Mythologies of the World: The Illustrated Guide to Mythological Beliefs & Customs - Hardcover

Grade 7 & Up--Twelve chapters are arranged geographically and, according to the introduction, chronologically by the spread of mythology throughout civilization. The areas covered are: Mesopotamia, ancient Egypt, Greece, Rome, Northern Europe, Central and Eastern Europe, Africa, India, China and East Asia, North America, Central and South America, and Oceania. The origins, themes, and history and legacy of each area's mythology are covered. Sacred sites and customs and rituals are also discussed. Summaries of several myths are included, and the many sidebars provide additional information. The book is abundantly illustrated with labeled drawings and maps, average-quality reproductions, and photographs of sites and artifacts. The clear, clean layout features lots of white space. This will be a good book for younger researchers and useful to high school students in need of material written in an easy-to-read style. Many libraries will already have a handful of books that cover this subject quite well: Richard Cavendish's Mythology (Rizzoli, 1980; o.p.), Neil Philip's Annotated Guides: Myths and Legends (DK, 1999), Encyclopedia of World Mythology (Galahad, 1975; o.p.), or Pierre Grimal's Larousse World Mythology (Putnam, 1965; o.p.). Additional for most collections.

Herman Sutter, Saint Agnes Academy, Houston, TX

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