The Universe, the Gods, and Men - by Jean-Pierre Vernant (Paperback)

About the Book

Translation of: L'univers, les dieux, les hommes.

From the Back Cover

In this enchanting retelling of Greek myth, Jean-Pierre Vernant combines his deep knowledge of the subject with an original storytelling style. Beginning with the creation of Earth out of Chaos, Vernant continues with the castration of Uranus, the war between the Titans and the Olympian gods, the wily ruses of Prometheus and Zeus, and the creation of Pandora, the first woman. His narrative takes readers from the Trojan War to the voyage of Odysseus, from the story of Dionysus to the terrible destiny of Oedipus, to Perseus's confrontation with the Gorgons.

Jean-Pierre Vernant has devoted himself to the study of Greek mythology. In recounting these tales, he unravels for us their multiple meanings and brings to life the beloved figures of legend whose narratives lie at the origin of our civilization.

Review Quotes

"Here, from a master scholar of Greek mythology, religion and society, is a masterly narrative of the ancient Greek world...told with the resonance, verve and passion of a modern bard in action." - Robert Fagles, Translator of The Illiad and The Odyssey by Homer
"An engorssing, stimulating and lively book." - London Times Literary Supplement
"Storytelling at its best ... A rich treasury for all readers." - Library Journal