World Mythology: The Illustrated Guide

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World Mythology: The Illustrated Guide

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"A comprehensive and comparative survey of the myths of nineteen cultural regions."–American Libraries

"The study of mythology does not suffer from a dearth of fine, scholarly reference books, but until now the general reader lacked a good, illustrated collection of the most important myths. In this fascinating and authoritative encyclopedia, scholarly contributors use more than 500 color photographs, maps, and artifacts to describe the myths. An insightful foreword by Robert Walter adds further credibility to this oversized, colorful book."–Library Journal

"The appearance of this mythology title in paper assures that the encyclopedia of facts will reach new audiences, providing maps, charts, family trees and selected mythological episode retellings. The further organization of the myths by country assures students and adults instant access to specific world regions."–Midwest Book Review
Product Description

The great myths of the world create meaning out of the fundamental events of human existence: birth, death, conflict, loss, reconciliation, the cycle of the seasons. They speak to us of life itself in voices still intelligible, yet compellingly strange and distant. World Mythology offers readers an authoritative and wide-ranging guide to these enduring mythological traditions, combining the pure narrative of the myths themselves with the backtground necessary for more complete understanding.

Here, noted mythology expert Roy Willis, brings together a team of nineteen leading scholars navigate a clear path through the complexities of myth as they distill the essence of each regional tradition and focus on the most significant figures and the most enthralling stories. All aspects of the world's key mythologies are covered, from tales of warring deities and demons to stories of revenge and metamorphosis; from accounts of lustful gods and star-crossed human lovers to journeys in the underworld. All are told at length and are accompanied by illuminating and readable introductory text. Also included are summaries of important theories about the origins and meaning of myth, and an examination of themes that recur across a range of civilizations.
Beautifully illustrated with more than 500 color photographs, works of art, charts, and maps, World Mythology offers readers the most accessible guide yet to the heritage of the world's imagination.