The Legend of Odysseus

Hector's gory end at Achilles' hands, bloody battle scenes, bare-breasted goddesses: readers will find in the paintings of this illustrated work an era they have heard of but may not understandthe days when the Greek gods walked the earth. The battle of Troy is at the forefront of this legend, of course, and Connolly crams in historical data (including maps, drawings of battle scenes and sites, photos or illustrations of genuine artifacts of battle) as well as mythology and speculation, resulting in a well-rounded attempt to explain the lives of men and women of the ancient cities. Whether to pique the interest of readers who have not yet heard of Odysseus, The Iliad or Homer, or to appease those who may have read watered-down versions, this robust work is richly gratifying for one and all. Ages 12-up. (March)