The Aeneid

Book Description

Robert Fagles's translations of both the Iliad and Odyssey have sold hundreds of thousands of copies and become the standard translations of our era. Now, his stunning modern verse translation of Virgil's Aeneid is poised to do the same. This beautifully produced edition of the Aeneid will be eagerly sought by readers desiring to complete their Fagles collection—and the attention it receives will stimulate even greater interest in his translations of the Iliad and the Odyssey. BACKCOVER: Praise for Robert Fagles's translation of the Odyssey:
“Wonderfully readable . . . just the right blend of sophistication and roughness, it seems to me.”
—Ted Hughes

“A memorable achievement . . . Mr. Fagles has been remarkably successful in finding a style that is of our time and yet timeless.”
—Richard Jenkyns, The New York Times Book Review

“Remarkably seductive . . . In Fagles's hands, this `perennial poem of adventure' is again a work of entertainment, of majesty and epic beauty great enough to stun the senses.”
—The Philadelphia Inquirer

Customer Reviews:

The Aeneid.......2007-10-09

I have yet to read the book, but I'm very excited about reading it. The book was in perfect condition and arrived on time.

Exactly what I thought it'd be! .......2007-09-22

The book is new, just like I ordered it, and it came within a week of my online order. Great job, Amazon!

Another atrocious Aeneid translation by an unpoetical professor.......2007-05-29

I should preface this review by saying that I am fluent in Latin (or at any rate I read it about as easily as I read English or French.)

This particular translation of the Aeneid is the worst I have ever seen. The so-called blank verse is devoid of metre, and amounts to nothing more than prose - very awkward, uninspired prose - artificially chopped up into lines of a more or less constant length. This sort of travesty has been common in English translations of the classics since the 1940's or so, but Fagles adds his own inexpressible sense of bad taste. The result is absurd rubbish.

For the benefit of monolingual anglophones, I observe that Virgil is at least equal to Shakespeare as a poet. As a stylist he is far superior. Does anyone imagine that some professor in say, Egypt, could translate Shakespeare into say, Arabic, in a way that could give Arabs a sense of just how wonderfully beautiful and moving Shakespeare is at his best? Of course not. The only example in English of a great poet being translated into really great English verse is Fitzgerald's Omar Khayyam. And Fitzgerald was a great English poet, not a professor.

In American culture however, only professors get the chance to translate the Greek and Latin classics any more, for only they know the originals well enough to attempt this. Further, English poetry is virtually dead - very few people read poetry, and even fewer have any idea of what poetry is, or how it differs from prose.

The result is the worst possible cultural climate in which to translate a sublime poet like Virgil. The translators are dull professors with no real knowledge of English poetry, no knowledge of metre or rhyme, no knowledge of the resources of English poetry, and certainly no ability to innovate in English poetry without making fools of themselves.

If you really want to gain some idea of the poetical beauty of the Aeneid, don't bother reading any modern translation, or even any of the older translations like Dryden or Gawain Douglas - they are all miserable failures - though not as embarrassingly bad as Fagles. Instead, get an English interlinear of the Aeneid and a Latin grammar, and invest a few years of your spare time in learning Latin.

Or wait for my own translation of the Aeneid....

Terrific translation.......2007-05-13

The original author was great; this translator is superb...as exciting as anything yhou can imagine. Don't get it if you think it will put you to sleep at night.

sound and action.......2007-05-07

Fagles's Aeneid is swift, vivid, and sonorous. With his translations of Homer behind him, Fagles enjoys a surety of reference that allows him--and the reader--to concentrate on the visual and auditory and intellectual action. Fagles gets a lovely running-before-the-wind feel by alternating fourteeners and hexameter, trimming the course with pentameter. Some transitional phrases seem too smooth, as if perhaps Fagles has stolen the ball, and occasionally I missed the poetic precision in the English that more delicate translations e.g. C.Day Lewis's achieve at points. Bernard Knox's introduction is interesting and moving, if hastily written. The glossary of persons/gods and places is useful and ample and in the back of the book where it can be ignored as desired. This reads wonderfully aloud, perhaps 1/2 to 1 book per evening, aloud with friends or family or by yourself. This is delectable action poetry, to take you lands away--to Rome no less.

Mythology: Timeless Tales of Gods and Heroes

Average customer rating:

not my type
Well known telling of major "tales of gods and heroes"
If you like greek mythology then buy this book
A good introduction
not bad for required reading

Mythology: Timeless Tales of Gods and Heroes
Edith Hamilton
Manufacturer: Grand Central Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

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ASIN: 0446607258

Customer Reviews:

not my type.......2007-10-09

I thought this book was so boring. I had to force myself to read it. I had to read it for school, i had to end up finding the summary so i wouldn't have to read the rest.I know that its considered a classic, i guess this was seriously not my type of book. I give it 2 stars because it could have been worst.

Well known telling of major "tales of gods and heroes".......2007-08-19

This is a long standing work on mythology. The emphasis is on Greek and Roman tales, with a too brief discussion of Norse mythology. That some of the other reviewers mention it in the same breath as Bulfinch is testimony to the volume's value.

The work features a nice introductory essay to "set up" the discussion of Greek and Roman myths. There is also a rather unsatisfying brief introduction to the underdeveloped section on Norse mythology.

The first part features "The Gods, the Creation, and the Earliest Heroes." Here, Hamilton examines the array of gods, the stories of creation, and early heroes (such as Prometheus, Europa, and Polyphemus [hero??]). Part Two explores "Stories of Love and Adventure." In this segment, Hamilton considers Cupid and Psyche, and a series of tales of love (e.g., Pyramus and Thisbe, Orpheus and Eurydice, and so on). Also, the story of the Golden Fleece is retold.

Part Three summarizes "The Great Heroes before the Trojan War," including renderings of Perseus, Theseus, and the great Hercules. Part Four, as one might have anticipated, looks at "The Heroes of the Trojan War." Hamilton spends time on a number of figures and stories, such as Paris, the fall of Troy, Odysseus' post-Troy adventures, and the travails of Aeneas.

Part Five considers "Great Families of Mythology," such as the Houses of Atreus (think Agamemnon and Iphigenia), Thebes (Cadmus, Oedipus, Antigone), and Athens. Hamilton then moves to Part Six, where she summarizes the stories of "The Less Important Myths," including Midas, Glaucus and Scylla, inter alia.

Part Seven, as already noted, is a too brief coverage of "The Mythology of the Norsemen."

And, finally, a wonderfully helpful genealogy at the end (e.g., Ancestors of Perseus and Hercules, the House of Troy, and so on).

This is well written and shows considerable erudition. There are some problems in coverage as noted, but, in the end, this is still a welcome volume.

If you like greek mythology then buy this book.......2007-08-16

I read this book of my own free will. this book is quite amazing,the detail and research she puts in is astounding. i am the kind of person to always take notes on the books i read and the extensive index she has is incredibly useful.
some people that have read this say its dry and boring, i read a lot of books and from my experience there are a lot dryer authors, and to really be a book of information, you can't expect it to be the most attention grabbing book of all time.
any way, if greek mythology is an interest of yours you will love this book.

A good introduction.......2007-06-26

I first read this book in sixth grade, and instantly fell in love with it. I loved the concept of mythology and loved how the book was written. I didn't find the boring aspects everyone else seemed to find. I devoured the book whole, and now, years later, I bought it. I was curious to see if the magic would hit me twice.

It did, in a sense. I vaguely remembered the stories, so the aspect of surprise and shock in some of the stories was ruined for me. Granted, when I first read it I was very young, but there were still some things that were more enjoyable to read the first time. Since then, I've moved onto other classic mythology books, and have found them to be very enjoyable too.

It is true, yes, that Edith Hamilton writes well, but overall the book is dry. It is true that this is a mere introduction and does not present us with every tale in the history of various mythologies (the Norse mythology section is pitifully short - I'd turn elsewhere for that). Overall, though, it's an enjoyable introduction, an easy read (if you can deal with the dryness), and an overall good book. It's convenient on the shelf and can serve you for many years to come.

A pretty good buy, but more serious readers should head towards more serious books, even if they'll be more difficult to read.

not bad for required reading.......2006-08-13

I had to read this book for humanities 9 in high school and its really good, especially for a required reading. The way the story is explained is excelled and easy to follow, except that i am horroble with names, especially forign ones so of course i had troube following, but if you can catch on to the names, you will have an enjoyable read

Average customer rating:

Excellent Rendition of a Classic
A Stone Waste!
A classic of Western literature that is often a fun read (or listen)
Translation and reading great, pity the original isn't
Wonderful read...annoying listen.

The Aeneid
Virgil
Manufacturer: Penguin Audio
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: 0143059025
Release Date: 2006-11-02

Book Description

The much-anticipated new translation of Virgil's epic poem from the award-winning translator of Homer's Iliad and Odyssey.

Unabridged CDs - 10 CDs, 12.5 hours

Customer Reviews:

Excellent Rendition of a Classic.......2007-07-26

I don't think that anyone could ask for a better presentation of Virgil's classic. Fagles's translation is scintillating. When I listen to a work like this I generally simultaneously read or consult a number of translations, and Fagles definitely has created a wondrous and exceptional work in English. Simon Callow's rendition is simultaneously exhilarating and haunting. Highly recommended.

A Stone Waste!.......2007-07-26

I understand that many readers in the United States find Robert Fagles' translation easy to read. Some likely appreciate his use of colloquialisms. A reader with a European accent surely wasn't the best choice for this translation.

Most importantly, Penguin should never have allowed this audio book to leave its shop in the present condition. Sometimes Mr. Callow was so loud that my ears hurt and at other times he sort of muttered. Some of his presentation was enjoyable, but I gave up on the second CD. I use a reasonably good sound system to listen to audio books and have never before had such difficulty.

A classic of Western literature that is often a fun read (or listen).......2007-06-13

This is a review of the CD audio book version of Robert Fagles' translation of Virgil's Aeneid.

Victorian Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli once quipped, "My wife is a lovely woman, but she can never remember which came first: the Greeks or the Romans." The Greeks "came first" in two senses. Their civilization produced great works of literature, philosophy and art when Rome was still a primitive village, and although the Romans later conquered the Greek world their cultural achievements never quite matched those of Greece, and they knew it.

The Aeneid is an epic poem that tells the story of Aeneas, a Trojan who flees his city as it is being sacked by the Greeks. (The story of the Trojan Horse is actually not in the Iliad, but there is a moving account of it in the Aeneid.) Aeneas wanders for many years and eventually comes to Italy and founds what becomes Roman civilization. Aeneas is thus conquered by the Greeks, but founds the civilization that will conquer them. And this poem about Aeneas is meant to rival the Iliad (with its accounts of battles) and the Odyssey (with its accounts of the wanderings of its hero on his way home).

The Aeneid is also a commentary on the politics of the era in which it was composed. Virgil lived in the time when the Roman Republic had come to an end and Octavian had succeeded Caesar as emperor. Aeneas is the supposed founder of the Roman royal line, so in honoring him Virgil is honoring his patron. And Octavian came to power only after a period of warfare (just like Aeneas). Further parallels are provided by the relationship between Aeneas and Dido, Queen of Carthage. Aeneas and Dido fall in love, and he is tempted to stay with her. But he remembers his sacred duty to found a new empire in Italy, so he leaves her behind. (I don't want to spoil the story for you, but what happens with Dido after Aeneas leaves her is one of the most famous parts of the Aeneid.) Carthage was a city that fought two wars with Rome. (Remember Hannibal leading the elephants over the alps? That was the Carthaginians.) So Aeneas's psychological victory over the temptations of Carthage foreshadows the later conflict between the empires. Furthermore, Octavian's rule was secure only after he defeated Mark Anthony. Mark Anthony allowed himself to be seduced by a foreign queen (Cleopatra in this case). So in showing Aeneas's resolve against the temptations of a foreign queen, Virgil is condemning Octavian's opponent.

The Aeneid is considered one of the greatest works (perhaps THE greatest) of Latin literature. It was so highly esteemed that it was sometimes used as a book of divination: you opened it up to a random page and stuck your finger on a line, which was your "fortune." (I tried it: apparently I am going to be shot dead with an arrow by a goddess.)

As a story, I find the Aeneid good but uneven. Parts of it are quite gripping. In addition to some of the events I've mentioned, the account of Aeneid's visit to the underworld, and the poetically appropriate punishments that the vicious receive, is engaging. We can see why Dante was so inspired by it that, in the Divine Comedy, he makes Virgil be his guide through Hell. At his worst, though, Virgil can be a bit bombastic. This isn't helped by the actor who reads the text for this audio book. His delivery reminds one of a stodgy British professor delivering a commencement address.

The CD case includes a booklet with the introduction to Fagles' translation by classicist Bernard Knox. This is very helpful, situating Virgil in his time, summarizing the poem (I found this useful as a review after having listened to the whole thing), and offering some personal reflections on the meaning Virgil has for him.

In the final analysis, the Aeneid is very good, but not as great as the Iliad or the Odyssey. I guess the Greeks do still "come first."

Translation and reading great, pity the original isn't.......2007-05-12

This is by far the best translation of The Aeneid I have found. And the reading suits the translation and Virgil's intentions. But the original Latin work is over-ornamented, derivative, very violent (likely the highest body count of any ancient epic), and pure propaganda for Augustus. The main character is totally without personality. It was written for the entertainment of educated pampered Romans reveling in their triumph over the rest of the world. That being said, this is a classic of Western Literature and has been widely praised for centuries. It (literally) speaks volumes about the Romans of this period! One is uneducated unless he or she knows this work and this audio version is the most painless way to approach it. Unfortunately, Virgil isn't Homer and this epic lacks much found in the Greek epics.

The translator has given us the real Virgil in English. And it is neat to know how to pronounce all those ancient names that I have been stumbling over for years.

Wonderful read...annoying listen........2007-04-27

5 stars for the translation: The meaning and context is clearly understandable and easily readable. Mandelbaum's translation was very good. The Fitzgerald translation was passable. I always felt that Fitzgerald "rewrote" the Aeneid in a style HE thought should have been written. Fagles' translation does justice to Virgil in that Fagles has translated it in a style and manner more closely to what Virgil orginally wrote.

MINUS 2 stars: voicing and voice characterization
This is the most annoying aspect of this reading. Simon Callow is no George Guidall or Frank Muller as fans of recordedbooks will quickly notice.

Callow's voice characterization can only be described as high screechy/wailing and raspy for female reading parts. This includes all harpies, sibyls and most disappointing of all Dido. He just seems to use the same characterization for all of them and it gets rather tiresome quickly. And to top it off, sometimes he starts in this high screeching raspy voice and then reverts to his stentorian Shakespearean voice for the rest of the part.

Most disappointing considering that Simon Callow does have a very forceful dramatic voice when he reads in his own style. I just wish he had used it for the entire read.

MINUS 1 star: Voice dynamics
His voice dynamics is uneven...sometimes his voice is booming and at other times it is almost at an inaudible whisper. I listen to this in my car and I find that I have to rewind numerous times to hear what he said.

Summary: Until there is a better audio - read the poem instead and let your imagination take you to a time and place long gone but whose hero's travails are somehow relevant to this time and place. I guess that's why this poem is still being read today.

Average customer rating:

Cuchulainn
Unoriginal
Very Interesting
Best of Ancient Mythology
Much easier to read than the direct translations

The Tain

Manufacturer: Oxford University Press, USA
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0192803735

Book Description

The Tain Bo Cuailnge, centre-piece of the eighth-century Ulster cycle of heroic tales, is Ireland's greatest epic. It tells the story of a great cattle-raid, the invasion of Ulster by the armies of Medb and Ailill, queen and king of Connacht, and their allies, seeking to carry off the great Brown Bull of Cuailnge. The hero of the tale is Cuchulainn, the Hound of Ulster, who resists the invaders single-handed while Ulster's warriors lie sick. Thomas Kinsella presents a complete and living version of the story. His translation is based on the partial texts in two medieval manuscripts, with elements from other versions, and adds a group of related stories which prepare for the action of the Tain. Illustrated with brush drawings by Louis le Brocquy, this edition provides a combination of medieval epic and modern art.

Customer Reviews:

Cuchulainn.......2007-06-15

To keep it short and sweet this is a must read for anyone interested in Irish history and culture, Celtic Heathenry, Odinism, mythology or general Celtic studies. One of the most essential texts for learning about any of these things but besides that the saga of Cuchulainn is a great entertaining story too.

Unoriginal.......2005-10-05

Lots of killing but not a very deep story and it just keeps going and going.

Very Interesting.......2005-08-01

This is a very readable translation of a major pre-Christian Irish epic. Conventionally translated as the Cattle Raid of Cooley, The Tain is the story of a raid into the Kingdom of Ulster by the warriors of Connacht led by their King and Queen. The epic itself is presented with some ancillary tales that introduce several of the major figures in The Tain. Several aspects are similar to the Iliad and other epics originating in non-literate societies. There is the prominence of individual warrior-heroes, usually figures with semi-divine attributes. Most of the action consists of individual combats and the language features repetive poetic figures, a strong emphasis on description of weapons and individual possessions, and generally patriarchal mores. While the language is interesting, this is certainly not the poetic masterpiece that the Iliad is. The most interesting aspect is the role of Medb, usually translated as Maeve, the Queen of Connacht. While the world of the Tain is clearly a strongly patriarchial society, Medb is a powerful monarch, essentially co-equal in authority with her husband and his superior in charisma. She is independent even in sexual matters. Well worth reading.

Best of Ancient Mythology.......2004-04-01

This is one of the greatest mythological tales recorded. Unlike what the summary says, it is not the 'closest thing Ireland has to a national epic'. The Irish national epic would be the Leabhar Gabhala, the Book of Invasions, or possible the Fenian Cycle. It is the certainly the great epic of Ulster, however, and I don't mean to reduce it at all.
The literary wealth, the humor, violent single combat, and glimpse into Gaelic culture makes this a must-read for anyone who wants to understand the ancient (and modern) Irish.
Beir bua!

Much easier to read than the direct translations.......2002-08-16

This is a great story.

Average customer rating:

Beauty
Great for intro. to Greek Mythology
Greek Myths
Bedtime read
Get them started early

Greek Myths for Young Children

Manufacturer: Usborne Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0746037252

Customer Reviews:

Beauty.......2007-09-26

This book is both lovely to look at and to read - it was a wonderful gift that our expecting friends adored, as I am sure their baby boy will for years to come.

Great for intro. to Greek Mythology.......2007-08-16

I bought this book for my 5 year old and she absolutely loves it! The stories contain just enough detail to interest her, but not overwhelm her.

Greek Myths.......2007-08-05

This is a good introduction to Greek Myths for kids. The myths are short and easy to follow. My daughter is six and she frequently requests this book for her bedtime reading.

Bedtime read.......2007-07-20

My almost 5 year old daughter loves the stories in this book. She gives it her undivided attention and always wants to read the next story.

Get them started early.......2006-08-21

This is a great book for the 6 - 10 age group. Younger kids may need some bits explained "Mummy, what's a gorgon?" And older kids will already know these popular myths and can go on to more advanced translations. The illustrations are simple and effective with a different border theme for each story. My only gripe is that not all the characters were drawn, mostly they were but some like Helen and Narcissus weren't. The language is age appropriate and the stories move along at a lively pace. Be warned Heracles and Odysseus will require three or four bedtimes to get through.

D'Aulaires' Book of Trolls (New York Review Children's Collection)

Average customer rating:

It *IS* a worthy choice for pre-schoolers!
D'Aulaires' Book of Trolls
Charmed
Roll with the Troll
A work of art!

D'Aulaires' Book of Trolls (New York Review Children's Collection)
Ingri D'Aulaire , and Edgar D'Aulaire
Manufacturer: NYR Children's Collection
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 1590172175
Release Date: 2006-10-17

Book Description

In this spectacular follow-up to their beloved Book of Norse Myths, the husband-and-wife team of Ingri and Edgar Parin d’Aulaire explore the uncanny reaches of Norse mythology, an enchanted night-world populated by trolls of all kinds—mountain trolls, forest trolls, trolls who live underwater and trolls who live under bridges, uncouth, unkempt, unbreakable, unforgettable, and invariably unbelievably ugly trolls—who work their wiles and carry on in the most bizarre and entertaining fashions.

With their matchless talent as storytellers and illustrators, the d’Aulaires bring to life the weird and wonderful world of Norse mythology.

Customer Reviews:

It *IS* a worthy choice for pre-schoolers!.......2007-09-09

As someone who is trying to cultivate a love of literature AND a lengthy attention span in my homeschooled children, I *did* purchase this for my pre-schooler and he sat happily through the entire book (3 evenings worth of reading for us). The d'Aulaire illustrations were, as always, engaging, soft, and encouraging to the child's imagination. Detailed without taking over the telling of the tales. Basically, it covered all of my criteria to be purchased: well written and if it has illustrations they need to be worthy of the story and worth looking at.

The down side to this book is that it is in some ways a long treatise on trolls that happens to include some stories as examples. This means that your child ends the book having been exposed to a lot of the folk beliefs of Scandinavian trolls, with a limited number of stories, and that it doesn't simple cut-off points for bedtime reading. On the other hand, it means it is a book worth revisiting as a child grows older; in our case so our children will be versed in the folklore and belief of their ancestors. A simpler bedtime book with lovely woodblock illustrations would be Lise Lunge-Larsen's "The Troll with No Heart in His Body." It is a collection of the stories with very brief intros that can be included or omitted according to the moment (at bedtime with my pre-schooler I tend to leave them out; when reading during the day I am more likely to include them).

I'm not really suggesting one book over the other. In a search for either cultural literacy or multiculturalism, both have their place and are both well told, well illustrated and will add to your child's imaginative landscape.

D'Aulaires' Book of Trolls.......2007-05-12

Thanks for the quick shipping! The book is in perfect condition as described.

Charmed.......2007-01-24

My grandsons loved this book. The illustrations are beautiful and the tales are quaint. We will be certain to treasure this book for years.

Roll with the Troll.......2005-08-03

A great read filled with colorful illustrations & all the usual excitement you'd expect to find in a troll adventure. Of course, there is also a beautiful princess to be rescued. I don't know why Amazon lists the reading level as "baby, pre-school"!!! No baby or pre-schooler would sit through the first page. Maybe the illustrations would interest that group, but the amount of reading is far too lengthy. As a "read alone" book, I would say it is best suited for grades 3 and up.

A work of art!.......2001-07-12

This was one of my favorite books as a child. I checked it out of the library over and over . The pictures just seem to come to life, the stories are enchanting. A must have for troll collectors. I purchased a copy at long last! Thanks Amazon

Because God Loves Stories: An Anthology of Jewish Storytelling

Average customer rating:

Stories from all walks of American- Jewish life
These are stories to love!
Because we love stories...
Captures Jewish "philosophy of life" if there is one.

Because God Loves Stories: An Anthology of Jewish Storytelling

Manufacturer: Fireside
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0684811758

Book Description

An exciting new treasury of Jewish stories and storytellers, from ancient tales and classics re-imagined to contemporary family stories, parables, and humor

"Why were human beings created?" goes a traditional Jewish saying. "Because God loves stories." Storytelling has been part of Jewish religion and custom from earliest times and it remains a defining aspect of Jewish life. In Because God Loves Stories, folklorist Steve Zeitlin assembles the work of thirty-six Jewish storytellers, each of whom spins tales that express his or her own distinctive visions of Jewish culture. Contemporary storytellers re-interpret stories from the Talmud for modern sensibilities, the Grand Rabbi of Bluzhov tells tales of the Holocaust, beloved comedian Sam Levenson regales readers with hilarious vignettes of Jewish life in America, and much more.

Customer Reviews:

Stories from all walks of American- Jewish life.......2006-04-03

The idea of the anthology is a good one, though I wished it had included more stories about 'Eretz Yisrael' which is after all the center of Jewish yearning for generations. The work focuses on American- Jewish stories and storytellers, although of course many touch upon Old World experiences. The storytellers themselves come from a variety of walks of life, some being professional storytellers, some well- known Jewish cultural figures and some being ' everyman' . The stories often have a folk quality about them, and are often entertaining, and instructive.
However the stories also point up the difference between stories which are stories in the street, anecdotal stories, and stories which are more complex literary creations. In this I think stories of the folk kind cannot possibly have the kind of aesthetic value that for instance a written story of Bashevis Singer might have.

These are stories to love!.......2005-08-30

It`s an amazing book. After I bought it I couldn`t stop reading until I was through! Amazingly funny, poetic, inspiring and touching stories, from the first one to the last one. Good source - let`s say, a sampler - of Jewish wisdom. The book resides on my bedside table now - in case I need some inspiration for good dreams...

Because we love stories..........2000-02-15

What a joy to read this anthology! In a world where the media is constantly on our nerves with the ever-going show of human misery, to read this set of stories is a therapy. It makes you laugh, it makes you wonder, it brings you closer to God and His creation, it revives a deep-rooted "jewishness" that we seldom are aware off or have simple forgotten. It makes you feel like a child savoring his favorite ice cream: when it is finished, he cries out for more!

Captures Jewish "philosophy of life" if there is one........1997-12-21

It is said that when three Jews have a discussion they will have at least four opinions, so there may not be any such thing as a Jewish outlook on, or philosophy of, life itself. But if there is, Because God Loves Stories captures its flavor. This is a collection of tales, memories, family stories, and anecdotes -- most of them short, and all of them fascinating -- that captures the tension and conflict between demanding the sweetness of the ideal world from God (who should certainly understand it the way WE do) while grudgingly, cynically, and mockingly accepting the frequent bitterness (or at least the tartness) of reality. It is a collection that shows how one can see humans as made in the image of God while still being fallible, troublesome, and even sinful, and that shows Jews loving God while being poignantly aware of the disappointments in much of His work, and letting Him know about it.

Customer Reviews:

A collection of childrens' stories.......2007-05-22

This is a collection of stories for children that are both entertaining and also introduces them to the world of ethics.

Great Stories.......2007-01-09

This book is great for kids 9 and over. I got for my son who is 8 and for his school reading he likes to read those stories. Though he likes to hear the same stories from the younger kids version of the same book when I read to his brother.

A treasure chest of wonderful stories........1999-11-02

A book of encouraging stories and poems for our young generation to teach them everything from self-discipline, responsibility, honesty, loyalty etc. Read when George Washington was 14 year's old he wrote 110 best ways to act around people, he called it the "Rules of Civility". Read Walt Whitman's ode to Abe Lincoln, and my favourite by Frank Crane, entittled "Boy Wanted". Though the tittle of this book refers "for Young People" I think adults can without a doubt learn as well. I certainly have and I am in my fifth decade of my life.

Arthur of the French: The Arthurian Legend in Medieval French and Occitan Literature (Arthurian Literature in the Middle Ages)

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Arthur of the French: The Arthurian Legend in Medieval French and Occitan Literature (Arthurian Literature in the Middle Ages)

Manufacturer: University of Wales Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

French | World Literature | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 0708319645

Book Description

This major reference work is the fourth volume in the series Arthurian Literature in the Middle Ages. Its intention is to update the French and Occitan chapters in R.S. Loomis’s Arthurian Literature in the Middle Ages: A Collaborative History (Oxford, 1959) and to provide a volume which will serve the needs of students and scholars of Arthurian literature. The principal focus is the production, dissemination and evolution of Arthurian material in French and Occitan from the twelfth to the fifteenth century. Beginning with a substantial overview of Arthurian manuscripts, the volume covers writing in both verse (Wace, the Tristan legend, Chrétien de Troyes and the Grail Continuations, Marie de France and the anonymous lays, the lesser known romances) and prose (the Vulgate Cycle, the prose Tristan, the Post-Vulgate Roman du Graal, etc.). Chapters are also devoted to manuscript compilations, late medieval Arthurian literature, the Arthurian tradition in Occitan literature and Arthur in modern French fiction and film. The contributors provide authoritative summaries of recent research in the field, including aspects such as the intertextuality of Arthurian literature and the socio-political and cultural context of Arthurian works. Each text or author is treated in a sufficiently independent way for the reader to be able to use the volume as a work of reference.

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Translation is too loose
Thank you
The Best Stories in the World
Reviews from California : Repasos de California
Puerto Rico's Tales & Legends in One Book

Stories from Puerto Rico
Robert L. Muckley , and Adela Martinez-Santiago
Manufacturer: McGraw-Hill
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0844204021

Book Description

Dive into the tales of Puerto Rico--in Spanish and in English!

In Stories from Spain/Historias de Puerto Rico, we've placed the Spanish and English stories side by side--lado a lado--so you can practice and improve your reading skills in your new language while enjoying the support of your native language. This way, you'll avoid the inconvenience of constantly having to look up unfamiliar words and expressions in a dictionary. Read as much as you can understand, and then look to the facing page for help. As you read, you can check your comprehension by comparing the two versions of the story. You'll also find a bilingual vocabulary list at the end of the book, so you'll have a handy reference for new words.

Stories from Spain/Historias de Puerto Rico allows you to explore the island's rich history. It includes 18 well-known Puerto Rican legends that stretch from the dawn of creation to the twentieth century. These tales will introduce you to an array of characters as dynamic and colorful as the country that gave birth to them. Animals, indigenous peoples, conquistadors, spiritual beings, and extraterrestrials are among those who will make these pages come alive for you! As you read these stories side by side, you will be not only fine-tuning your language skills but also gaining insight into the rich cultural heritage of the Puerto Rican people.

Customer Reviews:

Translation is too loose.......2007-07-06

This is the second "Side-by-Side" book I have read.
I prefer the first, "Stories from Latin America,"
because the editors of that volume better understood
their purpose -- which is to present side-by-side versions
of the same story, such that a reader conversant in one
language but not the other, may learn new vocabulary, verify
verb tense, etc. If one looks at the back cover of "Stories
from Puerto Rico," one sees that it says there that "we've
placed the Spanish and English stories side by side -- lado a
lado -- so you can practice and improve your reading skills in your
new language while enjoying the support of your native language.
That way, you'll avoid the inconvenience of constantly having to
look up unfamiliar words and expressions in a dictionary."
Well, you had better have a dictionary handy if you plan to
learn from this book. I have been exasperated time and again by
English translations that are too loose to be useful. If one is
translating for the purpose of conveying the sense and spirit of
a story, then a precise word-for-word translation is unnecessary.
However, this book is designed for language students who are trying
to learn a foreign language. A precise translation is just what's
needed, and I think it's what was promised on that back cover. Yet,
this is not what the book delivers. Let me give an example. There
are many to choose from. This one appears on page 117. Here's the
Spanish version:

"No sabemos si existió, ni dónde, ni cuándo, pero sus desventuras
han hecho reír a generaciones de puertoriquenos. A continuación
encontrará una versión de una historia de Juan Bobo." [I've omitted
the diacritical mark on the "n" in puertoriquenos, but it's there in
the text.]

Now here's the English version of the same sentences:

"We don't know if he really existed, or where, or when, but his
misadventures have entertained generations of Puerto Ricans. The
following is one version of a story about Foolish Jack."

Here now is my problem with the English translation. First, the
word "entertained." The Spanish word translated is "reír." The
Spanish word means "to laugh." Why didn't the translator give us
the precise translation? The clause should read, "his adventures have made generations of
Puerto Ricans laugh." What's wrong with this more precise translation?
Had I not recognized that the Spanish verb is similar to the French
for "laugh" (which I know already), then I might not have bothered
to look the word up. I might have assumed that "reír" means "to
entertain." It does not. My second problem with the English translation
has to do with the last sentence. The Spanish verb "encontrará" is
simply not translated. As though that weren't bad enough, the tense
has been changed from future to present. As a person trying to learn
Spanish (that's why I bought this book), I want to know the meaning and
tense of "encontrará." The Spanish sentence should have been translated
as follows: "Following, you will find a version of one story about Juan
Bobo." Is that so hard? What did the translator think he was doing?
What did he think his purpose was?

This book still has value, and that's why I give it three stars. The
English translation helps convey the general sense of a sentence, and
that is usually enough to help the reader fill in the gaps. However,
a dictionary is still required -- especially since some of the Spanish
vocabulary in not included in the glossary.

A very sloppy job of editing. "Stories from Latin America" is better
done.

Thank you.......2007-01-12

This was a present for my friend whos is Puerto Rician he loved the book.

The Best Stories in the World.......2005-09-03

I recommend this book to all people, especially the Puerto Ricans, because it talks about our roots, our culture and our different ethnic origins. After you read this book you will understand our Spanish people more, know about our needs and be more understandable of Puerto Rican people.

My best regards to Robert L. Muckley and Adela Martínez-Santiago for their great job in this wonderful book.

Reviews from California : Repasos de California.......2000-08-27

I found this book to be very helpful in two important ways: widening my perspective of Latin culture, and bettering my Spanish reading comprehension. The 18 stories are each short enough to keep the reader interested in the story, but filled with enough vocabulary to keep him or her constantly learning. Plus, the reader that is a little shaky can use the opposite page in English as a crutch, and there is also an index of vocabulary in the back of the book if one would prefer that approach. I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to further their vocabulary, while at the same time broaden their cultural perspective.

Puerto Rico's Tales & Legends in One Book.......2000-08-06

As a compilation of 18 legends, true-life experiences, and mysteries, "Stories from Puerto Rico," provides that reader with a wide array of stories all relating to the island's folklore and supernatural occurrences. The book's bilingual text, allowing both English and Spanish-language readers to enjoy these tales and accounts. The chronological order of these stories also is beneficial to classify which legends/accounts are recent and which are from the Spanish-colonial era. The tales in this book goes as follows:

(1) Creation {Pre-Colombian tale}: Discusses the Taino Indians (original island inhabitants) belief on how their gods created the Antilles.

(2) The Death of Salcedo {1511}: True-life tale of the murder of a Spanish conquistador by the Tainos, who wanted to determine whether or not he was a god. The drowning of this man in an island river helped the natives realize that the Spaniards were not from heaven.

(3) Guanina {1511}: A legend similar to a Puerto Rican version of Romeo & Juliet. Spanish conquistador-Taina love story ending in tragedy.

(4) The Miracles of Our Lady of Monserrate {1600}: The apparition of the Virgin in the town of Hormigueros caused many to build a shrine in her honor. Similar to the apparition of the Virgin in Lourdes and Fatima, this one was different because it involved the image of the Virgin of Monserrate, the black virgin who is the patron saint of Catalonia (Spain).

(5) The Snake's Curve {1700}: a legend involving a witch's curse that turned a woman from the town of Guayama into a snake.

(6) The Devil's Sentry Box {1790}: A legend that took place in San Juan involving the disappearances of several Spanish soldiers guarding the city from a Sentry House near San Cristobal Castle.

(7) & (8) Cofresi, Parts I & II {1824}: A tale of a Puerto Rican "Robin Hood". The tale is divided into two chapters.

(9) Carabali {1830}: An account of a slave fleeing from Spanish slavery.

(10) Lola de America {1858}: The life of Lola Rodriguez de Tio, one of Puerto Rico's most famous poets, and the author of the island's national anthem..

(11) Elena of the Holy Mountain (1900): The apparition of this ghostly figure in the town of San Lorenzo uses warns people of an impending storm.

(12) Esperanza (1910): The legend revolving a statue of a dog on a San Juan beach.

(13) Guayama, Witch City (1940): A report on witchcraft activities in the town of Guayama.

(14) The Miraculous Well (1953): The reported sighting of the Virgin Mary in the town of Sabana Grande, who appeared to a group of schoolchildren to tell them that the water from a well would have miraculous healing powers.

(15) The Specter (1970): The reported sightings of a ghost in the town of Patillas.

(16) Extraterrestrials (1975): Actual accounts of alien and UFO encounters throughout the island.

The final section of the book contains the popular folklore tales of Foolish Jack" ("Juan Bobo) and "Friend Rabbit" ("Compadre Conejillo"), which are well-known throughout the island. The author also includes a brief history of the island's original inhabitants, the Tainos, as well as a bilingual Spanish-English dictionary for reference. This book makes an excellent book for anyone interested in Puerto Rican culture and/or who wants to learn either Spanish or English using side-by-side texts. The author has done a great job of capturing most of the island's tales all in one book!

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