Review by Choice Review
Philip has written several works on myths and legends for younger audiences. With this title, he ventures to use similar approaches in a slightly more formal presentation. Unfortunately, readers have no idea why certain myths and legends were chosen and others excluded, nor is there any explanation why more countries were not represented. The author makes very good use of artifacts, paintings, and other materials to elaborate different points of the story, combining art history and classical and cultural studies. The book's value would have been increased had the author included additional readings; many readers whose curiosity is piqued may not realize the wealth of resources available, especially in the relation of art to mythology. Recommended for high school and community college libraries; of supplemental interest for college libraries. M. C. Su; Pennsylvania State University, Altoona Campus
Copyright American Library Association, used with permission.
Review by Library Journal Review
Philip uses art in various formsÄfrom Chinese plates to Norwegian wooden church doors to the paintings of RaphaelÄto illustrate and illuminate 56 myths and legends. The Greco/Roman tradition receives the largest coverage (23 entries plus a family tree), but many other world cultures are included. Each page is colorful and informative, with details of the artwork sidebarred for further explanation and arrows with captions pointing out details relevant to the myths. General text on each page gives basic information, and an index is included. But although most artworks are identified, a small number are not, for no apparent reason. Some of the items pointed out and captioned ("wet hair," "thread") seem embarrassingly obvious, and the introduction is perhaps overly ambitious in its cultural comparisons. Nonetheless, this is a typically excellent DK offering, recommended for school libraries at all levels and for public library collections.ÄKatherine K. Koenig, Ellis Sch., Pittsburgh (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
