A swift and
entertaining read, Greek Myths is a
collection of seven most famous myths from the land of Greece. These include
the tales of heroes like Herakles, Odysseus and Jason, epic wars like the Trojan War fought for beautiful Helen, and the tragedy of Oedipus. The stories are told with all the necessary details in a simple and effective manner that captivates the reader and rouses a genuine interest in Greek mythology. It begins with an introduction that explains the Greek pantheon and the family tree of the Greek Gods. The first story deals with the legend of Herakles and his twelve tasks that assured him immortality. The story of Theseus follows. His story is once again of epic bravery, as he slays Minotaur, a bull headed monster on the island of Minos. Next is the world famous story of the Trojan War, and its hero Achilles. It recounts the story of the fall of Troy at the hands of the Greek army. Then comes the story of Odysseus and his faithful wife, Penelope. It narrates the various adversities he faces as he voyages for 20 years before he returns to his home, Ithaca, to reunite with his waiting wife and son. Jason’s adventures follow that of Odysseus. A short story, it describes his efforts at obtaining the Golden Fleece, and his love story with Medea. We next read a story about Perseus, a courageous hero who slays the terrifying gorgon Medusa. Last but not the least, is the tale of the renowned Oedipus, who is fated to kill his own father and marry his mother. The book concludes with a chapter on the influence of Greek mythology on recent times and philosophies, and suggestions for further reading.