GUERBER, H.A. - The Myths of Greece and Rome - (Hardcover)

Book still very good but not perfect keeping in mind that it is 84 years old  - 423 pg. - New (?) Revised Edition of 1938 - Comprehensive index behind - Many illustrations.   >>>   Hélène Adeline Guerber (18591929), also known as H.A. Guerber, was an American author of many books, most of which were lively retellings of myths, legends, folklore, plays, epic poetry, operas and history. She was also a teacher. (Wikipedia)    >>>   Having only a basic familiarity with some of the most well-known Greek and Roman myths, I felt that I needed to read this. Guerber presents an overview that surely must cover all the gods and goddesses and mythical mortals whose names survive in our constellations and in our language. I started out taking notes about the relationships among the gods, but soon found it to be overwhelming. Guerber includes a sort of family tree at the end which is baffling, with some gods (immortal, of course) showing up in many generations and, as the stories bear out, married to one goddess or mortal after another. Many of the stories have strikingly similar themes, such as the pride of mortals leading to their downfall, and the certainty that to renege on a promise is to invite punishment. I am pleased that I read the book, but I also admit that I was glad to reach the end of it.   (Nancy on Goodreads)