The Greek Myths That Shape the Way We Think

' Promethean and Herculean : everyday words in our English language but they evoke a wealth of mythical associations when one delves back - as Richard Buxton does so brilliantly - into their ancient Greek origins. Buxton's adroit selection of ancient myths to re-tell is perfectly suited to explaining as well as narrating these stories' enduring charm' - Paul Cartledge, A.G. Leventis Professor of Greek Culture emeritus, University of Cambridge 'In his exquisitely written and beautifully illustrated new book, Professor Buxton takes us on an enchanting journey through three millennia of the lives and afterlives of Greek myths, of telling and retelling, appropriation, subversion and reinvention. No-one has better conveyed these stories' bearing on our XXIst century minds, whether we debate our origins or futures, relationships between genders or between species, or the dilemmas of love, politics and choice. With great passion, humour and empathy, Buxton has made these eternal tales his own and in the process made them ours all over again. A must-read for all ages' - Kalypso Nicolaidis, Professor of International Relations, University of Oxford 'A stunning survey and a convincing argument for myths' continuing ability to speak to us, this masterly and insightful work should inspire students and general readers alike' - Library Journal 'This is simply the best lucid and scholarly guide available ... very well written, with a romping sense of irony and fun, and rapid but very comfortable pace. If there is a body of mythology which really has shaped our lives, along with the whole of Western civilisation, then this is it, and if there is a book on the stocks at present which most effectively and enjoyably shapes an appreciation of why that is, then this one is it as well' - Ronald Hutton