from: Penguin Classics
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Type of bind: Paperback
Dewey Decimal Number: 891.6231
EAN num: 9780140443974
ISBN number: 0140443975
Label: Penguin Classics
Manufacturer: Penguin Classics
Quantity: 1
Page Count: 288
Printing Date: March 25, 1982
Publishing house: Penguin Classics
Sale Popularity Level: 129633
Studio: Penguin Classics
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Product Description:
First written down in the eighth century AD, these early Irish stories depict a far older world part myth, part legend and part history. Rich with magic and achingly beautiful, they speak of a land of heroic battles, intense love and warrior ideals, in which the otherworld is explored and men mingle freely with the gods. From the vivid adventures of the great Celtic hero Cu Chulaind, to the stunning Exile of the Sons of Uisliu' a tale of treachery, honour and romance these are masterpieces of passion and vitality, and form the foundation for the Irish literary tradition: a mythic legacy that was a powerful influence on the work of Yeats, Synge and Joyce.
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Rated by buyers 
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A nice collection of all the old Irish myths and ballads, especially those of Chu Chulainn and his various heroic exploits. Gives an intriguing glimpse into the culture and times of the pre-Roman, pre-Christian Irish Gaelic people.
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I needed this book for an adult ed course. Opened a new door in literature
Rated by buyers -
There are a lot of books out there that contain sections and retellings of early Irish myths. Most of them are more expensive and have far less material in them. This is a very good collection at an excellent price and is a great place to start for folks who are newly interested in the field. Gantz is a well-respected scholar and the pieces and translations chosen are very good for giving you a feel of the variety of material out there.
Rated by buyers 
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The flood of mythically inspired movies in the last few years highlights the fact that the best new stories are the old ones. And like most movies, their books are better. Gantz provides a useful preamble to each section, which is vital for newcomers. We've literally lost our imaginations and need a tutor to remind us that the people we're reading about could be gods, too. The description of Etain (page 62?) is breathtaking. Caution: The guide to pronunciation is woefully inadequate and detracts from an otherwise pleasant diversion. On to Yeats!
Rated by buyers 
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Most mythology collections do not contain word for word translations of the myths, instead choosing to let the author retell them. Gantz' book, however, is a direct translation (making changes only where necessary) and many readers might be put off by the form in which these tales have come down to us. Accustomed to more linear storytelling, some readers might have difficulty following. However, for the serious scholar, this book is very important as it gives the student a chance to see what was actually written in the Book of the Dun Cow, etc., references we surely know by name from other mythology introductions. If you do pick up this book, be prepared to concentrate perhaps more than you are used to and you will be well rewarded.
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