This affordably priced quality paperback edition of familiar tales from Greek mythology is truly a treasure and a wonderful way to enjoy these timeless stories or to introduce them to young people. One of America's greatest writers, Nathaniel Hawthorne wrote these versions of stories about Pandora, Medusa, Hercules, King Midas and the host of gods and goddesses that make up the Greek pantheon. The language is evocative and colorful yet easily understandable. You needn't worry if your high school teacher's assigned reading of "The Scarlet Letter" bored you to tears, as this collection of stories is filled with exciting adventures and vivid characters. I love the beautiful illustrations in this book. They were done by Walter Crane, one of the most popular illustrators of children's books in the late 19th century. The paintings are in the Pre-Raphaelite style in full color. The decorations at the beginning of each chapter are filled with Victorian charm and make this new editon seem like a well-loved antique. There are many excellent anthologies of the Greek myths on the market but rarely will you find one that utilizes such substantial talents as those employed by Hawthorne and Crane or that so thoroughly draw the reader in to the romantic and turbulent world of heroes, maidens and the capricious deities who stir their fates. I highly recommend this book. It is a classic that will enrich the mind and heart of a young reader and open the way for further discovery.

This is a remarkable book, with rich detail in both illustration and prose. Particularly wonderful for reading aloud together, my sons enjoyed this book through several years, and asked for the stories often.

Don Quixote born of a wealthy family and aged in his years falls ill (or not? ) and leaves his home to search his world, his homeland berfore he dies for the things in life that truly mater:love,honor,truth,pure friendship,Men good of their word & Women faithful and priceless. There is but one catch everyone thinks he's insane, and his seeing giants where windmills are doesn't help much. The question of whether it is beter to see the honor and beauty that he sees or the hate and lies that sane men see is the real question for all who know him to answer.

This beautiful book, so affordable in its paperback edition is the unabridged republication of Flora's Feast: A Masque of Flowers, first published in 1889. It contains 40 color illustrations by the English illustrator and painter Walter Crane (1845-1915). Crane was a leading designer of Art Nouveau textiles and wallpaper and his Art Nouveau stylings are seen in these whimsical and romantic illustrations. Children as well as adults will enjoy this beautiful book which opens with Flora, the Goddess of Flowers waking the flowers from their slumber. "The sullen winter nearly spent, Queen Flora to her garden went, To call the flowers from their long sleep, The year's glad festivals to keep." Attired in Greek-styled drapes, sandals, tunics, and gowns the various flowers, beginning with the earliest crocuses and snowdrops, begin a parade across the pages of this book that proceeds through the seasons from summer through autumn and finally back to winter. Each season's favorite flowers are accompanied by quaint poetic descriptions written by Crane and bear the look of familiar blossoms incorporated into their costumes. We are fortunate indeed to have this rare treat available to us once again. Don't miss it.

I think this is a great book that will intrest children for years. It has both the chilhood mystrey and adventure that even us as adult's love to look back on. I hope these storie's will stay remembered in the wonderful way that the Grimm Brothers brought life back into the true wording of this book. Forever cherished.

This is one of the finest collections of comics I've comeacross in a very long time. The drawing, the writing, the humor, thepathos, everything comes together in ways few things ever cometogether...This is the real stuff, folks...

Who hasn't heard of Robin Hood and his merry band of outlaws in Sherwood Forest? In this book you meet them all - including the powerful Little John, courageous Will Scarlet, musical Allan a Dale, and sly Friar Tuck. Roger Lancelyn Green has researched the legends and ballads about Robin Hood, and this collection of Robin Hood tales rivals the authoritative collection by Howard Pyle which has been unequalled for more than 100 years. But Green corrects one notable omission in Pyle: the absence of Maid Marion. In addition to the ample adventures revolving around Maid Marion, all the old favorites are included - Little John and his quarter-staff toppling Robin into the water, Robin winning the golden arrow at Nottingham's archery contest, and the Sheriff being outsmarted in numerous attempts to capture Robin. But these are just the tip of the iceberg - this book is chock-full of entertaining merry adventures.

The medieval setting is portrayed beautifully, including the vast gulf between the upper and lower classes of society, the corruption and greed of the nobility, and the hypocrisy of the medieval Roman Catholic church where religion has degenerated to mere outward rituals. But the medieval setting is not presented without a social commentary - Green shows that the unbalanced social structure inevitably resulted in the oppression of the poor and weak. Robin Hood and his band are clearly Catholics, and they are motivated by a genuine love for God and for the King. It is left to Robin Hood and his men to take justice into their own hands, and fight nobly for the cause of the downtrodden. Such justice is accomplished in a questionable manner, because the notion of robbing the rich to help the poor implicitly endorses civil disobedience. But Green points out that Robin Hood is motivated by justice and not revenge, and acts only because the lawful authority of King Richard has been replaced by an unlawful usurper. The theme of seeking justice and maintaining truth and right is in itself a noble one. With Robin Hood, we find ourselves wanting justice, and being prepared to make unselfish sacrifices in order to achieve it. When justice is done, it is actually the greed and corruption of the nobility that has led to its own destruction and ruin.

But the real attractions of this gem are the enthralling exploits of Robin Hood and his band of merry men. Comparisons with the classic Howard Pyle collection are inevitable. Green's collection of tales is equally well researched and equally comprehensive. Although the absence of Pyle's antiquated language is an improvement, Green's collection is still in the end inferior to Pyle's. Pyle's Sherwood Forest is a rather glamorous utopian world where feasting and song abound, where it is never winter, and where the ale rarely runs dry. Robin Hood clearly represents a form of hedonism, and in his company there is never a lack of action, adventure, or for that matter - ale. Green's Sherwood Forest is ironically less "green" than Pyle's, and lacks the hedonistic feasting and song, and lacks the sense of atmosphere that Pyle so skilfully evoked. Green's action and atmosphere fails to match the excitement and merriment that Robin Hood deserves, and he seems to have taken the "merry" out of Robin Hood and his band of outlaws. In this case the grass really was "Greener" on the Pyle side of the fence.

But that is not to detract from Green's superb effort. If you can't get Howard Pyle's "The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood" or can't endure his antiquated language, then don't look further than this collection by Green. There is no end to the accomplishments of muscles and mind, as Robin and his merry band outwit all comers by sheer physical skill in archery, wrestling, swordmanship, and quarter-staff combat, or by outsmarting them with deceit and disguise. To our delight, Robin's brawn and brains always come out on top at the end. Along with the tales of King Arthur, the tales of Robin Hood are the most exciting tales that British history has produced. Green's collection of Robin Hood's merry adventures is still constantly entertaining and exciting - one that you'll want to own and read over and over!

I read this book when I was a kid, and I can't recommend it highly enough to parents and kids who are looking for classic high adventure. It's timeless, yet provides good role models for boys (Robin Hood was the original cool do-gooder) and for girls, since Roger Greene's Maid Marian is more than a match for Robin with sword and bow and arrow.

I first read this book when I was 8 years old. Again at 10, again at 15, again at 20, and I just bought a new copy for my library from Amazon. There is no film, short of the John Irvin classic with Patrick Bergin and Uma Thurman, that comes close to telling the tale. I've always had an affinity for this novel, and have shared it with many of my friends. Great for children, as well as grown up children. Just plain good reading.

Stephen Crane has written an excellent work in The Red Badge of Courage. This book takes place in a period of two days, giving Crane plenty of room to expand on his themes and go into great detail. This book catches the reader's attention by presenting the Civil War in such great detail that the reader cannot help but picture the scenes in their own mind.

The Red Badge of Courage tells the story of a youthful boy, Henry Flemming, who goes to war. After many rumors of battle cause Henry to doubt his courage when faced with battle, Henry's group finally goes into battle. Henry does not run away during the fighting, and gains confidence. However, the second battle that he sees causes him to flee. The rest of the story tells of How Henry comes to terms with his fear, and eventually returns to the battle line.

The only complaint that any reader could have is that Crane uses almost too much detail. Because there is so much detail, the reader could loose track of the plot. The great detail is, however, what makes this such an outstanding book. Any reader that can get "into" a book will thoroughly enjoy The Red Badge of Courage by Stephen Crane.

The Red Badge of Courage is interepted as many as being an anti-war novel: it is not.What it does do is present the horrors and psychological aspects of war war without glory, but not without heroics and courage.Henry Fleming is in many ways an every-soldier: he joins the army out of patriotism and to prove his manhood; when the time comes to fight he doubts himself and runs away out of fear. It is at this point Henry comes to the crossroads of his young life: instead of completely deserting his unit he returns to his regiment and the battlefield out of a sense of duty and also out of shame and anger at himself. Once he returns he peforms heroically on the battlefield. I feel Crane's purpose in this books is not to make some overblown anti-war treatise like All Quiet on the Western Front, but to portray what he believed( and may soldiers who read the book agreed with him) to be the emotions and feelings of a soldier in war and also the true motivation behind courage and heroism. Crane shows through Henry, that heroism and courage in war is not something that comes naturally to man(or any animal, as shown by the squirrel scene in the forest) or can simply be conjured up out of blind obedience or extreme partiotism. Crane in fact argues the opposite: courage in war(or in and courage in reponse to violence) is something unatural, something that must be accomplished by overcoming our own natural fear and flight instincts.Henry is able to perform herocially because of anger, his sense of duty, his feeling of brotherhood toward his regiment and out of something deep inside himself that even Crane ( and nobody) could not totally understand . This is a great book about heroism, courage , brotherhood, duty and the psychological aspects of war. It is not a books that glorifies war ,nor it is it an anti-war treatise. It simply tells a story about war in a world where war exists.

Peace is a rare circumstance among major nations in the last 150 years. When war pushes peace out, everyone quickly realizes why peace is so important and desirable. When peace returns, the next generation can quickly fail to grasp its significance. In extreme cases, this can lead to romanticism of war.

Books like The Red Badge of Courage and All Quiet on the Western Front are important ways to pass along the message of how undesirable war is.

The Red Badge of Courage offers another benefit. Stephen Crane takes us into the mindset of mid-19th century America. At that time, the spiritual and the tangible were closely entertwined in peoples' minds. You will find a lot of religious metaphors in this book, that a modern writer would be relatively unlikely to use.

Another benefit of reading The Red Badge of Courage is that it helps to understand the profound effect that the Civil War has had on the United States. The significance of these events remains fresh for many Americans, while others ignore the events totally.

Although it is certainly not an easy book to read, it can be a rewarding one. You will find that you can discuss this book with a high percentage of all the people you will ever meet who like to read. That's a pretty nice benefit from reading a fairly short book.

I also recommend that you also think about where in your own life you have developed misconceptions that could harm you.

I strongly urge everyone to follow closely Mr. Ropp teachings and learn to pass judgment on which of your neighbors are and are not Christians. Until came upon this enlightened man I had foolishly been trying to follow the advice of Christ, himself, when he said, "By this shall all men know that you are my disciples, if ye also love one another."

Silly Me.

Harry L. Ropp developed this book out of his Master of Arts thesis from Lincoln Christian Seminary, Lincoln, IL. It was originally published by InterVarsity Press in 1977. Tragically, he died in an airplane crash in 1978 in Utah while working with Mission to Mormons.

This edition of his book is actually the second revision, once by Wesley P. Walters and now by Charles A. Crane, President of Boise Bible College, Boise, ID. The longevity of this little book, of some 130+ pages, in spite of the untimely demise of its author, is a tribute to its value.

Mormonism (Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints)asserts that it has four basic documents: Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, Pearl of Great Price, and The King James Version of the Holy Bible, insofar as it is translated correctly.

Ropp's research concludes that first three of the documents of the LDS religion are unreliable as a basis for truth. His approach is direct, clear, matter-of-fact, and thought-provoking. He concludes that LDS need to know the truth about the origins, documents, and doctrines of their own religion, and others need to know, too.

His opening chapter is hard-hitting and decisive in it verdict regarding this religion which arose on the American continent, the result of the fertile imagination and clever manipulations of its founder, Joseph Smith, Jr. The LDS religion fails in its treatment of God, Christ, Salvation, and the Bible. While desiring to be recognized as another Christian denominatin, LDS understanding of the subjects above is woefully inadequate and distorts historical Christian views on these matters of faith.

Ropp treats the Book of Mormon as a document of suspicious origin and useless in adding anything historically and archeologically significant to our understanding of either the ancient western hemisphere, ancient religions found here, cultures described, or ethnic origins of native Americans.

Ropp believes the document resulted from Joseph Smith's plagarism of earlier works in combination with his own natural genius. Nearly 4,000 changes have been made to the text of the document and some of them are theologically significant, especially as relates to the deity of the Jesus Christ of normative Christianity.

Ropp similarly treats the other two key documents of the LDS religion, namely, the Doctrine and Covenants (originally entitled Book of Commandments) and Pearl of Great Price. D&C is a collection of revelations, of which many over time, were altered or corrected to suit a changing situation or reflected a measured awareness of conflicts with earlier pronouncements, documents, and doctrines of the religious leaders. PGP is comprised of Books of Moses and Abraham and writings of Joseph Smith. Notably the Book of Abraham purports to be a translation of an ancient Egyptian textual document, claimed to have been written by Abraham, the patriarch, while in Egypt. The "translation" by Joseph Smith has been discredited by competent Egyptologists. The actual document relates to funeral practices among the Egyptians, nothing to do with Abraham at all.

Ropp's book concludes with an excellent chapter on witnessing to Mormons--to do so with grace, armed with facts, and with real compassion for those in spiritual darkness.

Notes and bibliographic material are very helpful.

This is an excellent primer for introducing the uninitiated to the teachings and pitfalls of the LDS religion. It is worth having among your resources on the subject.

Thank you!