4 h 52 minAudiobook9 minSummaryRead it, hear it, the 15-minute summary, and print and large print at cost
Audiobook edition · 4 h 52 minPaperback · 6 × 9 in · printing soonHardcover · 6 × 9 in · printing soonAbout this book
What kind of world puts gods above the clouds and sends mortals out to face monsters?
In Old Greek Stories, James Baldwin brings the gods and heroes of Greece into plain, lively English. Zeus rules on Mount Olympus, while mortals face dangers that test their courage. Tales of gods, fire and the first humans invite you into a world where the forces of life take the shape of powerful beings.
The stories move from the gods to heroes, monsters and hard tasks. Each tale stands on its own, so you can enter without a guide to Greek myth. Together, they reveal how the Greeks explain fire, the seasons, courage and fate through stories. Baldwin keeps the telling clear and full of wonder.
What you’ll discover
- The gods on Olympus Meet Zeus and the gods whose powers touch the sea, harvest, hunt and home.
- Heroes put to the test Follow mortals as they face monsters, danger and tasks that call for courage.
- Fire and the first humans Explore tales that connect human beginnings with a world ruled by powerful beings.
- Questions shaped into stories Discover how Greek myths give story form to the seasons, courage and fate.
- A clear way into myth Enjoy lively tales that stand alone and lend themselves to reading aloud.
Who will love it
Readers who enjoy myths, monsters and heroes will love this collection, as will anyone who reads aloud to children.
What’s inside
The key ideas, in the 15-minute summary
- Jupiter wins the sky and ends the Golden Age
- Prometheus brings fire and Pandora opens the casket
- A flood, a white cow and a boastful weaver
- Apollo, the Lord of the Silver Bow
- Kindness is repaid in Admetus, Cadmus and Perseus
- Atalanta, Athens and the roads of young Theseus
- Daedalus, the tribute and the Labyrinth
- Kindness, cruelty and pride return to their makers
- A plain, warm voice that explains the world
Who’s who
- JupiterKing of sky and earth, he rules from a mountain among the clouds and fears that people might grow as wise as the Mighty Folk.
- PrometheusA Titan who plans ahead, he brings fire to freezing people and teaches them to build, farm and make tools.
- PandoraMade of clay and given every gift, she is told never to open her golden casket, but curiosity pulls at her.
- ApolloThe Lord of the Silver Bow, he brings light, music and healing, and learns what it means to serve as a slave.
- PerseusSent after the Gorgon Medusa, he uses winged slippers, a mirror-bright shield and a Cap of Darkness to win.
- AtalantaRaised by a she-bear and taught by hunters, she is the fleet-footed huntress who wants freedom more than any palace.
- TheseusA prince from Troezen who lifts a great stone and walks to Athens, defeating robbers, to find his father.
- AriadneThe daughter of King Minos of Crete, she wants to save the brave young prisoner from the Minotaur.
Formats and delivery
- eBook
- On your phone, tablet or computer, once the book texts are online.
- Large-print eBook
- The same book in bigger, clearer type, once the book texts are online.
- Audiobook
- Read by Lucas Linden, complete. It opens once the recording is online.
- 15-minute summary
- The key ideas in about 9 minutes, to read today.
- Paperback
- 6 × 9 in. Printing soon: leave your email under Paperback or Hardcover above.
- Hardcover
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- Large print paperback
- 8.5 × 11 in. Printing soon: leave your email under Paperback or Hardcover above.
- Large print hardcover
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Old Greek Stories
by James Baldwin · 1895
A clay woman named Pandora is given every gift, plus a golden casket she must never open.
Medium level2–5 hours to readEnglish
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In short
What happens when a king of the sky decides that people are growing too clever? Old Greek Stories was written by James Baldwin, an American author who died in 1925.
From the 15-minute summary · Key idea 1
Jupiter wins the sky and ends the Golden Age
The book opens high above the world. Jupiter, also called Zeus, is king of sky and earth, and he lives on a tall mountain among the clouds. His brother Neptune holds the sea, and pale Pluto rules Hades, the Land of Shadows.
Around Jupiter lives a company of Mighty Folk. Venus is queen of love and beauty, Athena gives wisdom, and Mars loves battle. Mercury flies with wings on his cap and shoes, and Vulcan hammers iron and gold in a forge inside a burning mountain.
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Which edition is right for me
- 15-minute summary
- The key ideas of the whole book in about 9 minutes. A good first look, or a refresher.
Details
- First published
- 1895
- Language
- English
- Reading time
- 3 h 10 min
- Level
- Medium level
Cite this edition
Baldwin, James. Old Greek Stories. Library of Alexandria, 2026, libraryofalexandria.com/products/old-greek-stories.
Baldwin, J. (2026). Old Greek stories. Library of Alexandria. https://libraryofalexandria.com/products/old-greek-stories (Original work published 1895)
Baldwin, James. Old Greek Stories. Library of Alexandria, 2026. https://libraryofalexandria.com/products/old-greek-stories.
@book{baldwin2026old,
author = {Baldwin, James},
title = {Old Greek Stories},
publisher = {Library of Alexandria},
year = {2026},
url = {https://libraryofalexandria.com/products/old-greek-stories},
note = {First published 1895}
}
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What is Old Greek Stories by James Baldwin about?
It retells classic Greek myths as short tales, from the Golden Age and Prometheus to Perseus, Atalanta and Theseus. Each story can be read alone, and together they form a continuous journey through the old Greek world.
Who are Jupiter and the Mighty Folk in the book?
Jupiter, also called Zeus, is king of the sky and earth. The Mighty Folk who live with Jupiter among the clouds include Athena, Juno, Mercury, Venus, Mars and Vulcan; his brothers rule the sea and the Lower World.
Why does the book use Roman names like Jupiter and Diana?
The author gives both versions. Jupiter is also called Zeus, Neptune is Poseidon, Athena is Minerva, and Artemis is Diana. He mostly uses the Roman names for gods, but Athena and Apollo keep their Greek names.
The author
James Baldwin
1924–1987 · American educator and children's author
James Baldwin (1841 to 1925) was an American educator who served as superintendent of Indiana's school system for 18 years. He then became a widely published textbook editor and author of children's books on legends, mythology, biography and literature.
More by James Baldwin
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