J. A. Coleman

This is a useful resource for anyone interested in mythology. Its value lies in the breadth of mythologies and pantheons included -- a nice, first-stop reference. The downside is that, naturally, in covering as broad a range as possible, the provided information is not as in-depth as one would like. Also, this is a dictionary, not an encyclopedia, so don't expect encyclopedic entries. Bonus points for how well the book covers multiple spellings of names, but points detracted for the lack of show more pronunciation guides. To sum up, this is a good addition to your mythology reference collection, but it can't stand alone as a resource. show less

This is a fabulous resource which has been exhaustively sourced – going far beyond the usual western listings to embrace the whole world of mythology. Unfortunately some of the more obscure entries are too short to be contextualized, and without any references listed in the entry, it is nearly impossible both to judge the quality of the information, or to know where to look for more of it.

That said, those entries on subjects I have prior familiarity with have shown me that the author of show more this compendium is worth trusting. I have picked up some great new information by paging through these intriguing entries. Whether you are looking for a reference book to help you get more out of literature, or simply looking for an engaging tome filled with fun and fascinating information from the world of myth, I would highly recommend this volume. show less