The Fables of Aesop edited, told anew and their history traced by Joseph Jacobs

by Joseph Jacobs, Richard Heighway (Illustrator)

A facsimile edition of the original 1894 edition.

Genres: Classics, Philosophy, Fables, Fiction, Anthologies

222 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1894

About the author

Joseph Jacobs was an Australian folklorist, literary critic, historian and writer of English literature who became a notable collector and publisher of English Folklore. His work went on to popularize some of the worlds best known versions of English fairy tales including "Jack and the Beanstalk", "Goldilocks and the three bears", "The Three Little Pigs", "Jack the Giant Killer" and "The History of Tom Thumb". He published his English fairy tale collections: English Fairy Tales in 1890 and More English Fairytales in 1894 but also went on after and in between both books to publish fairy tales collected from continental Europe as well as Jewish, Celtic and Indian Fairytales which made him one of the most popular writers of fairytales for the English language. Jacobs was also an editor for journals and books on the subject of folklore which included editing the Fables of Bidpai and the Fables of Aesop, as well as articles on the migration of Jewish folklore. He also edited editions of "The Thousand and One Nights". He went on to join The Folklore Society in England and became an editor of the society journal Folklore. Joseph Jacobs also contributed to the Jewish Encyclopedia.

For more information, please see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_J...

Reviews

[Jon Nakapalau · Rating 5 out of 5]

Most of my generation ('boomers') grew up with some iteration/version of these tales; looking back I am amazed at how many of my favorite cartoons were based on them. This book does a fantastic job of tracing the tales back to original sources: had no idea some could be traced back to India (!) I picked this book up at the last library book sale: a grocery bag full of books for $5! Please try to support your library book sales; you will find many lost 'gems' like this for a great price!

[Abigail · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Fables of Aesop by Joseph Jacobs

It is my understanding that Jacobs' main thesis concerning the fables of Aesop - that they were derived from and influenced by the animal fables of ancient India - has been discredited by more current scholarship. Interestingly enough, I recently came across some discussion of a possible connection to the Sumerian tradition, in Barbara Bader's introduction to Aesop & Company: With Scenes From His Legendary Life .

However that may be (and I'm not sure I'm well enough informed to venture an opinion), Jacobs' notes on the eighty-two fables contained herein are still useful, even if one ignores the Indian "connection." As someone intending to read the two classical sources for "Aesop's" fables, Babrius and Phaedrus, Jacobs' work in tracing each selection back to one of these authors is most helpful, as is his history of their medieval transmission.

I'm not sure just how far I want to take my recent Aesop "project" - whether I want to go beyond Babrius and Phaedrus, and really get into the scholarship in the area. Still, the process of reading these many adaptations and retellings has given me some added insight, both into the adaptability of such stories, and into the transmission (or lack thereof) of ancient literature. That alone has made it worthwhile...

[Brenda · Rating 4 out of 5]

My remembrance of fables did not match this books telling. Maybe my prior readings were written for children with extra verse and colorful drawings. I found the history and revisions interesting. So many concepts in these fables have been preached by modern authors and speakers: United we stand, divided we fall; little by little does the trick; please all and you will please none; plodding wins the race; we would often be sorry if our wishes were granted; we often give our enemies the means of our own destruction; Do not count your chickens before they are hatched; the strong and the weak cannot keep company; If you allow men to use you for your own purposes, they will use you for theirs.

Right now gratitude and mindfulness are today's guideposts, the "new" wellness practice being spouted by modern gurus and self-help authors. One such speaker referenced the story of "The Dog & the Shadow" and it's moral, Beware lest you lose the substance by grasping at the shadow. A poor dog dropped his supper after seeing his reflection and thinking he saw another piece of meat and wanted it also. He ended losing what he had while wanting something he didn't.
In the Fisher and the Little Fish, the fisherman knows that A little thing in hand is worth more than a great thing in prospect.

Some of the bestselling self-help books are just retellings of these fables with many more examples, testimonials, charts, scientific studies, and author's claim of discovery. Do we really need 300 page books to gain understanding? After all, most books are boiled down to a few memorable quotes or memes anyway.

[Jasmine Stocker · Rating 4 out of 5]

This version of The Fables of Aesop is said to be the truest representation of the retold stories. I enjoyed this version because it was set for the older audience versus some of the younger versions. I know many authors write different versions but its also good to reflect and compare the most original versions.

[Susan C Lance · Rating 4 out of 5]

This hardcover edition was published in 1942. I give it 4 stars for the illustrations by Richard Heighway. The actual fables, edited by Joseph Jacobs, were a mystery though. While this is a classic and has been printed in many forms, the tales themselves are grim and the moral usually involves some animal or person dying. Is this how they used to teach lessons to children?

[Debi Cates]

In progress...

Precious things are for those that can prize them.
  —Cock and the Pearl
Any excuse will serve a tyrant.
  —The Wolf and the Lamb
Beware lest you lose the substance by grasping at the shadow.
  —The Dog and the Shadow
You may share the labors of the great, but you will not share the spoil.
  —The Lion’s Share


   

[Skye · Rating 3 out of 5]

The stories were mostly nonsense, but it was pretty to look at.

[Irena Tippett · Rating 4 out of 5]

How can one say 'no' to Aesop's fables?! They have survived millennia, travelled around the world, been translated into many languages and been read (and remembered) by child and adult alike.

[Hugh Coverly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Originally published in 1894, this version of the famous tales presents a wonderful introduction and the endnotes demonstrate the many and varied sources of the fables. Beautifully illustrated with many black and white illustrations that bring to life these ancient fables.

[Partridge Public]

Jacobs, Joseph

[Melissa Coyle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Little stories with a moral, some are familiar and quite a few were fun to learn.