Mythology: Myths, Legends & Fantasies
Reference Art & Illustration Folklore Mythology History Fantasy Young Adult Nonfiction
Mythology: Myths, Legends & Fantasies (2004, Global Book Publishing) is a lavishly illustrated hardcover that distills the world’s great mythic traditions into a single, eye-catching reference for young-adult and adult readers alike. Under the editorial guidance of Alice Mills—an authority on comparative folklore—each chapter pairs concise, high-interest retellings with museum-quality artwork, maps, and family trees that make the Greek pantheon, Norse sagas, Egyptian deities, and Asian cosmologies feel immediate and alive. The result is a coffee-table book that doubles as a classroom-ready textbook: academically solid yet paced like a page-turner, perfect for students writing papers, fantasy fans sourcing inspiration, or collectors who want a single volume that covers global mythology without skimping on visual drama.
What sets this 2004 first edition apart is its rarity in hardcover and the care Global Book lavished on production. Thick, matte-coated stock showcases 300+ full-color images—vase paintings, temple friezes, illuminated manuscripts, and newly commissioned digital reconstructions—while the sewn binding ensures the book lies flat for study or display. At just under 400 pages, it is comprehensive enough to serve as a home reference yet compact enough to slip into a backpack. Keywords repeatedly searched by buyers—“Greek gods, goddesses, myths and legends, illustrated mythology reference”—are all thoroughly addressed in dedicated spreads that link deities to their cultural context and modern pop-culture echoes.
Collectors prize this edition because later reprints switched to cheaper paper and dropped roughly 20% of the artwork. This copy grades “very good”: the pictorial boards remain bright, the bottom page block shows only a single, faint mark, and the interior is free of inscriptions, underlining, or dog-eared leaves. For gift-givers, it is an evergreen choice: a beautiful, browsable introduction to world mythology that sparks curiosity without condescension. Whether shelved with antiquarian treasures, art books, or fantasy RPG resources, Mythology: Myths, Legends & Fantasies delivers enduring value and visual delight in one sturdy, gift-worthy package.
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