A simplified account for reluctant readers; richer pickings exist.
An overview of ancient Greek gods, heroes, monsters, and storytellers.
Distilling a set of alphabetically arranged rosters sprinkled with paraphrased exploits into an accessible overview, Nardo offers a general picture of the classical era’s teeming mythical storyscape—Heracles’ labors are cut to two, for example; Charybdis earns a nod but not Scylla; and though Odysseus’ faithful old dog, Argus, gets a full entry, his wife, Penelope, rates nary a mention. The author’s observations about how these myths have enduring value as “universal comments on the human condition” are well taken (though calling them “somewhat equivalent to the tales in the biblical Old Testament” may ruffle a few feathers). So is a rare chapter on specific ancient literary sources from Homer (treated as a single historical author) and Hesiod to Pseudo-Apollodorus. Aside from a reference to the “strange coupling” of a bull with King Minos’ wife, Pasiphae, that resulted in the Minotaur, the originals’ abundant sexual and romantic exploits are largely left between the lines. Considering the preponderance of strong female figures that, unlike Penelope and Ariadne, do make the cut, a claim that most of the women in this mythological tradition were presented as “subservient and largely powerless” may confuse readers. Text boxes scattered throughout introduce the Greek roots of a number of English words.
A simplified account for reluctant readers; richer pickings exist. (map, image credits, source notes, Greek and Roman mythology guide, further research, index) (Nonfiction. 12-16)Pub Date: March 1, 2022
ISBN: 978-1-67820-238-5
Page Count: 64
Publisher: ReferencePoint Press
Review Posted Online: Dec. 14, 2021
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 1, 2022
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
A chilling look at a timely topic.
The rapid melting of Arctic ice has opened a new frontier for international competition or cooperation.
The book opens with a dramatic scene, as three men in a submersible search for a hole in the ice above the North Pole location on the ocean floor where they’ve just planted a Russian flag. McPherson goes on to describe the changes in polar ice cover that are encouraging exploration and allowing access to previously inaccessible energy resources. Subsequent chapters describe new, shorter ocean passages, the jockeying for territory as nearby nations lay claim and others look for ways to get involved, and the likely difficulties of development. Native peoples, whose livelihoods and cultures are inextricably connected to this harsh environment, have to make difficult choices, and the melting of the ice sheet over Greenland offers new opportunities as well as potential for disaster. McPherson’s clear explanations and balanced approach encourage reflection; there are no easy answers. Given that the burning of fossil fuels contributes to global warming, should the newly accessible oil and gas be extracted and added to the world’s supply? Does the North Pole belong to one or another nearby nation or to the world? Is it even possible to develop this area without spoiling it? Maps, photographs and a thoughtful design add to the package.
A chilling look at a timely topic. (source notes, glossary, bibliographies, index) (Nonfiction. 12-16)Pub Date: Oct. 1, 2014
ISBN: 978-1-4677-2043-4
Page Count: 64
Publisher: Twenty-First Century/Lerner
Review Posted Online: Aug. 11, 2014
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 2014
An informative, engaging chronicle of organized and individual acts of resistance to slavery.
A dramatic, revealing chronicle of enslaved people resisting their oppressors through acts of defiance, escape, sabotage, organized rebellion and vengeful murder.
This entry in the A Peculiar History series opens dramatically with a description of the German Coast Uprising, a violent, widespread rebellion in French Louisiana in 1811, and proceeds with a mostly chronological account of acts of resistance and rebellion from the beginning of the Atlantic slave trade in the early 15th century. Subjects briefly touched upon include a 1712 New York City rebellion as well as revolts led by Gabriel Prosser, Nat Turner and Denmark Vesey. Aretha discusses the Haitian revolution but curiously fails to mention its leader, Toussaint L’Ouverture. In addition, Aretha covers everyday acts of rebellion by slaves such as burning barns, killing livestock, sabotaging crops, suicide, and infanticide by mothers who wished to keep their children from enslavement. There is good information on the draconian lengths colonies and states went to to discourage slave resistance of any kind. With an attractive design, the text is complemented with photographs, maps and reproductions of archival materials, many in color.
An informative, engaging chronicle of organized and individual acts of resistance to slavery. (timeline, source notes, bibliography, websites, index) (Nonfiction. 12-16)Pub Date: Oct. 25, 2014
ISBN: 978-1-59935-406-4
Page Count: 112
Publisher: Morgan Reynolds
Review Posted Online: Aug. 26, 2014
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 15, 2014
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