This is a collection of 17 epics each of which is condensed into its simplest form making them accessible to readers who do not have enough time or resources (or have difficulty reading some of the translations)reading or finding the epics. Each epic is introduced by providing the background of the author and the story and why it is included in this volume. The following is the list of the epics included:
THE RAMÂYÂNA
THE MAHÂ-BHÂRATA of Krishna Dwaipayana Vyasa
THE ILIAD of Homer
THE ODYSSEY of Homer
THE KALEVALA, collected by Zacharias Topelius and Elias Lonnrot
THE AENEID by Vergil
BEOWULF
THE NIBELUNGEN LIED
THE SONG OF ROLAND
THE SHAH-NAMEH of Firdusi
THE POEM OF THE CID
THE DIVINE COMEDY of Dante Alighieri
THE ORLANDO FURIOSO of Ludovico Ariosto
THE LUSIAD of Luis de Camoens
THE JERUSALEM DELIVERED of Torquato Tasso
PARADISE LOST of John Milton
PARADISE REGAINED of John Milton
The epics are contracted and the author left only the narration of the events. The author did a good job with this. Although shortened, I enjoyed reading all of the stories. It was almost like reading the full-length versions. However, I'd still recommend the full versions if the reader finds anything interesting here. This serves as a good introduction to the epics and is also a great substitute to the translated versions that others might find too tedious too read (I recommend this to non-native English speakers having difficulty reading Old English).
The author also provides selections from each epic. The reader will be able to read a slice of the longer version of some of the chapters or episodes.
Rating: 10 out of 10
