Meet legendary heroes, powerful goddesses and vengeful monsters in this beautiful hardback collection of more than 20 epic tales from Greek and Roman mythology, featuring lavish full-color illustrations throughout. The myths and legends of the ancient world are vividly told here by master storytellers of the 19th century, Thomas Bulfinch and Nathaniel Hawthorne. Discover how Theseus defeated the minotaur, why the witch Circe turned men into swine and the story of Pandora and Epimetheus. This treasury captures the beauty and magnificence of these timeless myths, illustrated with enchanting full-color Pre-Raphaelite and art nouveau paintings by Walter Crane and John William Waterhouse, among others. Stories • Echo and Narcissus • Juno and her rivals • Pygmalion • Cupid and Psyche • The Gorgon's Head • Cadmus and the Dragon's Teeth • The Pomegranate Seeds
Authors
Nathaniel Hawthorne was a 19th century American novelist and short story writer. He is seen as a key figure in the development of American literature for his tales of the nation's colonial history. Shortly after graduating from Bowdoin College, Hathorne changed his name to Hawthorne. Hawthorne anonymously published his first work, a novel titled Fanshawe, in 1828. In 1837, he published Twice-Told Tales and became engaged to painter and illustrator Sophia Peabody the next year. He worked at a Custom House and joined a Transcendentalist Utopian community, before marrying Peabody in 1842. The couple moved to The Old Manse in Concord, Massachusetts, later moving to Salem, the Berkshires, then to The Wayside in Concord. The Scarlet Letter was published in 1850, followed by a succession of other novels. A political appointment took Hawthorne and family to Europe before returning to The Wayside in 1860. Hawthorne died on May 19, 1864, leaving behind his wife and their three children. Much of Hawthorne's writing centers around New England and many feature moral allegories with a Puritan inspiration. His work is considered part of the Romantic movement and includes novels, short stories, and a biography of his friend, the United States President Franklin Pierce.
