Greek Mythology: The Gods, Goddesses, and Heroes Handbook

Greek Mythology: The Gods, Goddesses, and Heroes Handbook:  From Aphrodite to Zeus, a Profile of Who's Who in Greek Mythology by Liv Albert (New York: Simon and Schuster, 2021).

Mythology explains of the beliefs of the ancients.  It answers the most important questions of life and death. How was the world created?  What is the role of humans in that creation?  Who are the gods?  What is our relationship to these gods?  Greek mythology was part of the oral tradition and only later written in stories, poetry and plays. Rather than providing a moral guide or code, the gods and goddesses of Greek mythology often teach us more about what not to do than what to do. These stories of heroes, thwarted love, pride and jealously continue to be referenced today in popular culture (from Harry Potter to Percy Jackson).  Truthfully, there are a plethora of books on Greek and Roman mythology.  What’s different about this one?

Think of this book as a Who’s Who of Greek Mythology. The book is organized by character: the Olympians, Deities (for example, Hercules or Prometheus), Heroes and Mortals.  The author, Liv Albert is a podcaster (“Let’s Talk about Myths, Baby!”).  She provides a contemporary take on these stories, explaining confusing issues, answering common questions and commenting on despicable behavior.  Each “bio” is divided into sections: “What’s his/her deal?”  “The story you need to know,” and “Now you know.” The book a fast way to unravel the story of these characters.  We all know that stories vary depending upon which version you hear.  Accordingly, the author references the reader to other versions of the same story as presented by different characters.  The book is illustrated by Sara Richards.  A short list of resources for further reading is provided but there are no direct references throughout.  This guide is best for teen readers or adults who just want a fast way to maneuver this world.