National Geographic Essential Visual History of World Mythology

by National Geographic Society (Institutional Author)

From ancient Egyptian deities to the Vedic gods of India, from Maya, Inca, and Aztec legends to the Dreamtime of the Aborigines. National Geographic Essential Visual History of World Mythology encompasses myths and creation stories from around the globe that have shaped society for millennia. Accessible, absorbing, and affordable, it will delight casual browsers and mythology buffs alike.

Genres: Mythology, History, Reference, Nonfiction, Religion, Coffee Table Books, Folklore

480 pages, Hardcover

First published November 4, 2008

About the author

The National Geographic Society (NGS), headquartered in Washington, D.C., United States, is one of the largest nonprofit scientific and educational organizations in the world.
Founded in 1888, its interests include geography, archaeology, and natural science, the promotion of environmental and historical conservation, and the study of world culture and history. The National Geographic Society's logo is a yellow portrait frame—rectangular in shape—which appears on the margins surrounding the front covers of its magazines and as its television channel logo. Through National Geographic Partners (a joint venture with The Walt Disney Company), the Society operates the magazine, TV channels, a website, worldwide events, and other media operations.

Reviews

[judy · Rating 1 out of 5]

You're kidding me, right? National Geographic puts out a book that a ton of people should love. When you actually see it, it's half the size (top to bottom) of a regular book. Incredible information but due to the small size of the pages necessitating a bizarre layout, you keep reading the wrong thing when you think you're just going to the next column. Visual history--what a terrific idea. I have a magnifying glass but it's way too weak to let me see the detail on the teeny tiny pictures. Suggestion to National Geographic---do it right. Make it a coffee table-sized book and make it expensive. It will be worth every penny.

[El Samito · Rating 5 out of 5]

Parmi le peu de livres qui aborde en profondeur des mythologies américaines et africaines.

[Netsen7Bookdragon · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good book that gives a view of the mythologies of the world and their Gods and Goddesses. Very informative and also have a lot of pictures of statues and so on. I do recoment if you want an easy and fast way to learn about mythology.

[Kathryn]

Note to self: Get this as a reference copy, lots of great photos

[Arapahoe Libraries]

Find out about Yggdrasll, Naram-Sin, Uluru and more in this beautifully illustrated and informative little book.

[Corey · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you love learning about history and mythology, this collection is for you.

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

I could read this same information over and over and never get tired of it! I just love mythology.

[Harris · Rating 5 out of 5]

finally...book that cover ancient near eastern to australia/oceania mythology ^^

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

The read was worth it for looking at the images of cultural artifacts and art from different cultures. I enjoyed the sections on pre-Abrahamic religion and on Oceanic religion but I wish they were more comprehensive. This book would serve as a decent primer on comparative world mythology.

[Stephen Simpson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although it includes, at best, just the "highlights" of major mythological traditions, it's not bad for what it is.

[Shawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was great comprehensive & fascinating

[Sissi · Rating 3 out of 5]

3,5

[Galina Sulaiman · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good mixture of different world mythologies put together by National Geographic. I only wish that the text wasn't so very small instead of normal sized.

[Sanna · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book has a lot of good information about various mythologies and it includes Africa, Australia and Oceania, but the problem is the books small size. Something called The Essential Visual History of World Mythologies should be much larger to do justice to all the beautiful pictures. The small size of the book also makes the layout of the text a bit confusing.

[Bene Gesserit · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun little blurbs on world mythologies. Good for a coffee table book or bathroom book, but doesn't delve very deep into details and stories. Mostly focused on European mythology, unfortunately

[Amellia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great general information about mythologies from around the world.