The Iliad (Penguin Classics) | 
|  | | |
 This book is also available, brand-new, from 3rd-party marketplace sellers at Amazon.com, from $7.05. |
The HTML code below can be pasted onto your web-site, your MySpace page, or blog - or any number of similar places - to create a link to this page: If, instead of a text link, you'd like to create a link to this page which will display the book cover, if it's available, then the code below will do exactly that:
Check for the same book at these other US book sites:
• [ Abebooks ] • [ Alibris ] • [ Barnes & Noble ] • [ Half.com ] • [ Powells ] … or check UK bookstores
| Editorial Review / Publisher's Information:
Product Description
One of the foremost achievements in Western literature, Homer's Iliad tells the story of the darkest episode of the Trojan War. At its center is Achilles, the greatest warrior-champion of the Greeks, and his conflict with his leader Agamemnon. Interwoven in the tragic sequence of events are powerfully moving descriptions of the ebb and flow of battle, the besieged city of Ilium, the feud between the gods, and the fate of mortals.
| Other Items You May Enjoy:
Browse Books From These Related Subjects:
Customer Reviews:
• Excellent Value: An Interesting But A Slow And Bloody Story Of Hand To Hand Combat In 1200 Bc Troy, With A Good Introduction 12 May, 2007
I read Homer's Odyssey in about two days, and thought that it was an interesting and a compelling read. I read the translation by T.E. Lawrence. The Iliad is a much slower read by comparison, and it is a much more complicated book. It took me two weeks of reading on and off to make my way through this present book, and my longest stretch was just 50 pages before I would lose my concentration.
The story is over 400 pages long. It is a lengthy description of hand to hand combat by hundreds of fighters on the plains of Troy, outside the ancient town of Ilium. It is not about the whole war which lasted years, but simply the story or myth of only a few days of the fighting. The story describes wave after wave of sword fighting and spear throwing, going back and forth between the two sides, chapter after chapter. We follow every wound and every death and we read detailed descriptions of the wounds and what happens to the dead bodies.
The book is very slow to start and it is complicated by dozens of primary characters led by the Greek Achilles and the Trojan Hector. There are hundreds of secondary characters and 24 different Gods, led by Zeus. Overall, this is more of a reading experience that a simple story. It does get easier after 150 pages or so, as the reader gets into the flow of the story and learns the names of all the primary characters. In trying to understand The Iliad, It is hard to find any moral lessons here other than the weakness of hubris as a character flaw. The book is interesting since it is one of the first recorded stories or myths.
This is an excellent version of The Iliad because of the extensive introduction, analysis, list of characters, maps, and the summaries at the beginning of each chapter. Also, there are side notes on every page to give the reader a summary of the current events. The translation by Rieu is over 50 years old and it has been updated and edited twice, the most recent by Peter Jones. The commentary and analysis is essential to the understanding of the novel. You get that here for free as part of the Penguin Classic. Peter Jones and Rieu present some interesting comments on the date and the history of the Iliad manuscript, and it relation to oral traditions.
So, this is an interesting historical story, well presented with excellent notes.
- Reviewed by customer ID: A2ENIQZX6VJYUM
• Good Start On The Iliad 16 May, 2007
This is a good introduction to the Iliad. Short of reading the original Greek Richard Lattimore's translation is the best but Rieu's translation is written in straightforward, clear prose and is a good way to introduce yourself to the basic narrative and get a sense of the story. It is colloquial at times but not jarringly so. Then, move on to Lattimore and the Greek.
- Reviewed by customer ID: A35JYQRK6MTY6C
• The Original Action Book 07 July, 2006
The Iliad is perhaps the first of the action books. I read this translation because I found it to be very enjoyable and flows well. This of course is the story of Achilles, Helen, Agamemmnon, Odysseus, Hector and Paris. We have love, war, adultery, courage, family relationships, loyalty and morality all brought to the battlefield.
Most everyone has read the story (or at least seen the horrible movie staring Brad Pitt). This epic is truly epic and will not easily be forgotten. I found myself siding with both camps and my morality questioned by the story's nagging questions of what is worth fighting and dying for.
A book that is both timeless and a classic. You have not lived until you have read the Iliad.
- Reviewed by customer ID: AXC7PYE3J66RD
• Great Prose Translation 07 April, 2007
This is a great prose translation, updated and modernized by Peter Jones. The text crackles with energy and is much better than many verse translations (my favorite verse translations are by Lombardo and Lattimore). Many people - like myself - have an eye that is more comfortable with prose and modern English prose is very expressive. So this is probably a very good translation for most people. If you don't mind verse, try the fresh translation by Stanley Lombardo.
As for the story itself, what is there to say? It's a classic and, interestingly enough, is the first piece of written literature that introduces us to the ancient Greek gods and goddesses. But it is the story of Achilles and his anger (or rage), first at the Greek leader, Agammenon, and then at Hector and the Trojans. The latter kill Achilles' best friend, Patrokles.
I don't think anyone interested in the Iliad will find fault with this lively translation.
- Reviewed by customer ID: A3T4Z63LSN1F6C
• Untidy Revised Edition...stick With The Original! 04 September, 2008
Rieu's pioneering Iliad of 1950 brought Homer to millions, it was constantly re-published throughout the decades...
...but in 2002 it was revised by Peter Jones and Rieu's son. This time taking away much of E.V. Rieu's lovely poetic storytelling genius and a lot of the original "Joie de Vivre".
Not only that but there are constant interferences all throughout the book...I mean in the middles of the text! References, side notes, top notes, bottom notes, summaries etc. interrupt the flow of the revised translation. They may be useful to intellectuals but overall I find them very annoying.
Please take a look at the two versions (original and revised). As well as recommending Rieu's "oringal", I also resommend Stanley Lombardo's powerful, accurate, and incredibly poetic translation of the Iliad on a publishing company called Hackett.
*** I think Rieu's original Iliad in Penguin's re-release from the 60's and 70's (with the colorful covers and spines) is the most attractive and the most successful. Amazon Marketplace sellers have tons, or you can find them easily at used bookshops around the nation.***
- Reviewed by customer ID: A397ND4UT6BTXR
|
