Don't Know Much About Mythology

When author Kenneth Davis asks and answers questions about the myths themselves-the weird stories, the odd names, and the animals created by mix and match-the Don't Know Much About format works well. In these sections John Lee's delivery is lively. The brief "mythic voices" sections, which share translated portions of the actual myths, provide a nice rhythm. However, despite Lee's informed but conversational delivery, the book drags at times. Davis's theoretical explanations of mythology are wordy and lack rhythm. There's nothing Lee can do to make these sections easy listening, and when Lee reads one of Davis's timelines, it becomes nothing more than a recitation of facts. G.T.B. (c) AudioFile 2006, Portland, Maine


When you hear an old, old story, do you know the fundamental things that apply? Kenneth C. Davis retells ancient myths and legends, explaining the cultures in which they developed and relating them to life today. John Lee reads with an authoritative British voice but brings with it a humor that makes the relationships Davis draws plausible -- as when he explains that you couldn't go into a bar on a Friday night, have a beer, and ask a potential date, "What's your sign?" without the Mesopotamians, who invented the days of the week, beer, and astrology. The material is familiar to anyone who's taken a mythology class, but it's a fun refresher or introduction for newcomers. J.A.S. (c) AudioFile 2006, Portland, Maine