The Handy Mythology Answer Book

by David A. Leeming

Vainglorious gods and irresistible seductresses. Beastly beasts and brutal warriors. Stories centuries in the making, and centuries worth of stories, are explained in this fascinating guide to mythology. Mythology forms our understanding of our origin, history, and traditions. They tell of our heroes and deities. Myths are vehicles for understanding religion, learning language, and understanding society, but they can often be difficult to understand and confusing. From a world of gods and goddesses to classic heroes and epic journeys to beastly monsters and irresistible seductresses, The Handy Mythology Answer Book answers nearly 600 questions and offers fun facts about the treachery and violence, the inspirational and epic, the supernatural monsters and heroic mortals found in mythology, including …

Genres: Mythology, Reference, Nonfiction, Religion

416 pages, Paperback

First published August 18, 2014

About the author

aka David Adams Leeming

Reviews

[Naomi Ruth · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a useful mythology overview. It includes many mythic groups that are usually overlooked (African and Central Asia, as well as Polynesia, come to mind). I was disappointed that it did not include Slavic mythology, especially with the rise in interest in Slavic mythology, Perun in particular. However, I did like that it included a chapter on Modern Myths and on the idea of a "World Myth" tying all of the information in the previous chapters together. I also liked that it included some mythic texts in an Appendix. Definitely a handy mythology reference book.

[alexander burrus · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pleasurable read

A good overview of different religions and mythologies side by side. This book encouraged future mythology reading in my future.

[Steph · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finally! A mythology book that gives chapters of info on African and Native American mythology. This one's a keeper.

[Donald Armfield · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is packed with useful information. Currently it has little on what I need. Knowing my local library has a copy, I will reopen this book again one day.

[Firat Tarman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Daha çok bir ders kitabına ya da ansiklopedik sözlüğe benziyor. Baştan sona okumak sıkıntılı olabilir, başucu kaynağı olarak dursa daha iyi gibi :)

[Jackson · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a cool reference. Who knew there were so many many things outside our typical fare? It is like discovering a new continent!

[Shadowwarrior · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's short, doesn't go into too much detail, but it's a great resource to have when you want to refresh your memory of the different religions of the world.

[Brandy.New784]

Leeming, D. A., (2014). The Handy Mythology Answer Book. Visible Ink: Detroit.

Citation by: Brandy New

Type of Reference: Handbook

Call Number: BL312

Content/Scope: A comprehensive handbook of mythology targeted for grades 6 and up. A wide range of myths from cultures all over the world are discussed. The book format answers almost 600 questions and includes discussion of topics central to this area.

Accuracy/Authority/Bias: This is a popular an extensive book series. The bibliography suggest the authenticity of the stories included.

Arrangement/Presentation: The book is arranged in a question and answer format with illustrations and short pieces of text. The book also includes a glossary, index and bibliography.

Relation to other works: This book in one in the series of question and answer books for children on various topics. This is a widely written about and popular topic with young readers. This book is comprehensive as compared to many works that focus on one particular myth or culture.

Accessibility/Diversity: Includes myths from ancient Greek and Roman to Egypt and Babylon, from Native North American Indian to Celtic, Middle Eastern, Indian, Asian, and African cultures.

Cost: $21.95

Professional Review: Talty, H. (2014). Nutrition, Social Deviance, and Political Controversy. School Library Journal, Dec. 3, 2014. Retrieved from http://www.slj.com/2014/12/reviews/re...

[Rachael]

A useful book for looking up different myths but was still missing some stories my daughter was interested in. She enjoyed all the pictures that were included and liked the details in the story of Perseus and Medusa. We then checked out the new Percy Jackson reference book to fill in the blanks about Medusa.
wanted more info on Chiron but he is only mentioned once in this book. We will have to get a book focusing more on Greek mythology to learn more about him.

[Angharad · Rating 5 out of 5]

Does exactly what it says on the tin: presents you with a bunch of questions about all sorts of mythology, and then answers them for you! The text would be a little hard for a young teen, but someone about 16-adult should be able to get through this one just fine, and honestly I've thought about buying a copy as a reference.

[Joy Lane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Adult level, but should be helpful for TEENS researching ANY Myths throughout the world. It has a clear and vast index with good cross references.

[Owen · Rating 3 out of 5]

More of an annotated list for further reading, this broad net felt as rushed as a high schooler trying to finish a final project the night before it's due.