# Good Mythology Reference Books **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [March 13, 2005, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-mythology-reference-books/294342 "2005-03-13T16:52:33Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Stevens](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/cdc98d/32.png) [@Stevens](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stevens)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2005, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-mythology-reference-books/294342/1 "2005-03-13T16:52:33Z")
At the library, they have a couple dictionaries of Classical Mythology, and Amazon sells plenty of different kinds. I’m a beginner who will probably not be able to take more than one or two college courses dealing spec. w/ mythology later on, but then again, school has so little to do with my education 😉 Any reccomendations for broad reference books on Classical Mythology that you know of being particularly good? I already own Hamilton’s Mythology. ---
**Author:** ![LifeOnWry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/96bed5/32.png) [@LifeOnWry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LifeOnWry)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2005, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-mythology-reference-books/294342/2 "2005-03-13T17:03:19Z")
I am not entirely certain what you’re looking for, as mythology is not one of “my” topics, but there is a pretty interesting book called Parallel Myths by J.F. Bierlein you might like. It’s not so much an overview of classical mythology as it is a comparison of, say, creation myths, flood myths, etc., as they appear in various cultures. ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2005, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-mythology-reference-books/294342/3 "2005-03-13T20:30:00Z")
It really does depend on what you want. Straight version of Greek mythology, Hamilton is fine. Keep in mind that other cultures have their own mythologies – Norse, Japanese, Indian, Egyptian, Mesopotamian, etc. If you want primary sources on these, check out Ovid for Greek mythology, The Epic of Gilgamest rof Mesopotamian, etc. If you’re interested in comparative mythology, Joseph Campbell and Mircea Eliade are the big names. ---
**Author:** ![friggae](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/45deac/32.png) [@friggae](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/friggae)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2005, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-mythology-reference-books/294342/4 "2005-03-13T21:37:00Z")
I would suggest at least picking up a copy of Bulfinch’s Mythology. Look for an unabridged collection that includes all three volumes entitled “The Age of Fable”, “The Age of Chivalry”, and “Legends of Charlemagne”. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2005, 1:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-mythology-reference-books/294342/5 "2005-03-14T01:39:02Z")
Then get a copy of “Brewer’s Dictionary of Phrase and Fable.” ---
**Author:** ![dotchan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9d8465/32.png) [@dotchan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dotchan)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2005, 1:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-mythology-reference-books/294342/6 "2005-03-14T01:47:57Z")
Joseph Campbell’s _Masks of God_ series (multi-volume comparitive mythology) is very comprehensive and in-depth. I don’t entirely agree with all of his analyses, but it still makes for a great read. ---
**Author:** ![Stevens](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/cdc98d/32.png) [@Stevens](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stevens)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2005, 2:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-mythology-reference-books/294342/7 "2005-03-14T02:00:49Z")
In terms of non-classical I’m planning on getting the two-book Facts on File: World Mythology books; very encyclopedic, very modern and concise. Any more recc.s for particularly good non-classical mythology reference books? ---
**Author:** ![Horatio\_Hellpop](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e5b9ba/32.png) [@Horatio\_Hellpop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Horatio_Hellpop)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2005, 11:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-mythology-reference-books/294342/8 "2005-03-14T11:16:03Z")
Richard Carlyon’s **A Guide to the Gods** is a nicely-organized primer to the major pantheons.