Each book in the set offers a treasury of history and art, enchanting the reader with the stories that have fascinated people for thousands of years. An Introduction links the featured ancient culture to its traditions of myth and storytelling. Fact boxes and feature spreads bridge the gap between myth and reality, and illustrate how the featured society lived, including how they worshipped and expressed themselves through art. Each book reveals the truths and teachings that lie behind many of the myths, and addresses the question of the role that storytelling played in these diverse societies.
Maps and artifacts are displayed alongside art and photographs of the landscapes immortlized in the tales. Each book includes more than sixty maps, photos, and illustrations, along with a timeline of key events, a glossary, and an index.
Review(s): With lots of heroic adventures and exciting, sometimes gruesome, detail, Harpur retells stories of the Irish and Welsh Celts and weaves in facts about their culture and the history of their struggle for dominance. Text is broken up with lots of beautiful, color images on every page, including photos of the settings as well as paintings, sculptures, weapons, and other artifacts. Part of the World of Mythology series, the exciting storytelling will move readers to browse the sidebars on topics that include Celts in battle, the Celtic calendar, and Celtic artwork, which is discussed in a particularly excellent double-page spread. Extensive back matter includes a detailed time line, glossary, and bibliography. Booklist review for Celtic Myth: A Treasury of Legends, Art, and History
This series is a valuable supplement to related curriculum areas. The easy-to-read text, which includes pronunciation guides when necessary, is enhanced by a colorful map at the beginning of each book and vivid captioned photos throughout. Recommended. Library Media Connection
A well-organized presentation that includes information and tales about the gods and the pharaohs as well as magical stories and legends, providing an excellent introduction to this fascinating culture. School Library Journal review for Egyptian Myth, March 2008