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Summary
Summary
This encyclopedia provides an overview of approximately 3000 myths and legends from around the world and throughout the ages. These include evrything from Aesop's fables to the Viking gods and goddesses to the stories of the Ancient Greeks and Romans that form the basis of western lore.
Reviews (4)
School Library Journal Review
Gr 9 Up-A standard resource takes on a fresh face and shape. Dow retains the basic structure and content of Mercatante's splendid first edition (Facts On File, 1988). While there are now two volumes and the scope, number, and wording of the entries are essentially the same, there are some notable differences. Translations of some of the names have been changed to reflect recent scholarship. Some articles are enhanced with additional pertinent information and nearly every one has see-also notes. New entries include: "Cardiff Giant," a quasi-legendary hoax; "Urban Legends"; and "Work Projects Administration," which encompasses the American folklore collecting activities of the Federal Writers Project. Both editions define "Myth," "Legend," "Folktale," and "Fable" in their introductions. Mercatante's discussion of these terms leads to his own succinct definitions, while Dow provides extended definitions. Line drawing reproductions of classical subjects are nearly identical but the new edition's reduced size has led to smaller illustrations. In some cases this results in sharper contrast; in others, details are muddied. A few are exquisite drawings by Aubrey Beardsley. Dow has added more than 50 items published since 1988 to the extensive annotated bibliographies. Libraries owning the earlier edition may well make do with it if current scholarship is not a priority, but those who can afford the new one would do well to acquire it.-Ann G. Brouse, Steele Memorial Library, Elmira, NY (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Booklist Review
A starting point for literary, social, historical, and religious research, this revered set surveys world lore by text and author, deity and saint, legendary figure, plant, animal, holiday, and symbol. Approximately 3,000 entries simplify basic terms, such as Beowulf, Holy Grail, Lilith, Popul Vuh, Pythia, and Yin and yang. Among the 150 or so new entries are Cinderella, Grimm brothers, Trickster, and William Tell. Presentation is straightforward and devoid of scholarly cant. Generous woodcuts, bookplates, and line drawings depict the drama of Abraham's near sacrifice of Isaac, Shakespeare's whimsical fairies, and the enigma of the Sphinx. There are now around 350 illustrations, more than 200 of them new. Following the entries, annotated resource lists direct students, researchers, and librarians to standard print and (new to this edition) electronic works. The List of Entries Categorized by Culture and Ethnicity and the index answer queries while inviting readers to sample more of the textual treasures. The most obvious weakness is the diminution of West African influence on the Caribbean and the omission of towering emblems in world lore, particularly Mano the shark from Hawaiian lore, the Greek and Semitic concepts of the omphalos, and the Hopi Spider Woman. Also worthy of inclusion in a future edition are Ursa Major and Minor, the changeling, Earth Mother, Green Man, Mother Nature, incubus, and succubus. Despite some omissions, this reference source remains essential to the shelves of junior-high, high-school, college, and public libraries.--Snodgrass, Mary Ellen Copyright 2009 Booklist
Choice Review
First published in 1988 (CH, Apr'89), this edition contains nearly 3,300 entries for world mythology and legend, and for relevant folktales and fables. New subjects have been added and others removed, with a net gain of 41 entries. With such a wide scope, coverage is selective (even quirky), and entries are generally brief. Where appropriate, translations and variant spellings of entry titles are provided. The main new feature is the addition of cross-references for most of the entries. The annotated bibliography has been extensively updated. As before, the cultural and ethnic index is better for some areas than others--under "Scotland," for example, there is only a single entry, "Robert Bruce." Other entries appropriate to list under that heading, such as "Clootie" (a Scottish appellation for Satan), "Thistle," and "Loch Ness Monster" are omitted. The original edition was well received as a general reference work on the subject. Dow (Iowa State Univ.) has added enough new material to make his work attractive even to libraries that own the earlier version. ^BSumming Up: Recommended. General and academic collections. R. P. Nash University of Nebraska at Omaha
Library Journal Review
First published in 1988 and now newly edited and expanded to two volumes, this comprehensive reference provides entries of varying lengths for nearly 3000 myths and legends from around the world. Alphabetically arranged and cross-referenced for ease of use, the entries discuss the folktales of both ancient and modern Eastern and Western cultures and clarify the relationship of these tales to the scriptural traditions of Buddhism, Hinduism, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Various botanical, zoological, and other references with mythical implications are succinctly identified, and brief portraits of gods, heroes, demons, saints, and universal mythic figures are provided. Originally compiled by the late Mercatante, who edited and authored numerous articles and books on folklore literature, this edition was revised by Dow, an active scholar who has published widely on European and American folklore topics. Together with Funk and Wagnalls Standard Dictionary of Folklore, Mythology and Legend, this reliable resource will be used by both students and scholars in public and academic libraries.-Richard K. Burns, MSLS, Hatboro, PA (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Excerpts
Excerpts
Thoroughly revised and expanded, The Facts On File Encyclopedia of World Mythology and Legend, Second Edition provides a detailed overview of approximately 3,000 myths and legends from around the world and throughout the ages. The diverse group of myths and legends covered includes everything from Aesop's fables to the myths of Micronesia to the Viking gods and goddesses to the stories of the ancient Greeks and Romans that form the basis of Western lore. This extensive survey of myths, legends, and fables offers readers concise entries that explain and place in context the most important characters, places, stories, and objects of world myth and legend. Engaging entries succeed in passing on some of the alluring qualities of the original stories, while at the same time providing critically important insight into the meaning of specific elements from them. The comprehensive nature of the revisions to this edition adds to its already strong reputation. With assistance from a team of scholars, James R. Dow has revised and updated the entire text and added 80 new entries. A critical introduction to the bibliography has been added, and the bibliography itself has been substantially updated. Dow has also introduced a comprehensive system of cross-references to make it easier for readers to find the information they need. An essential reference for students and lovers of mythology, The Facts On File Encyclopedia of World Mythology and Legend, Second Edition is an authoritative guide to this fascinating subject. Ideal for readers in grades nine and up, The Facts On File Encyclopedia of World Mythology and Legend, Second Edition is useful as a comprehensive source of information on both famous and lesser-known myths and legends. Elements from these stories often are alluded to in art and literature, and the stories themselves have significant historical value, telling much about cultures and ages of the past. Thus, having an accessible and easy-to-use reference to all of world mythology and legend is essential to anyone who studies art, history, or literature as well as to those who enjoy reading myths, legends, and fables of all sorts. New entries include: Animal Farm Barbarossa Big Foot Cardiff Giant Chaucer Djinn Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse Fujiyama Gnosticism Knights Templar La Llorona Merseburg charms Nostradamus Oral theory Skald Urban legend Vampire. Excerpted from The Facts on File Encyclopedia of World Mythology and Legend by Anthony S. Mercatante All rights reserved by the original copyright owners. Excerpts are provided for display purposes only and may not be reproduced, reprinted or distributed without the written permission of the publisher.
