O Livro de Ouro da Mitologia (1855)

A most enjoyable collection on mythology, even though at times the stories were severely edited with one eye on Victorian sensibilities and another on space. One of the best parts of this volume were the quotations from writers that referenced the people and actions in the included myths. I loved the entries from Milton, Byron, Shelley, and Gray. While this is a good book, it's still important to engage with the original sources, many of which are very accessible. Homer, Hesiod and Ovid cover so much, and there are wonderful translations out there (Caroline Alexander, Dorothea Wender, and Charles Martin, respectively).

My favorite Greek entry was the story of Phaëton and the chariot of the Sun (p. 46-53). Two non-Greek items from northern mythology were really exciting. The first was of the Valkyries, female warriors from Norse mythology. The story says that light emanated from their armor as they rode through the sky, and this shimmering was the aurora borealis, i.e. the "Northern Lights". So cool! Also, I really enjoyed the story of a visit to the Giant's country (Jotunheim) (pp. 351-357). His description of the contests of Thor and his companions was excellent. I loved the comparisons to battling Fire, Thought, the Sea and Old Age (p. 356). ( )

Probably the most definitive book on Greek and Roman mythology, but don’t try to read the book in one setting. Bullfinch does add Norse, Asian and Egyptian mythology as well, although those sections are much smaller than Greek and Roman mythology ( )

Hardback, cover as shown

More modern treatments of mythology might correct historical errors or fill in gaps in the stories, but this was a very interesting view of the early scholarly work in the field. Troy had not even been discovered by Schliemann when Bulfinch compiled this work. Slavery still existed in the United States. Yet the descriptions are sufficient for the overview that was intended. Bulfinch relates each chapter to their references in literature with verses from T. K. Harvey, Moore, Keats, Byron, and Shakespeare. Many of those references are to poets whose popularity has long since disappeared, but the contrast of that to the longevity of the mythology is worth some thought. In the 1942 edition that I read, the illustrations by Stanley William Hayter were a bonus. If you find this edition in a used book store somewhere, buy it. ( )

Very good summary of a lot of mythology. I would recommend it for anyone who likes mythology or wants a good overview. ( )