Bulfinch's Mythology (Barnes & Noble Classics Series) (Electronic book text)

"Bulfinch's Mythology," by Thomas Bulfinch, is part of the "Barnes & Noble Classics"" "series, which offers quality editions at affordable prices to the student and the general reader, including new scholarship, thoughtful design, and pages of carefully crafted extras. Here are some of the remarkable features of "Barnes & Noble Classics" New introductions commissioned from today's top writers and scholars Biographies of the authors Chronologies of contemporary historical, biographical, and cultural events Footnotes and endnotes Selective discussions of imitations, parodies, poems, books, plays, paintings, operas, statuary, and films inspired by the work Comments by other famous authors Study questions to challenge the reader's viewpoints and expectations Bibliographies for further reading Indices & Glossaries, when appropriateAll editions are beautifully designed and are printed to superior specifications; some include illustrations of historical interest. "Barnes & Noble Classics "pulls together a constellation of influences--biographical, historical, and literary--to enrich each reader's understanding of these enduring works. One of the leading popularizers of classical learning in the nineteenth century, Thomas Bulfinch made the myths and legends of the ancient and medieval world available to American audiences through his three decisive works, "The Age of Fable," "The Age of Chivalry," and "Legends of Charlemagne," collectively published and widely known as "Bulfinch's Mythology." A banking clerk by day, Bulfinch spent his nights skillfully weaving often disparate versions of classical and medieval mythology into a coherent whole. The thoroughness with which he combed through his sources made his mythological books standard reference guides for many years, while the vigor of his storytelling enthralled generations of readers. Written to "teach mythology not as a study but as a relaxation from study," these timeless volumes span the ages: "The Age Of Fable" describes the gods and goddesses of Greece and Rome, as well as the mythology of the Germanic tribes, England, and the Near East; "The Age of Chivalry" tells the story of King Arthur and his court, Lancelot and Guinevere, and the death of Arthur; and "Legends of Charlemagne" gives a thrilling account of the reign of the first great French emperor, his wars, and his conquests. Charles Martin is a poet and translator. His verse translation of Ovid's "Metamorphoses" was published in 2003 by W. W. Norton and received the Harold Morton Landon Award from the Academy of American Poets for 2004. His most recent book of poems, "Starting from Sleep: New and Selected Poems," published in 2002 by the Sewanee Writers' Series/The Overlook Press, was a finalist for the Lenore Marshall Award of the Academy of American Poets.