Key Points:
- The #1 Overall Best book about Greek mythology is Mythology: Timeless Tales Of Gods and Heroes by Edith Hamilton (Author) and Jim Tierney (Artist).
- Greek mythology is a fascinating topic. Reading about it in books can be a great way to learn more about the subject.
- There are numerous books on Greek mythology, ranging from academic works to popular retellings of classic tales. Some of the most well-known books about Greek mythology include Edith Hamilton’s Mythology, which is often used as a textbook in college courses. Another popular story is Rick Riordan’s Percy Jackson and the Olympians series, which is aimed at young adult readers.
- When choosing a book about Greek mythology, you should consider whether it is a single book or a collection, the type of book, your purpose in reading the book, and the intended audience.
Ancient mythologies have had a lasting impact on today’s society. Reading books about them can help us better understand our own culture and history. Some people enjoy reading Greek mythology because they are interested in the religious beliefs and practices of ancient Greece, which influenced Western culture in many ways. For others, reading books about Greek mythology is purely entertaining: the stories are full of drama, romance, and adventure. Many people also see myths as a way to gain insight into human nature and our relationship with the divine.
Books about Greek mythology are powerful, intriguing, and beautiful, with stories written for both adults and teens. There are plenty of different types of Greek mythology books. Many people enjoy fictional stories that are based on Greek mythology, as well as scholarly books on the different ancient gods and goddesses in the books. There are also literature books on the different myths and creatures commonly found in Greek mythology.
There is so much interesting information that you can learn about Greek mythology, and there is a book for everyone interested — so, let’s take a look at the six best books about Greek mythology!
- Mythology: Timeless Tales of Gods and Heroes (75th Anniversary Illustrated Edition)
- Classic bestselling compendium of Greek mythology
- Also includes information and stories on Norse and Roman mythology
- Deluxe hardcover book with new, commissioned art
- Greek Mythology: The Gods, Goddesses, and Heroes Handbook
- 240 pages of detailed information on various gods and myths
- Great choice if you're interested in something more affordable
- Available in both kindle and hardcover versions
- Uncovering Greek Mythology: A Beginner's Guide into the World of Greek Gods and Goddesses
- Goes into detail on the different Greek gods and goddesses and lists them from A-to-Z
- Details worship practices from Ancient Greece
- Part of a collection of four mythology books that are available in paperback or on Kindle,
- Mythology: A Captivating Guide to Greek Mythology, Egyptian Mythology, Norse Mythology, Celtic Mythology and Roman Mythology
- Includes information about five different mythologies (Greek, Norse, Egyptian, Roman, and Celtic)
- Goes into greater detail about the gods and myths, including things like the Titans
- 204-page book also includes stories on Paris of Troy and Jason and the Golden Fleece
- Treasury of Greek Mythology: Classic Stories of Gods, Goddesses, Heroes & Monsters
- One of the best school library journal books of 2011.
- One of the California Reading Association's capital choices for noteworthy titles in 2012.
- Easy for kids to understand.
- Beautifully illustrated.
- Percy Jackson and The Olympians (Ultimate Collection 5 Book Set)
- Five bestselling novels compiled into one set
- An easy-to-follow and engaging storyline
- Witty, humorous storyline with diverse characters
- Mixes ancient mythology with everyday modern life
Top Picks: The Best Books About Greek Mythology Today
#1 Overall Best: Mythology: Timeless Tales Of Gods and Heroes by Edith Hamilton (Author) and Jim Tierney (Artist)
The best overall Greek mythology in this review is the Timeless Tales of Gods and Heroes. This is the 75th-anniversary edition of the classic mythology book by Edith Hamilton. For decades Hamilton’s book has remained an all-time bestseller. Millions of copies have been sold across the globe. Hamilton was a classical scholar who brought ancient literature to a broader audience. Her books on Greek and Roman mythology have earned rave reviews — for anyone fascinated by mythology, this is a must-read!
Timeless Tales of Gods and Heroes is like having an encyclopedia with all of the stories and characters from ancient Greek, Roman, and Norse mythology. Hamilton is an academic scholar and uses parts of important texts from famous writers like Homer and Euripides. This helps to give you a complete understanding of the stories and characters. She presents the information in a clear and scholarly way. However, this also means that the stories can be dry at times. In addition, Hamilton does sometimes gloss over some of the sexual violence of these mythological tales. However, this can also make it more suitable for teenagers as well as adults.
This edition is a deluxe hardcover book with newly commissioned art, making it a coveted collector’s item. The book includes many captivating stories from ancient Greek, Roman, and Norse mythology, from the epic journey of Odysseus to the valiant efforts of Odin to delay Ragnarok. The layout is easy to follow and the illustrations are wonderful. The book is a thick hardcover edition with nice binding and a beautiful dust cover that makes it great for displaying as well as reading. However, a few customers reported that when they received the book in the mail, the edges were slightly crunched. This was usually minor, but worth noting.
Pros and Cons of Mythology: Timeless Tales Of Gods and Heroes by Edith Hamilton (Author) and Jim Tierney (Artist)
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| This is the 75th-anniversary edition of the classic bestseller mythology book by Edith Hamilton. | The information is scholarly and can be dry at times. |
| Hamilton’s books on Greek and Roman mythology have earned rave reviews for several decades. | A few customers reported that when they received the book in the mail, the edges were slightly crunched. |
| This book is like having an encyclopedia with all of the stories and characters from ancient Greek, Roman, and Norse mythology. | The author does sometimes gloss over some of the sexual violence of mythological stories. |
| The author is an academic scholar and uses parts of important texts from famous writers like Homer and Euripides. | |
| The information is presented in a clear and straightforward manner. | |
| The author leaves out some of the sexual violence of ancient mythology, which makes this book more suitable for teenagers as well as adults. | |
| This is a deluxe hardcover edition with thick pages. | |
| It features newly commissioned art. | |
| The layout is easy to follow. | |
| It has nice binding and a beautiful dust cover that makes it great for displaying as well as reading. |
- Classic bestselling compendium of Greek mythology
- Also includes information and stories on Norse and Roman mythology
- Deluxe hardcover book with new, commissioned art
2. Best for Affordability: Greek Mythology: The Gods, Goddesses, and Heroes Handbook by Liv Albert (Author) and Sara Richard (Illustrator)
If you’re looking for a nice introduction to Greek mythology without breaking the bank, then check out the bestselling book Greek Mythology: The Gods, Goddesses, and Heroes Handbook. This book is available on Kindle and as a hardcover. It has 240 pages of information and character profiles to help you identify who is who in Greek mythology. You will find information on the backstories and history of each character along with their roles, symbols, and origins. If you are interested in learning about the gods, goddesses, monsters, and heroes you commonly see in Greek mythology, then this is a great book to read.
The illustrations in this book are simply beautiful with an art-nouveau-type style that gives the characters of Greek mythology an otherworldly quality. The author presents the information in a clear and easy-to-follow manner, spending a balanced amount of time on each character. However, if you are wanting more in-depth information about the gods and goddesses of Greek mythology, then this probably isn’t the right book for you.
Pros and Cons of Greek Mythology: The Gods, Goddesses, and Heroes Handbook by Liv Albert (Author) and Sara Richard (Illustrator)
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| This is an excellent introduction to the gods, goddesses, and heroes of Greek mythology. | This book is an introduction to Greek mythology and doesn’t provide more in-depth information on the characters. |
| It is available on Kindle and as a hardcover. | |
| The author gives the backstory, origin, roles, and symbols of each character in their profile. | |
| The illustrations are done in a beautiful art-nouveau-type style. | |
| Each character receives a balanced amount of attention and information. | |
| The author presents the information in a clear and easy-to-follow manner. |
- 240 pages of detailed information on various gods and myths
- Great choice if you're interested in something more affordable
- Available in both kindle and hardcover versions
3. Best for Beginners: Uncovering Greek Mythology: A Beginner’s Guide into the World of Greek Gods and Goddesses by Lucas Russo
If you are a beginner looking to learn more about Greek mythology, then Uncovering Greek Mythology: A Beginner’s Guide into the World of Greek Gods and Goddesses is a great place to start. The book’s 150 pages go into detail on the different Greek gods and goddesses and list them in an A-to-Z order. This book includes rich stories on the Greek pantheon and a brief history of Greek civilization. It also explains how they worshipped the Greek gods and goddesses, which shows how they have shaped Western civilization. The author not only includes the who, what, when, where, and why, but also the cultural values of the ancient Greeks and the moral lessons to be learned from their stories.
The author does an excellent job of organizing and presenting the information in a clear and concise manner. If you’re looking for a fun and easy introduction to Greek mythology, this is a great starter. This book gives you a chance to get acquainted with the gods and goddesses of the ancient Greeks without drowning in an ocean of details or getting bogged down by scholarly analysis. This book is part of a collection of four mythology books that are available in paperback or on Kindle.
Pros and Cons of Uncovering Greek Mythology: A Beginner’s Guide into the World of Greek Gods and Goddesses by Lucas Russo
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| This book is 150 pages and is available as a Kindle or paperback book. | This book is an introduction to Greek mythology, so it is not incredibly detailed or in-depth. |
| The author lists the major Greek gods and goddesses in alphabetical order. | |
| This book includes a brief history of Greek civilization and how they worshipped the Greek gods and goddesses. | |
| The author includes the cultural values of the ancient Greeks and the moral lessons to be learned from their stories. | |
| The information is well organized and presented in a clear and concise manner. | |
| This is a fun and easy introduction to Greek mythology. | |
| It doesn’t give too many details or heavy analyses. | |
| This book is part of a collection of four mythology books that are available in paperback or on Kindle. |
- Goes into detail on the different Greek gods and goddesses and lists them from A-to-Z
- Details worship practices from Ancient Greece
- Part of a collection of four mythology books that are available in paperback or on Kindle,
4. Best for Adults: Mythology: A Captivating Guide to Greek Mythology, Egyptian Mythology, Norse Mythology, Celtic Mythology and Roman Mythology by Matt Clayton
Mythology: A Captivating Guide to Greek Mythology, Egyptian Mythology, Norse Mythology, Celtic Mythology and Roman Mythology is a bestselling mythology book for adults. It features captivating stories about the different gods, goddesses, and mortals. It also includes a variety of different facts about five different mythologies (Greek, Norse, Egyptian, Roman, and Celtic).
Whether you’re new to mythology or are a seasoned expert seeking a comprehensive overview, this book has got you covered. This book provides a brief yet captivating summary of some of the greatest mythologies from around the world. It also delves deep into the origins of gods and goddesses of five major mythologies. While it provides an excellent overview of the information, it does not go into further details or analyses of Greek mythology.
The first section of the book covers aspects of Greek mythology. You’ll learn about things like the birth of the Titans, the Olympian gods and how they deal with mortals, and stories of Greek heroes. This 204-page book also includes information about ancient Greek philosophers like Aristotle and Plato and historical figures like Alexander the Great.
Pros and Cons of Mythology: A Captivating Guide to Greek Mythology, Egyptian Mythology, Norse Mythology, Celtic Mythology and Roman Mythology by Matt Clayton
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| This is a bestselling mythology book for adults. | The book does not go into further details or analyses of Greek mythology. |
| It contains stories about the major gods, goddesses, and mortals from five different mythologies (Greek, Norse, Egyptian, Roman, and Celtic). | |
| This is a great, comprehensive overview of the main events and characters from Greek mythology. | |
| It provides the origins of gods and goddesses from five major mythologies. | |
| The first section of the book is dedicated to Greek mythology with information about the birth of the Titans, the Olympian gods, mortals, Greek heroes, Greek philosophers, and historical figures. | |
| It is 204 pages. |
- Includes information about five different mythologies (Greek, Norse, Egyptian, Roman, and Celtic)
- Goes into greater detail about the gods and myths, including things like the Titans
- 204-page book also includes stories on Paris of Troy and Jason and the Golden Fleece
5. Best for Children: Treasure Of Greek Mythology: Classic Stories of Gods, Goddesses, Heroes & Monsters By Donna Jo Napoli
Treasure Of Greek Mythology: Classic Stories of Gods, Goddesses, Heroes & Monsters by Donna Napoli is a beautifully illustrated bestseller for children. This book has received many awards. It was chosen as one of the best school library journal books of 2011 and one of the California Reading Association’s capital choices for noteworthy titles in 2012. It is a beautiful and captivating book for older children with various award-winning illustrations by Christina Balit.
This book includes a family tree of the different stories based on Greek mythology characters and stories. Each story also includes a descriptive sidebar by National Geographic to help navigate the different character profiles. Not only does it also provide resourceful notes, but it has an abundance of back matter that directs readers to even more fascinating information. The book’s stunning illustrations and enchanting storytelling is sure to captivate new readers and die-hard fans alike. If you are looking for a Greek mythology book for your kid with child-friendly descriptions and stories of the Greek gods, goddesses, and heroes, then this is a book worth checking out.
Pros and Cons of Treasure Of Greek Mythology: Classic Stories of Gods, Goddesses, Heroes & Monsters By Donna Jo Napoli
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| This is a bestselling book for children. | |
| It has received many awards and accolades for both the text and the illustrations. | |
| The stunning illustrations were done by award-winning artist Christina Balit. | |
| This book includes a family tree of the different stories based on Greek mythology characters and stories. | |
| Each story also includes a descriptive sidebar by National Geographic to help navigate the different character profiles. | |
| There are resourceful notes and an abundance of back matter that directs readers to even more fascinating information. |
- One of the best school library journal books of 2011.
- One of the California Reading Association's capital choices for noteworthy titles in 2012.
- Easy for kids to understand.
- Beautifully illustrated.
6. Best Fictional Collection: Percy Jackson and The Olympians by Rick Riordan
Percy Jackson and The Olympians is a best-selling fictional Greek mythology series written by Rick Riordan. The series consists of five novels that are based on a modern-day demigod named Percy Jackson, a son of the Greek god Poseidon. Percy goes through adventures with his friends that include prophecies, stories of the Greek gods and goddesses, mythical creatures, and the real-life everyday challenges of today’s teenagers.
Riordan started writing stories about Percy Jackson as a way to inspire his dyslexic son (in the series, demigods are dyslexic). As the series goes on, he includes more inclusive and diverse characters and events to speak to children who may feel left out of traditional books. Riordan’s writing is humorous and witty, and includes lots of action as well as character development and moral lessons.
This book dives into stories that include the Greek gods and goddesses. It is a great way to learn about some of the stories from Greek mythology in a fictional book with a storyline that is easy to follow. The best part about these stories is that you are being taught many of the nitty-gritty details of Greek mythology without even realizing it! The Percy Jackson series also includes fascinating snippets of history and clever references to iconic American landmarks. Both children and adults love reading Riordan’s mythological tales again and again!
Pros and Cons of Percy Jackson and The Olympians by Rick Riordan
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| This book is actually a series that includes five separate books in one single set. | |
| The story mixes real-life, modern-day teenagers with the history and mythology of ancient Greek tales. | |
| This book includes diverse characters with disabilities that show they are strong and valued. | |
| The story includes lots of action as well as character development and moral lessons. | |
| Riordan’s writing is humorous and witty. | |
| The fictional storytelling is engaging and makes it easy to understand and remember the Greek gods and goddesses and their stories. | |
| It also includes fascinating snippets of history and clever references to iconic American landmarks. | |
| Although the stories are geared toward teenagers, both young and old alike love these books. |
- Five bestselling novels compiled into one set
- An easy-to-follow and engaging storyline
- Witty, humorous storyline with diverse characters
- Mixes ancient mythology with everyday modern life
How to Choose the Right Greek Mythology Book
When choosing the right Greek mythology book for you, it is important to consider factors like whether it is a single book or a collection, the type of book, your purpose in reading the book, and the intended audience.
- Number of books
- Type
- Your purpose
- Intended audience
Number Of Books
Greek mythology is an extremely vast and detailed topic. You could read book after book and never fully learn all the information that is out there! That is why many Greek mythology books are broken up into a collection, especially if the book follows a fictional series or includes information on the different mythologies. If the Greek mythology book you choose is part of a collection, then you may want to consider buying a box set. Buying the books in a set instead of purchasing them individually because is often cheaper and it will be easier to keep track of the number of books in the collection.
Type
There are various different types of Greek mythology books. Some include information on the stories and beliefs centered around the Greek gods, goddesses, mythical creatures, and heroes. Many books include character profiles and origin information, while others are fictional books that include a main character and storyline that includes Greek mythology. If you are looking for a book that goes into the history of Greek mythology, then you want to choose one that does not follow a particular storyline and instead includes a compilation of Greek mythology stories or historical facts.
Your Purpose
Before diving into a book about mythology, it’s important to reflect on your purpose for reading it. Are you looking to expand your knowledge of ancient cultures and religions? Or are you seeking inspiration for creative writing or other artistic endeavors? By understanding your motives, you can approach the material with a clear intention and better know what type of book you are looking for. Additionally, having a purpose can help you stay engaged with the material and retain the information you’ve learned.
Intended Audience
Mythology books are written for a wide variety of target readers. They range from books for scholars who are already well-versed in the subject to casual readers who are just looking to learn about the basics. Knowing who the book was written for can mean the difference between reading a dense scholarly work with complex language or an engaging narrative. If you’re wanting a children’s book on mythology, it is best to choose one that is written for a younger audience and includes illustrations.
The 6 Best Books About Greek Mythology — Reviewed and Ranked FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
Is Greek mythology real?
Greek mythology is based on the Greek gods and goddesses who are believed to be very real by some people while they are seen as fictional stories by others. These mythological tales help us to understand what the ancient Greeks worshipped and believed. For many ancient peoples, Greek mythology gave insight into how certain things in the world were controlled and explained, especially natural forces beyond their control.
Where do I start in Greek mythology?
Rick Riordan’s Percy Jackson series is a great place to start when wanting to learn about Greek mythology. These young adult books are not only highly entertaining, but they also provide an insightful look into some of the most important gods and goddesses of Greek mythology. Some readers may find the lighthearted tone a bit juvenile, but many enjoy the engaging storytelling and vibrant characters.
However, if you want to just get an overview of the names and symbols of the gods, it may be helpful to choose an illustrated book or one with a more encyclopedic form.
What is the difference between Greek and Roman mythology?
Greek and Roman mythology are both ancient belief systems of the Mediterranean world, and there are many gods and ideas that overlap. However, Greek mythology often focuses on the relationship between humans and the gods, with many stories centering around the interactions between heroes and gods. In contrast, Roman mythology tends to be more pragmatic and places greater emphasis on the power of the state and civic duty. For example, the Greek god Zeus is seen as a powerful and capricious figure, while the Roman god Jupiter is depicted as more level-headed and judicious.
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