10 h 29 minAudiobook8 minSummaryRead it, hear it, the 15-minute summary, and print and large print at costPaperback · 6 × 9 in · printing soonHardcover · 6 × 9 in · printing soonAbout this book
A golden apple falls among wedding guests, and a quarrel among goddesses sets the war at Troy in motion.
In Tales of Troy and Greece, Andrew Lang brings Greek myths together in clear, direct prose. Helen’s departure with Paris draws the Greek kings to Troy, where proud Achilles fights and neither side can win quickly. After the war, clever Ulysses faces a long journey toward Ithaca, where Penelope and Telemachus wait for him to come home.
Beyond Troy and Ulysses’ wanderings lie the adventures of Perseus, Theseus and Jason. Perseus must bring back Medusa’s head and protect his mother. Theseus sets out to claim his place, while Jason gathers heroes to seek the Golden Fleece. Monsters, magic gifts and angry gods test their courage; loyalty, pride and the cost of promises give the adventures their weight.
What you’ll discover
- A quarrel becomes war Follow the golden apple from a wedding feast to the struggle beneath Troy’s walls.
- The pull of home Travel with Ulysses as wonders stand between him and the family he longs to reach.
- Gifts and daring Meet Perseus, whose dangerous task brings courage, magic gifts and his mother’s safety together.
- A prince claims his place Follow Theseus toward Athens as he seeks his place and an end to a cruel debt.
- The Golden Fleece Join Jason’s quest and meet Medea, whose love and magic help him face his tasks.
Who will love it
For readers who love Greek myths filled with monsters, magic gifts and clever heroes, and anyone who wants the main stories in one readable place. Parents reading aloud and newcomers to Homer will find a clear introduction to these adventures.
What’s inside
The key ideas, in the 15-minute summary
- A golden apple starts a great war
- Ten years of siege test heroes
- Ulysses meets wonders on the road home
- Perseus wins with gifts and daring
- Theseus proves himself on the road to Athens
- Jason sails for the Golden Fleece
Who’s who
- UlyssesKing of Ithaca and the cleverest of the Greek leaders, he wants above all to return to his wife, his son and his home.
- AchillesThe swiftest and strongest Greek warrior at Troy, he is proud and quick to anger when he feels dishonored.
- HelenThe beautiful wife of Menelaus, whose departure to Troy with Paris brings the Greek kings to war.
- PerseusA young son of Danae who is sent to bring back the head of Medusa and protect his mother.
- TheseusPrince of Troezen and son of the king of Athens, he sets out to claim his place and to end a cruel debt.
- JasonThe rightful heir of Iolcus, he gathers a crew of heroes to sail to Colchis and win the Golden Fleece.
- MedeaA princess of Colchis skilled in magic, she helps Jason in his tasks because she loves him.
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- Audiobook
- 10 h 29 min, complete, read by Lucas Linden.
- 15-minute summary
- The key ideas in about 8 minutes, to read or to hear.
- 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
- 8.5 × 11 in. Printing soon: leave your email under Paperback or Hardcover above.
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Tales of Troy and Greece
by Andrew Lang · 1907
Ulysses faces the Cyclops and the Sirens as he struggles to return to his wife, his son and his home.
Medium level10–20 hours to read25 languages
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In short
Tales of Troy and Greece is a book of Greek myths retold in plain, clear prose by Andrew Lang, the Scottish poet, folklorist and scholar. It appeared in the early years of the twentieth century.
From the 15-minute summary · Key idea 1
A golden apple starts a great war
The tale of Troy begins with a wedding feast. The goddess of strife was not invited, and in her anger she throws a golden apple among the guests, marked for the fairest. Three goddesses claim it: Hera, Athena and Aphrodite. None will give way, and the choice of judge falls on Paris, a young prince of Troy who has been raised among shepherds.
Each goddess offers Paris a bribe. Hera promises power, Athena promises wisdom and victory in war, and Aphrodite promises the love of the most beautiful woman in the world. Paris chooses Aphrodite. That choice sets everything in motion, because the most beautiful woman is Helen, wife of Menelaus, king of Sparta.
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What is Tales of Troy and Greece about?
It retells Greek myths in simple prose. It covers the Trojan War, the wanderings of Ulysses, and the adventures of the heroes Perseus, Theseus and Jason, each told as a connected story.
Who wrote Tales of Troy and Greece and when?
Andrew Lang, the Scottish poet and folklorist, wrote it. It was published in the early twentieth century, and it draws on older Greek sources such as Homer.
Is Tales of Troy and Greece a true story?
No, it is a retelling of myths and legends. The Greeks told these stories about gods, heroes and monsters, though the city of Troy itself was a real place that archaeologists have studied.
The author
Andrew Lang
1844–1912 · Scottish poet and folklorist
Andrew Lang was a Scottish writer born in Selkirk in 1844. He lived in London and died in Banchory in 1912. He wrote poetry, novels, literary criticism, and works on folklore. He edited The Blue Fairy Book, published in 1889, and other fairy-book collections, including The Violet Fairy Book in 1901.
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