The Legend of Odysseus (Rebuilding the Past) - Hardcover

Connolly, Peter

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0199170657 ISBN 13: 9780199170654

Publisher: Oxford University Press, 1988

Synopsis

The adventures of Greek classical literature's greatest heroes are vividly described in this superb retelling of stories from Homer. The narrative opens with Odysseus hunting wild boar on Ithaca, and continues with his exploits in the Trojan War, and the perils of his fantastic voyage home.
Stunningly illustrated, the story is interspersed with a wealth of historical information about the world in which it is supposed the Trojan Wars took place. There are maps, photographs, and detailed reconstructions of places and buildings in the text, such as Old Nestor's palace at Pylos, and of course the city of Troy itself. Also presented is a wealth of archaeological evidence of the everyday life of the period: costume, domestic practices, religious rites, shipbuilding and armour-making.

About this title

From School Library Journal

Grade 5 Up Remaining faithful to the stories set down by Homer, Connolly takes readers through the life and adventures of Odysseus in straight narrative prose. While the major exploits of such heroes as Achilles are told with relish, they are seen from a viewpoint which holds Odysseus central throughout. The text is accessible to curious ten year olds while remaining interesting enough for older readers. The chapters, illustrated with paintings that Connolly says are based on the most current information available on dress, armor, and weapon styles, are interspersed with inviting factual sections. Here, short informational paragraphs are balanced with maps, photographs, Mycenaean-era sculpture and paintings, palace reconstructions, numerous artifacts, and more. With these as evidence, Connolly attempts to answer questions about the type of helmets the Greek soldiers wore; where Scylla and Charybdis were; and if there really was a Trojan War. This book should prove quite satisfactory to history and mythology buffs. Sally T. Margolis, The Newport Schools, Kensington, Md.
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Publishers Weekly

Hector's gory end at Achilles' hands, bloody battle scenes, bare-breasted goddesses: readers will find in the paintings of this illustrated work an era they have heard of but may not understandthe days when the Greek gods walked the earth. The battle of Troy is at the forefront of this legend, of course, and Connolly crams in historical data (including maps, drawings of battle scenes and sites, photos or illustrations of genuine artifacts of battle) as well as mythology and speculation, resulting in a well-rounded attempt to explain the lives of men and women of the ancient cities. Whether to pique the interest of readers who have not yet heard of Odysseus, The Iliad or Homer, or to appease those who may have read watered-down versions, this robust work is richly gratifying for one and all. Ages 12-up.
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About this edition

• Publisher: Oxford University Press
• Publication date: 1988
• ISBN 10: 0199170657
• ISBN 13: 9780199170654
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 80