Homer

The Best of Homer's Odyssey

The Best of Homer's Odyssey contains the whole of Homer's Odyssey in translated and narrative summary form. In addition to the great epic poem, there is an informative introduction-presenting "Basic Facts about Homer" and "The Big Themes and Ideas of the Odyssey"-as well as "Other Matters of Interest Related to Homer," including "The Cast of Gods and Men," maps of Odysseus' and Telemachus' journeys, summaries of each book, a glossary of Homeric Greek terms, and suggestions for further reading. Moreover, there is a section offering "Points of Wisdom & Ways of Practice"-a chance to apply and practice Homeric wisdom in your own life.

Go back a few thousand years and Homer's Odyssey was a perennial blockbuster. That's because Homer himself was the one everyone turned to for entertainment, education, and inspiration. A scholar once claimed that "if a Greek owned any books-that is, papyrus rolls-he was almost as likely to own the Iliad and the Odyssey as anything from the rest of Greek literature." Homer was Greece's chief educator and coach; he shaped Greek feelings, thoughts, and behavior.

Homer is celebrated today for the Odyssey, a sweeping epic poem that tells the story of Odysseus' harrowing return home after the Trojan War and his epic battle against the suitors. The archetypal voyager, Odysseus endures countless heartaches and hardships during his journey home, confronting gods, monsters, and men, all out to harm him. He faces himself, as well-his desire to give up before reaching his goal.

What now? Drag your hollow ship into the wine-faced sea, raise the sail, and get ready to voyage into an ancient world full of monsters and gods, enemies and friends, strange lands and home. Welcome to Homer's Odyssey!
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