Zeus: A Journey Through Greece in the Footsteps of a God

This book is a genuine gem! In its unabashed enthusiasm, it reminds me of David Hendon's Guide to Biblical Coins and its great to see an author so happily entrenched in a topic and so able to spread his infectious excitement for it. Yes, on one level this is the story of the birth, life and ultimate death of a God. But along the way, we learn something about the people who worshiped him and why. In the beginning Zeus wasn't even worhshiped in Greece. He was only brought there when invaders imposed him on the local people as a deified object of their superiority. In this respect, the story was kind of reminiscent of what happened in India when the idea of reincarnation was given to the locals as a salve for their resulting serfdom. Over time, Zeus' trysts reflected the various ways in which other Greek peoples were knitted into the story. In this respect the Zeus myth was reminiscent of the Old Testament stories of Abraham and Sarah and their various relatives were related to each other (with a strong emphasis on the children of Jacob who came to be known as Israel). And in time Zeus came to be snuffed out by new God and another religion. Along the way, certain parts of the story are infused with such native flavor that I could almost taste the spinach cheese pie.

This unique book examines the human and psychic history of the Greeks by following the trail of its ever-evolving chief deity through the dark passages of history. It shows how a wide range of factors, - political, geographical, etc. - influenced the Greeks and their twisting mythical narratives. Not only does the book make sense of the sprawling but compelling cosmos of the Olympians, it also provides an insight into human consciousness, struggling to make sense out of a cruel yet wonderful world. What exactly these gods meant to the Greeks is still hidden in ancient ruins, but reading this book is like walking through those ruins and having everything come to life. Simultaneously scholarly and fun, clear, and full of mystery - Great book.

Everybody loves a good fairy tale, but as you get older you may feel silly reading "Cinderella" or "Hansel and Gretel". Thank goodness for the Ancient Greeks; their mythology stories are the perfect fairy tales for adults. There's plenty of double-crossing, emotional outbursts, sex, violence and jealousy, and you get the added benefit of learning about classical civilization while you read these soap-opera stories. In "Zeus: a journey through Greece in the footsteps of a god", author Tom Stone manages to blend these wonderful mythological tales with a travelogue of Greece. Since the stories that comprise Greek mythology are so numerous, with so many characters, Stone focuses his book on the tales involving Zeus, the most powerful of the gods. He also does a wonderful job of presenting the stories in a somewhat chronological order (time being a fuzzy thing when talking about mythological events), beginning with Zeus's early years and his struggles against his own father Kronos. Stone also weaves in the various ups and downs of Greece, conflicts with her Aegean neighbors, changes in Grecian society and the growing influence of monotheistic religions. A timeline, a map and a ton of endnotes helps round out this really engaging look at Ancient Greece. It's a wonderful read for anyone who likes Edith Hamilton (mythology), Simon Schama (history) or Peter Mayle (amusing anecdotes of interactions with colorful locals).

I have always loved Greek myths but I have never been able to get all the stories straight. Stone has performed the impossible task of doing just that. By putting them in their proper sequence in the story of Zeus - Prometheus stealing fire, Pandora's jar ("box" was a bad translation),the Minotaur in its labyrinth, Perseus and Medusa, Hérakles, the House of Átreus, the Judgment of Paris,Helen of Troy, etc. -- and linking them to actual historical events such as the eruption of the volcano on Santorini, the fall of the Minoan Empire, the Dorian invasion, the Peloponnesian Wars, and the Roman conquest, Stone has made what has seemed to be an impossible labyrinth into a most enjoyable read. But in addition to all this, the travel parts of the book, which involve the story of his and Persian wife's travels through Greeceto research the book, are refreshing and delightful side trips to the main story. A deep and beautiful look into the Greek soul!

Who doesn't conjure up beautiful images at the mention of one of the most beautiful countries on the planet? If your busy life keeps you from hopping on a plane and exploring the vivid blue seas, green hills, and quaint villages, not to mention the Zeus history-laden land, then it won't be a disappointment to settle for a journey to this magical spot of earth through Tom Stone's eyes and adventures. I loved the book and recommend it highly. For those who relish remarkable journeys, you are in for a treat. Princess: A True Story of Life Behind the Veil in Saudi Arabia; Mayada, Daughter of Iraq: One Woman's Survival Under Saddam Hussein