The Mythology Handbook: A Course in Ancient Greek Myths (by Clint Twist, Dugald A. Steer, Lady Hestia Evans)

This handbook has a scrapbook quality to it, and is rich with sepia-toned, black and white, and color illustrations. There are letters from Lady Hestia Evans, Homeric hymns, and anecdotal sidebars sprinkled throughout the book. The information is an overview rather than an in-depth compendium of the mythical stories, and as such, some readers may be left wanting more. However, readers will get a viable introduction to the major gods and characters, as well as to the vibrant history and panoply of creatures, demi-gods, and human heroes.

The first few pages of the book are somewhat confusing as the reader is confronted with a Publisher's Note, a warning to all mythologists, illustrations randomly placed, and a hefty table of contents. Also, the type face of Lady Hestia Evans' letters is quite small, light, and difficult to read. Maps are also small and difficult to read. A glossary would have been a helpful touch, but there is much information and activity in this handbook to capture the attention of multi-aged readers -- as an introduction or a refresher to the Greek myths.