- Hardcover: 96 pages
- Publisher: Interlink Pub Group (Oct 30 2003)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 1566565316
- ISBN-13: 978-1566565318
- Product Dimensions: 27.4 x 23.7 x 1.5 cm
- Shipping Weight: 767 g
- Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: #1,486,654 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Product Details |
Product Description
From School Library Journal
Grade 4-8–Crete offers an effective site to stage the Greek myths, although a few figures assume unusual importance here. An informative introduction connects the myths with the political struggles between Minoans and Greeks, and a few details about Cretan history and ritual are worked into the stories. In 13 tales, Oberman covers the high spots, whether indirectly (creation, Jason and Medea) or as a main event: Cronos, Zeus, Europa, Minos, Theseus, Daedalus, and Icarus. Chapters are linked for narrative impetus, but background is repeated when necessary so that each tale is self-contained. The author adds fairy-tale touches and soft-pedals the brutality. There are some omissions (Persephone, Psyche, Atalanta, Artemis, Orpheus, and Eurydice are among the missing). The myths end with the destruction of Thera (Atlantis), followed by an account of Arthur Evans's discovery of Knossos. The glossary is good, but gives no pronunciation help. Colorful illustrations punctuate the large pages of text, but are not in the mode of the narrative. The nonhuman figures are modern and gripping, with a Picasso-esque bull and a mazelike background to the Minotaur, for instance. Human figures are cartoonishly distorted, with little effort to use Minoan motifs, dress, artifacts, etc. While the author takes the stories seriously, the illustrator somewhat undercuts them. Nevertheless, the discordant pages are relatively few. This volume should compete successfully with the many myth retellings available.–Patricia D. Lothrop, St. George's School, Newport, RI
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Book Description
This chapter book of Greek myths presents the epic history of the Minoan civilization. The novel connects famous myths; Zeus and Rhea, Theseus, Ariadne and the Minotaur, Icarus and Daedalus, Jason and Medea with little known tales of the Bronze Giant, Phaedra and the Ash tree spirits.Island of the Minotaur weaves together the famous and the forgotten myths of the mysterious Minoans of Crete. Their island empire was obliterated by earthquakes and volcanic eruptions but their clever puzzles and riddling tales were rescued by the Greeks and became an essential part of Greek mythology. Now these tales are retold as one continuous story in this exciting book. Here is the Minotaur roaring in its Labyrinth, winged Icarus flying towards the sun and Theseus struggling with the deadly witch Medea as he tries to save his father and all Athens from her poisonous spell. Here are the Ash Tree Spirits, Talus the Bronze Giant and Phaedra, the last great Queen of Crete and doomed Atlantis. Here, too, is Sir Arthur Evans who, thousands of years later, discovers and solves the buried secrets of the Minoans so they can finally be told today.
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Customer Reviews
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Most helpful customer reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
An engaging compendium of ancient tales,
By Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Island of the Minotaur: Greek Myths of Ancient Crete (Hardcover)
Presented by Sheldon Oberman, Island Of The Minotaur: Greek Myths Of Ancient Crete presents classic tales including the story of the deadly Minotaur that roamed the terrible Labyrinth, the winged boy Icarus who flew too close to the sun, Theseus' struggles against the ruthless witch Medea, and much more. A final, true tale of Sir Arthur Evans, a real-life treasure hunter who discovered the buried secrets of the ancient Minoan civilization adds a particularly welcome embellishment to this outstanding compilation of Hellenic mythology. Full-color illustrations by Blair Drawson well serve to highlight this engaging compendium of ancient tales told down the generations from antiquity to the present day.
4.0 out of 5 stars
It's Greek to me!,
By
This review is from: Island of the Minotaur: Greek Myths of Ancient Crete (Hardcover)
Sheldon Oberman draws various Greek legends together in a neat package that is suitable for young children (8 and above) to get their first taste of gods, goddesses, heroes and monsters. Adults, too, should enjoy the book, which is a fast read and a refresher on several key stories. The stories are written clearly and plainly, suitable for young readers without being dumbed down so much to insult them. Illustrations by Blair Drawson are colorful, exaggerated and humorous. Island of the Minotaur is a fun and informative reinterpretation of these ancient myths for a new generation of readers.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta) Amazon.com:
4.7 out of 5 stars (3 customer reviews) 3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars
It's Greek to me!,
By Tom Knapp "Rambles.NET editor" - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: Island of the Minotaur: Greek Myths of Ancient Crete (Hardcover)
Sheldon Oberman draws various Greek legends together in a neat package that is suitable for young children (8 and above) to get their first taste of gods, goddesses, heroes and monsters. Adults, too, should enjoy the book, which is a fast read and a refresher on several key stories. The stories are written clearly and plainly, suitable for young readers without being dumbed down so much to insult them. Illustrations by Blair Drawson are colorful, exaggerated and humorous. Island of the Minotaur is a fun and informative reinterpretation of these ancient myths for a new generation of readers. 1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
An engaging compendium of ancient tales,
By Midwest Book Review - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: Island of the Minotaur: Greek Myths of Ancient Crete (Hardcover)
Presented by Sheldon Oberman, Island Of The Minotaur: Greek Myths Of Ancient Crete presents classic tales including the story of the deadly Minotaur that roamed the terrible Labyrinth, the winged boy Icarus who flew too close to the sun, Theseus' struggles against the ruthless witch Medea, and much more. A final, true tale of Sir Arthur Evans, a real-life treasure hunter who discovered the buried secrets of the ancient Minoan civilization adds a particularly welcome embellishment to this outstanding compilation of Hellenic mythology. Full-color illustrations by Blair Drawson well serve to highlight this engaging compendium of ancient tales told down the generations from antiquity to the present day.
5.0 out of 5 stars
My 7.5 yr old loved it!,
By D. Bartch - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: Island of the Minotaur: Greek Myths of Ancient Crete (Hardcover)
We got this book as part of our history curriculum for homeschooling. We read it while also learning about the ancient island of Crete.The story of the Minotaur has always excited my son, and this story just added fuel to the fire. We both enjoyed learning the background to who the Minotaur was. The writing style was exciting and informative. The final chapter was very helpful in showing what we really know about Crete and what was myth. The illustrations are a little strange, but intriguing. I must warn you, this is not for the faint of heart. Some of the stories are violent and gruesome. It is not meant for young children. My 7 year old does not mind this kind of stuff, but I know many kids this age or even older where parts would not sit well. If this is a problem, I would suggest reading it first and figuring out what to leave out (if using it as a read aloud as we did). Not all the stories are problematic in this way. (Although with Greek Myths there is going to be a certain amount of death involved anyway.) I do not have any real knowledge about Greek Mythology, so I cannot comment on how true to the myths these are or are not. But being as they are myths anyway, they make for a good explanation to Crete history. |
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