A Book of Myths

A collection retells and comments on a selection of ancient myths from Mediterranean and northern traditions, presenting concise narratives alongside interpretive remarks that show how deities were humanized and how myths encode natural phenomena and cultural values. The author argues that gods reflect human virtues and vices, surveys common mythic motifs such as sun, earth, fire, and wind, and points out survivals of mythic names and concepts in modern language and customs. A prefatory essay explains the approach, some well-known cycles are deliberately omitted, and a postscript reflects changed perspectives after the outbreak of war; the volume includes color illustrations.