Mythology (Cliffs Notes)

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Summary: A comprehensive look at much more than Classical Mythology
Review: Do not be fooled by the face on the cover of Zeus (a.k.a. Jupiter), because James Weigel, Jr. looks at much more than "Classical" (i.e., Greco-Roman) mythology in this Cliffs Notes. Before we ever get to the best-known mythological figures Weigel covers Egyptian Mythology (Principal Gods, the Creation and Osiris), Babylonian Mythology (Major Gods, the Creation, the Flood and Gilgamesh) and Indian Mythology (Main Vedic Gods, Indra and the Dragon, Hindu Gods and Concepts, Bhrigu and the Three Gods, Rama and Sita, and Buddha). Consequently, both the Near East and Far East and adequately covered in this volume. Of course, Greek Mythology ends up receiving the most attention, from the Primordial Deities, Titans and Olympians to the Great Heroes (e.g., Heracles, Jason), the Tragic Dynasties (e.g., House of Atreus), and the Trojan War, along with Brief Summaries of Other Myths (e.g., Midas, Sisyphus). The Roman Mythology section focuses on the few gods the Romans added to the classical pantheon along with Patriotic Legends (Aeneas, Romulus & Remus) and Love Tales (e.g., Pyramus and Thisbe, Pygmalion). Continuing the chronological progression, Weigel then covers Norse Mythology and the Arthurian Legends. Throughout there is the traditional Summary/Commentary breakdown you expect from Cliffs Notes. However, because so much ground is covered you do not get a lot of depth to either, and if there are notes available on specific works (e.g., "Iliad," "Aeneid") you will want to avail yourself of them if that is what you are teaching/reading. But what this volume lacks in depth it more than makes up for with breadth. The volume also includes Bibliographical Essay, Review Questions, Recommended Readings and very useful Genealogical Tables. Hopefully access to this book will inspire getting beyond the Classical Mythology that is usually all students receive in class.

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Summary: This book is incredible!
Review: When I was in 6th grade I did a project on Greek mythology, and the first and only book I looked in was this mythology book. It was so full of information about all the Greek gods (and other kinds of gods too, like Roman, Egyptian, and Indian) that I didn't have any trouble with my project. If you are interested in mythology, this is the book to read, and answer all your questions with.