Most mythology books deal with Medusa as the creature decapitated by Perseus, but in this extended look at the youngest of the Gorgons writer Bernard Evslin we get the entire story. Evslin begins with the creation of the Gorgons and how the lovely Medusa was cursed by a jealous Athena into the ugliest creature imaginable, then picks up the story of Danae and Perseus, which includes the rescue of Andromeda. At the end Evslin goes for a somewhat more romantic ending for Medusa's head then being on aegis, the shield of Zeus carried by Athena. Evslin manages to give a sense that this is a classic tale without becoming embroiled in arcane language and syntax. As a result, this is the not only the best book on Medusa I have found to date, but the best telling of the tale of Perseus as well. The Monsters of Mythology series consists of 25 volumes mostly devoted to Hellenic creatures from Cerberus to the Sphinx, with a couple of Norse and Celtic monsters added for good measure. The book is illustrated with most ancient art, but also some more contemporary pictures dealing with the story of Medusa.

Very nicely written with great pictures.
Evslin turns a tale of monster into a great jouvenile fiction
which will amaze anyone who reads the book

This is, as are all the books in the *Monsters of Mythology* series, an awe-inspiring tale told beautifully in Evslin's rich voice meant for storytelling. He brings to life all the ancient tales of classical myth. All his works are filled with that wonder, that marvel at the vastness of the culture from which the story originated. Granted, I think this series should be meant for a higher reading level, as there are complex threads running beneath the tale, concepts of morality and honour that youngers won't understand. Such great talent and fine tale-spinning should not be wasted on an uncomprehending audience. I love this series. I love every story and I love Evslin's style and I love the world of myth.

A very interesting twist on the tale of the Hydra and its origin. Though not totally accurate, if you are an avid myth reader or simply want to be amused you should give it a try.

You will be surprised to see how the author pulls you into the depths of greek mythology with profounding pictures and amusing remarks.

I tried for years to find a good, readable prose translation of the Illiad or the Odyssey. Either it is written in unreadable translated poetry or written in a faux old style which supposedly evokes the Greek style. This version contains all of the key story elements of the Homer classics. It also has the advantage of combining both of the stories into one flowing narrative. It is very readable and at a little over 300 pages is neither too long or too short. I highly recommend any reader of any age who wishes to experience Homer's storytelling for the first time or to relive it again.

The first time I read this book was when I was 8 years old. I have read it at least 50 times since then, and I can't wait to get another copy of it so that I can read it to my children. Finn is an inspiration to us all, and we would do well to learn from him how to use our minds to escape difficult situations. Finn is my hero, and he has been my definition of a "good man" since I first read his tale.

This account of his triumphs and tribulations on the way to manhood is well told, humorous, and nicely illustrated.

I like this book. It has a lot of suspense and action. It is very exciting and if you like mythology, you should read this book. It has many exciting adventures with Hercules.
It starts off in Thebes. Amphitryon and Alcmene had a baby who was going to be the heir to the throne. It turns out that they're going to have two babies. This is a problem because if there is two prince babies, there will be a problem of succession. One baby was Hercules. He was twice the size of his twin brother Iphicles. Hercules was so big that people started to think he was a son of a god. Hera, who is the queen of gods, thought that Hercules was Zeus's son. So she sent two serpents to kill him. The two came and started to choke Hercules and his brother. His brother became unconsious, but Hercules just started to squeeze the life out of the snake choking him. He also took the other snake and tied them together. Iphicles had some broken ribs, but Hercules had bruises but no broken bones. Hera was very angry. Hercules grew and learned from a centaur Chiron. He taught Hercules many things. Hera forgot about Hercules for a while. Then she remembered him and she thought of a way to trick him. She gave him a vision. In the vision, she put a tall, grown man. He had a wife and kids. The man was angry and he struck his wife with his club and killed her. His two children screamed and tried to run away but he grabbed both of them and smashed their heads together. Seeing this, Hercules got scared. He was going to kill himself to prevent this from happening, but Hera said that if Hercules served the King Eurystheus in Mycenae for 12 years, he would be freed of this curse. Hercules went there at once. His first task was to kill the Nemean Lion and bring its hide to the king. The Nemean Lion was bigger than an elephant with teeth like daggers, claws like brass hooks, and a hide that no weapon can pierce. Hercules went the the Nemean Lion's territory. He killed it after using most of his weapons and finally stabbing its eye running at full speed with a spear. He cut the hide by using the lion's own claws. There were more tasks as dangerous as these. He was told to kill the Hydra, clean the Augean Stables in one day which was impossible without help, stealing red bulls from a a triple-bodied monster with 3 bodies and six legs and six arms all connected at the waist, and a few more near-impossible tasks. Hercules probably finishes them but thats for me to know and for you to find out by reading this book. I recommend this book to anybody who enjoys reading mythology books.

Personally I don't like this book because I like art. Now I don't mean to be rude, but the art in this book is....not very good. I think I made my point clear. But if you like interesting stories than buy this book.

it is a very compelling story retold by a great author.

Evslin takes too much from Shakespeare's Anceint Greece. Both the Bellerophon and Anteia seem to lack power to propel their destenies forward. Bellerophon lacks not only the courage, but the spunk of a hero of his age group. Anteia seems too passive to resist her arranged marriage to King Proteus, and even too passive to express her feelings (if any) towards the hero. Bernard Evslin attempts to write this as the first fairytale, with the hero, the dragon and the Damsel in Distress. These cliche seems tiresome and if placed in the context of the classics, stale by a thousand years. When the hero exclaims "To Claim my prize, the fairest Anteia" One can only remember Princess Jasmine's line "I am not a prize to be won"

i can just say it is really good

This book is an excellent introduction to Greek Mythology. I have used it as a novel study for my sixth graders for several years, and they love the interesting and unusual characters contained in the myths. Perseus shows his courage in slaying Medusa and rescuing Andromeda. Theseus displays quick thinking in destroying many monsters including the Minotaur. Readers learn a new side of Daedalus, the father of Icarus, who invented the labyrinth for King Minos. The final stories of Atalanta, King Midas, and Pygmalion teach children universal themes of love and greed which still abound in modern society. Lots of children go on to read many more myths after finishing this exciting collection.