Bulfinch's Mythology by Thomas Bulfinch

This collection of the majority of European mythology will make the lover of myths cry out for joy. Bulfinch's Mythology includes Greek and Roman myths; Norse; Celtic; Arthurian and British legends (Beowulf, Hereward and Robin Hood); tales of Charlemagne's Paladins; and a few Egyptian and Eastern (Zoroastrian/Persian, Hindu, Buddhist) myths and legends.

The stories are limited however and only the more popular tales are included. It is a general overview of most myths but the focus, as expected, is still on Classical Mythology. The pages dedicated to the Greek and Roman gods take up most of the book, followed by Charlemagne's Peers.

Despite my disappointed to find that I'd be reading stories I'm already familiar with, the book does have its surprises. There is a chapter dedicated to monsters and how myths are formed. Some of the epics are summarized, much to my dismay, but it might be a good introduction for readers who find the longer versions too tedious. Egyptian and eastern myths are scarce as mentioned, but it is in this book that I have read about Charlemagne's Paladins or Peers for the first time.

The book lacks so many things but it is still a must-read for mythology lovers like myself. If you've already read most of the stories here, meeting the gods and goddesses, heroes and monsters all over again is still rewarding. The author provides some analyses as well but it is not the purpose of the book. Overall, the Bulfinch's Mythology is a good but limited introduction of of popular myths and legends.

Rating: 8 out of 10

Evolution of the Dragon by G. Elliot Smith

The book is an exhaustive treatise of the creation and evolution of the concept of the dragon. It is divided into three chapters which discuss  incense and libations, dragons and rain gods, and the birth of Aphrodite. The titles of the chapters might be confusing and irrelevant at first glance but the author did more than just explain the various appearances and characteristics of the dragon. He went so far as to discuss every possible theory of its creation, purpose, and models. He even included topics which are remotely related to minor subjects discussed throughout the book. 

The author has a tendency to extend the discussion of even the minor topics because he considered every theory that was extant during the creation of this book. The title might be misleading and the reader disappointed in the writer's style but his exhaustive method at arriving at his conclusions is praiseworthy. His uses comparison and verification to form his own opinions and does not wholly set aside theories without giving each a careful consideration.

I do not recommend this book for casual readers who do not have patience for the writer's style. This however is a great resource for mythology or folktales students and enthusiasts.

Rating: 8 out of 10

National Epics by Kate Milner Rabb

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