Nick McCarty

If you want to learn of the legend of ancient Troy, this would be an excellent book to get you going. Combining the myths with the 19th century excavation, the author takes the reader through the history of Troy, which led to the Homer classics and defined the first great clash between Europe and Asia.

The material is wonderfully presented with chapters alternating between the explanation of the Trojan War and the real-life archaeological digs by Heinrich Schliemann. It's fairly difficult to show more put this book down, because you get caught up in the characters of Achilles, Helen, Hector, Paris, and Agamemnon while learning about the amazing adventure of Schliemann who stunned the world with his discovery. And what of King Priam's Treasure? That's also included here, so good luck in trying to put this book down, I certainly couldn't.

Also, this makes for an excellent Coffee Table book. That is, a book for guests or family who want something to read while sitting around. I have found it to be the most coveted of such books, causing people to start talking about the Trojan War as though it happened yesterday.


Book Season = Summer (when the winds send one ashore to Ilium) show less

Strictly a re-telling of the Iliad. Every page has an illustration of some violent and bloody encounter between the heroes of the two sides. The gods participate frequently, but don't generally wear armour.

This book is about the Trojan War. The war was started when a boy named Paris came upon three goddesses that were arguing over a golden apple. On the golden apple were the words, "For the most beautiful." They asked Paris to judge. They all offered a gift. One of the gifts was Helen, the most beautiful girl alive. Paris chose that gift.

He didn't get Helen until a long time later when he stole her from Sparta. This angered the Spartans so they made war. This war was called The Trojan War.

Near show more the end of the war, the Greeks built a giant wooden horse and waited inside it. Then the Trojans took in this gift. At night, the Greeks came out and killed everyone and won Helen back.

I think this version of the story is more detailed than other versions I have read. I also think these pictures are prettier. show less

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