorphoses;" Ovid is relaxed and comedic-some of his stories are told more for the entertaining factor than correctness, but it's still a very good, enjoyable read. REVIEW: Thomas Bulfinch taught at Harvard College in the mid-1800s. He saw a need to collect myths and legends of the classical and later world, as these were important parts of the Western culture. Three books ensued: "The Age of Fable," "The Age of Chivalry," and "Legends of Charlemagne." First, there are nice introductions to each of the three component works. These provide useful context for what follows. "The Age of Fable" includes some well known episodes, such as Prometheus and Pandora, Midas, Monsters (e.g., Giants, Sphinx, Griffin), the Golden Fleece, adventures of Hercules, and so on. "The Age of Chivalry" focuses upon the legends of King Arthur. Here, we see segments on Sir Gawain, Lancelot of the Lake, Tristram and Isoude, Perceval, and the death of King Arthur. The final work addresses legends of Charlemagne. The tale of "The Battle of Roncesvalles" and the heroism of Orlando is well told. All in all, a nice version of this collection of works by Bulfinch. REVIEW: It is an anthology of mythology I often use simply to look up the major myths, because it's easy to find things in Bulfinch. If I knew of a modern alternative which filled the same role as well, I might rank Bulfinch a 3. It's a fairly good reference for Greek, Roman and Arthurian legends. He pretty much paraphrases e.g. Virgil's Aeneid and Ovid's Metamorphosis. He also provides the basic Egyptian and Viking myths. But anything East of the Levant is given very short shrift, probably because at the time this was written, those myths were not so available in the West. There's no question he loved these stories, but I can't say I'm left with the feeling that he has been truly struck by the Myth, that the Myth has truly destabilized him the way it has Frazer, Jung or Joseph Campbell. And no doubt this collection would not have been published at all at that time were he not willing to leave out significant facts that the book might be readable by well-bred ladies. Any castrations are left out or (worse) revised. Cronos was deposed. Theseus slays the Minotaur, but the part about how the Minotaur came to be in the first place is omitted. Attis comes across as a romantic story. You find neither the factual story behind it as laid out by Herodotus nor any intimation about the nature of the fantastical cult which arose around it as described in Frazer. At the same time, although most major bookstores now have whole sections devoted to mythology, and hundreds of anthologies have come out, I've never quite found anything that takes the place of Bulfinch, and so I keep it on my shelf. REVIEW: BULFINCH'S MYTHOLOGY is THE classic introduction to ancient and medieval myths. In three volume's, Thomas Bulfinch recounted and referenced classical stories of Graeco-Roman gods and heroes, Homer's Iliad and Odyssey, Norse and Hindu mythology, the Arthurian legends, Robin Hood, the Mabinogeon, and the tales of Chalemagne and his paladins. All three volumes are combined here in a single book. Besides making great reading on their own, these tales, and the values and ideals that they illustrate, are at the very heart of western literature and culture. Shakespeare, Milton, and most of the other icons of English literature drew on them repeatedly. The modern fantasy genre has its origins in this material. Tolkien was inspired by it. They are "must" reading for anyone who aspires to be considered "educated". Bulfinch is still the classic introduction and source for mythological tales. Plus, as I said, it's great fun. Most people can profit from Bulfinch. Fantasy fans should especially love it. REVIEW: This book is an excellent mythology reader. The first section is devoted to the stories of gods and heroes. The majority of the stories is from Greco-Roman mythology and includes such classics as Apollo and Daphne, Pygmalion, The Golden Fleece, Midas, The Sibyl, and much more. This part also devotes four chapters to Eastern Mythology (Hindu myths, Zoroastor, etc.), Norse mythology (Thor, etc.) and The Druids of Iona. Part two is made up of the popular Arthurian legends and contains many of the most famous stories such as Tristam and Isoude, the quest for the Holy Grail, and the Death of Arthur. Much of this section is rendered in verse. This part also has the Mambinogeon and other myths of the British race (e.g. Beowulf and Robin Hood). The final section (my personal favorite) includes the legends of Charlemagne, or more specifically those of his paladins. This is where one can find stories of Orlando, Rinaldo, and Ogier the Dane. These stories are not as famous as the Arthurian legends, but are just as exciting. There is a very helpful dictionary of names and terms and a few maps and illustrations. Also, the English is fairly easy to read and shouldn't be difficult for the average person. This book is not complete; many of the stories are obviously abridged. It would be nice if it included annotations or a bibliography for those wanting to read more in depth. However, the introduction includes a very basic history of the stories, which should help the more enterprising reader find the unabridged editions. Still, Bulfinch's Mythology is one of the best and least expensive ways become acquainted with these classic stories. I highly recommend it! REVIEW: So many people are like me...they read and studied mythology in school, then rapidly forgot much of what they learned. Some knowledge of mythology, however, is necessary if one wants to undertand and appreciate great literature. So many great authors draw upon mythology in their work. One (and only one) example is Milton; so many people who say they don't understand "Paradise Lost" are simply missing allusions to the mythology contained instead. I'm not a classicist, a theologian or a philosopher. I'm not an expert in ancient Greek or Latin. What I am is a lover of great literature and it pains me when I come upon a mythological reference I don't recognize or remember. I tried using a classical dictionary, but found this created one problem while failing to solve another. The problem is that it is annoying to interrupt the flow of one's reading to look up an allusion in a dictionary. I'd almost rather skip the reading than do that. And, even after looking up an allusion, at least in a dictionary, we usually still don't understand the poetry and the full meaning of the myth. "Bulfinch's Mythology" solves this problem. With this book, anyone can learn about the gods and goddesses of Greek and Roman antiquity, of Scandinavian, Celtic and Oriental fable and of the Age of Chivalry, in a readable and entertaining manner. With "Bulfinch's Mythology," we certainly won't learn as much as a scholar, but we will learn enough to enjoy and appreciate the references to mythology we encounter in literature, painting, sculpture and music. The stories in "Bulfinch's Mythology" are divided into three sections: The Age of Fable, The Age of Chivalry and The Legends of Charlemagne. The classical myths and legends have been derived from Ovid and Virgil. Although the stories are told in prose, they retain all the poetry of the original. The second section, the myths and sagas of the north, were drawn from Mallet's "Northern Antiquities." Bulfinch has gone one step further than to simply present myth in an enjoyable and readable manner. He has included many poetic citations to help us better remember the myth in question and to see exactly how myth is incorporated into literature. I love perusing this book. "Bulfinch's Mythology" has reintroduced me to the stories of Zeus and Hera, Venus and Adonis, Daphne and Apollo, Pygmalion and Galatea and many, many more. If you want to learn more about myth, but don't want to make a comprehensive study of mythology, "Bulfinch's Mythology" may be the perfect book for you just as it is for me. REVIEW: Bulfinch does a great job of retelling the classic Greek/Roman myths of antiquity as well as the myths of Old Europe including, among others, Arthur, Charlemange, Orlando, and Thor. One part that stands out is the Mabinogeon which (and this is noted on page 561 of the Modern Library edition) has a Thousand and One Nights fell to it. One part that appeared to not fit into the book at all was Chapter 37 of The Age of Fable, which hastily describes a portion of Eastern Mythology. Although this section has no true faults with the information, one gets the sense that Bulfinch quickly threw the myths together and since he didn't have room for them anywhere else he put them in this chapter. Although it does not take away from the quality of the book it might have been better had Bulfinch chosen either to elaborate slightly on the myths or to not include them altogether. However, for an introduction to classical mythology for the reader who is having trouble understanding Byron or Milton or Shakespeare or a hundred other classical European and American writers this book is a godsend. Bulfinch tailored this book to just this kind of reader. At times it may seem a bit dry, but Bulfinch intended his work to be used as a reference mainly (which is why he included a great index in the back of The Age of Fable). For those readers who are interested in mythology as an end unto itself, I recommend this work as your main road map through this sometimes confusing trail. Robert Graves and Edith Hamilton's works are good also but in my opinion Bulfinch outdoes both of them. From here you will definitely want to look at the Madrus and Mathers 4 vol. edition of the Thousand Nights and One Night (that is the full title) if you liked the Eastern feel that you get in Chapter 37 in the Age of Fable and the Mabinogeon. If you are interested in the Greek and Roman myths mainly go straight to the horses mouth and read Ovid, Homer, and Virgil. For more European mythology, Malory's Le Morte D'Arthur is indispensable. I recommend Penguin's two volume edition but with some hesitation, as the annotation is a bit strange, making you flip back and forth between the front of the book and the back of the book. However, Penguin prints out almost every major mythological story, ranging from the Medieval French Romances to the Icelandic Sagas. As stated before, let Bulfinch lead you through this mass of myths, he knows what he's doing. REVIEW: Here's a book to add to your Cultural Mythology book collection. A wonderful resource full of entertaining stories about the Gods, Demigods and Demons of mythology! The tales are eminently readable. As Bulfinch wrote, "Without a knowledge of mythology much of the elegant literature of our own language cannot be understood and appreciated. . . . Our book is an attempt to solve this problem, by telling the stories of mythology in such a manner as to make them a source of amusement." Stories included are: Prometheus and Pandora, Apollo and Daphne, Juno and Her Rivals, Phaeton, Midas, Proserpine, Pygamalion, Ceyx and Halcyone, Vertumnus and Pomona, Cupid and Psyche, Cadmus, Nisus and Scylla, Minerva, The Graeae and Gorgons, Monsters, Jason and the Golden Fleece, Meleager and Atalanta, Hercules, Theseus, Bacchus and Ariadne, Rural Deities, Achelous and Hercules, Orpheus and Eurydice, Arion, Endymion and much, much more! REVIEW: This is one of the most incredible books that anyone could ever own. Whether it be for a child, middle-school student, or adult, it has the ability to enhance imagination and inspire creative genius. It is a true shame that these stories aren't as well appreciated as they were in times such as the Elizabethan and Victorian ages. These stories have inspired poets, playwrights, novelists, and the non-literati as well. There is no possibility of considering oneself as a true intellectual without first understanding these legendary tales. Don't sell yourself short of owning this book. A must buy!!! REVIEW: This amazingly illustrated book(s) is so enjoyable. The read is quite fun and the pictures make it look spectacular. It keeps you interested at every point, with the amazing stories of ancient mythologies. The Age of Fable is the best on information for world mythologies, though mainly that of Greece and Rome. Still there are stories I have never read before of the all-powerful gods of these old religions. There are three volumes altogether, and they are all very fun to read and the pictures help you imagine what things might have looked like. REVIEW: I found Bulfinch's in our school library when I was in the 4th grade, eleven years old. My mother had to go before the school board to gain permission for me to check it out. Even then, I was not allowed to have the book at school! The pictures and stories, in the board's mind, were too titillating for the other 4th graders. Thank God for my mother. I found a world I never knew existed, full of fantasy and beauty. The strife and conniving natures of both gods and mortals captivated me. The stories of the Greek and Roman myths were my favorites, and cultivated in me a love for both cultures. And as for the titillating parts, well, I promise you that General Hospital is far worse for 4th graders than Bulfinch's will ever be. REVIEW: This book does cover the well-known myths of several different cultures, and it does well on that, but no book can cover every myth of every time period, and in the end I suppose that's what everyone wants. For the most part if you're looking for Greek or Celtic myths this is a book you have to have, any other society's myths and you'd probably be better off with a different, more concentrated book, not something with such a wide-spread focus. Overall a wonderful book, completely worth it's cost. REVIEW: This is a reference work that belongs in every home, especially if you have kids. The width & breadth of stories contained here will astound even those who think they are well-versed in mythology. Everything from the Greek & Roman gods to King Arthur is included in this book, along w/lesser known stories that are just as interesting in their own right. While it may be too sophisticated for elementary readers, it is just right for 11-13 year old kids to jump into to supplement their Harry Potter or Star Wars passions. Even curious adults will find something they didn't know before. Makes a great gift for all ages!! REVIEW: I find this a very well presented volume, a pleasure to read, and with more thoughtful organization than other offerings. The pictures augment the text beautifully, and are totally in keeping with the early 19th century origins of this book. This is not a serious scholarly work, but an entertaining read devised to introduce the general reader to the many myths and legends pervading classical literature. Thus, it is both a reference and a "good read". REVIEW: I bought this book so that I could understand the symbology in my Kabbalah studies. I ended up reading the whole book front to back because the stories are so interesting. I also learned the symbolism I was wanting and much more. I used this book to help me with The Shining Paths. REVIEW: Bulfinch's Mythology is, simply put, the best. I cannot think of another book I simply enjoyed reading more. It deals with classical myth, the tales of Charlemagne and Arthur, some Celtic myths... it is an invaluable companion to someone who is studying cultural history, or just as an eminently readable book. It serves as an admirable companion to Frazer's "The Golden Bough", giving some context to much of his writing. REVIEW: his book is probably the best written and most complete compendium of mythology, particularly Western mythologies, ever composed. I enjoyed being read to from it as a child, and I am very glad to have it on my Kindle. REVIEW: Classic book, finally got around to reading it. Everyone from Gary Gygax on has given a nod to this work as foundational for fantasy worlds of the 20th Century, and it's easy to see why. I must admit I skipped over quite a bit of the literary examples he gives - there is such a thing as being too erudite, after all - but the stories as he puts them out is very entertaining and enlightening. Attention those of you with sensibilities towards political incorrectness, this work is dated, although not nearly as offensive as many of the contemporary works. REVIEW: As a young girl, I was enthralled by the stories I read of the Geek and Roman Gods. I loved the connection to astronomy, to the earth sciences and to history. When I was an adult I lived in Greece and was so moved by a sense of timelessness when I could take the opportunity to visit the ruins, the sites of the many, many stories I had read. The Peloponnesus, particularly, embodies the mood of these stories like nowhere else on earth...mysterious and magic, filled with possibility and a hint of danger. The stories are not embellished so much as today's writing is...simply stories handed down over generations providing an amazing world in which my imagination could grow. I find I love the stories even more now, because I know so much of how history is entwined in the magic. REVIEW: To get started with mythology, I bought this. Reading this one is akin to reading a novel, good storytelling, especially considering when it was written. Other books on mythology read like a research paper, lifeless and dry. When reading classics Bullfinch is now my go-to book for reference to the classical deities. It is easier to follow and easier to find things. If you are going to buy just one book on mythology, this would be the one I would recommend. REVIEW: This is actually my second copy of this book because I wore the first copy out reading it so many times. I just love Greek mythology and this is the perfect book for readers of all ages! REVIEW: I liked this book better than "The Masks of God." It is more entertaining and I didn't feel as compelled to skip pages and/or paragraphs just to make the reading go by faster. The stories go by nicely and they're easy to read just before bed. As far as reference books go, you won't be disappointed with this one. REVIEW: I can't believe it took me this long to read this book! I grew up loving mythology, and this volume organizes and collects myths in easy to read, vivid short stories. It is somewhat sanitized so as to be appropriate for the younger reader, without sacrificing the powerful imagery and messages of the myths of old. This book is mostly Greek/Roman mythology, but there are also sections devoted to Egyptian, Zoroaster, Hindu, Buddhist, Norse and other fables. This is a volume I will gladly keep for reference and pleasure reading. REVIEW: It is a great collection of myths from different regions and time periods. It gives you the background you need for each section of myths, and I love that it places quotes from famous works in the myths the quotes were inspired by. REVIEW: This is a classic piece that was written over 100 years ago. The telling of the classic Greek and Roman myths is clear and easy to understand. I have been reading the myths to my grandsons (ages 8 and 9) and they love them. The stories are timeless. REVIEW: I purchased this for my oldest son who is very much into mythologies. He has thoroughly enjoyed the book and suggested I take a look at it. After having read through the introduction I am planning on obtaining a copy for myself. REVIEW: This is a must have for students of literature, poetry or the English language in general. You would be surprised how many allusions you may have missed before being familiar with the mythology cataloged in this volume. REVIEW: I should have purchased this book 40 years ago. Easy to read. Great stories and explanations. A joy to read in comfort. My Shakespeare and Coleridge is more fun to read because I know more about the genre. REVIEW: This a timeless classic that everyone should read. Besides just plain entertaining, it will clear up a lot of historical questions for you. "Books are the television of your mind." Etonure Wilson. REVIEW: One of the best mythology books every written. Definitely worth a read if you're a fan of mythology/anthropology. REVIEW: Myths and fables offer insight into the human psyche (please excuse the pun). These stories resonate as richly now as they did with our ancestors. REVIEW: This book covers the stories of 'the Gods' in such an intelligent and fun way. I have read it to my kids, and later, to my grandchildren. Makes for a good time for all, including the reader himself! REVIEW: A classic then and a classic now. It will give you great insights into the human psyche and the evolution of our understanding of the question of "WHY" we are here now. REVIEW: I have always been a big fan of Mythology, Bulfinch's interpretation is the easiest to read. Makes me wonder if Freud read a lot of Mythology with all the incest REVIEW: I've wanted this book for a long time. It's a comprehensive anthology so you can dip in and out to read stories you remember and new ones. Love it. REVIEW: Fun read for those who enjoy history and fable. Rambling and surprising insight to the stories in the book. Enjoyable. REVIEW: Great classic and timeless and you can't go wrong with this mythology book. REVIEW: Great classic text: should be part of anyone's library. REVIEW: Terrific collection of fables and myths. REVIEW: A clear retelling of the old myths for those who have no issues with an older style of language. REVIEW: I read this book when I was a child. It is still as interesting and informative to me as an adult. REVIEW: This is the best general reference source for the stories of classical mythology. REVIEW: Awesome book! Very detailed and covered a lot: REVIEW: Five Stars!!! Great edition of classical mythology. REVIEW: A fascinating classic. Each new tale energizes the mind. REVIEW: This book brings back memories of the mythology I learned as a child. REVIEW: This is a convenient edition of a classic of mythology. It's a useful reference volume for most collections. I always ship books Media Mail in a padded mailer. This book is shipped FOR FREE via USPS INSURED media mail (“book rate”). All domestic shipments and most international shipments will include free USPS Delivery Confirmation (you might be able to update the status of your shipment on-line at the USPS Web Site) and free insurance coverage. A small percentage of international shipments may require an additional fee for tracking and/or delivery confirmation. If you are concerned about a little wear and tear to the book in transit, I would suggest a boxed shipment - it is an extra $1.00. Whether via padded mailer or box, we will give discounts for multiple purchases. International orders are welcome, but shipping costs are substantially higher. Most international orders cost an additional $12.99 to $33.99 for an insured shipment in a heavily padded mailer, and typically includes some form of rudimentary tracking and/or delivery confirmation (though for some countries, this is only available at additional cost). There is also a discount program which can cut postage costs by 50% to 75% if you’re buying about half-a-dozen books or more (5 kilos+). Rates and available services vary a bit from country to country. You can email or message me for a shipping cost quote, but I assure you they are as reasonable as USPS rates allow, and if it turns out the rate is too high for your pocketbook, we will cancel the sale at your request. ADDITIONAL PURCHASES do receive a VERY LARGE discount, typically about $5 per book (for each additional book after the first) so as to reward you for the economies of combined shipping/insurance costs. Your purchase will ordinarily be shipped within 48 hours of payment. We package as well as anyone in the business, with lots of protective padding and containers. All of our shipments are sent via insured mail so as to comply with PayPal requirements. We do NOT recommend uninsured shipments, and expressly disclaim any responsibility for the loss of an uninsured shipment. Unfortunately the contents of parcels are easily “lost” or misdelivered by postal employees – even in the USA. That’s why all of our domestic shipments (and most international) shipments include a USPS delivery confirmation tag; or are trackable or traceable, and all shipments (international and domestic) are insured. We do offer U.S. Postal Service Priority Mail, Registered Mail, and Express Mail for both international and domestic shipments, as well United Parcel Service (UPS) and Federal Express (Fed-Ex). Please ask for a rate quotation. We will accept whatever payment method you are most comfortable with. If upon receipt of the item you are disappointed for any reason whatever, I offer a no questions asked return policy. Send it back, I will give you a complete refund of the purchase price (less our original shipping costs). Most of the items I offer come from the collection of a family friend who was active in the field of Archaeology for over forty years. However many of the items also come from purchases I make in Eastern Europe, India, and from the Levant (Eastern Mediterranean/Near East) from various institutions and dealers. Though I have always had an interest in archaeology, my own academic background was in sociology and cultural anthropology. After my retirement however, I found myself drawn to archaeology as well. Aside from my own personal collection, I have made extensive and frequent additions of my own via purchases on Ebay (of course), as well as many purchases from both dealers and institutions throughout the world - but especially in the Near East and in Eastern Europe. I spend over half of my year out of the United States, and have spent much of my life either in India or Eastern Europe. In fact much of what we generate on Yahoo, Amazon and Ebay goes to support The Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg, as well as some other worthy institutions in Europe connected with Anthropology and Archaeology. I acquire some small but interesting collections overseas from time-to-time, and have as well some duplicate items within my own collection which I occasionally decide to part with. Though I have a collection of ancient coins numbering in the tens of thousands, my primary interest is in ancient jewelry. My wife also is an active participant in the "business" of antique and ancient jewelry, and is from Russia. I would be happy to provide you with a certificate/guarantee of authenticity for any item you purchase from me. There is a $2 fee for mailing under separate cover. Whenever I am overseas I have made arrangements for purchases to be shipped out via domestic mail. If I am in the field, you may have to wait for a week or two for a COA to arrive via international air mail. But you can be sure your purchase will arrive properly packaged and promptly - even if I am absent. And when I am in a remote field location with merely a notebook computer, at times I am not able to access my email for a day or two, so be patient, I will always respond to every email. Please see our "ADDITIONAL TERMS OF SALE." TRANSLATE Arabic Chinese French German Greek Indonesian Italian Hindi Japanese Korean Swedish Portuguese Russian Spanish

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Location: Lummi Island, Washington

End Time: 2024-12-24T22:42:07.000Z

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