The Essential Homer (Hackett Classics)

The pages are fine, but the book came with dried binding glue on all sides of the cover and the top of the pages stained. I had to spend a long time cleaning the glue off so it wouldn't get on my other textbooks.

Lombardo's translations of Homer are brilliant, energetic, and fun to read. While other translations are as dry and dusty as ancient Greek itself, Lombardo remarkably manages to bring it all to life, and reading both the Iliad and the Odyssey are as interesting and exciting as reading the most fascinating and lurid novel you've ever had in your hands.The best thing about this edition is that it has MAPS in the front, and NAME GLOSSARIES in the back (for both the Iliad and the Odyssey). This edition is abridged, but I found that only long, tedious descriptions of preparations for battles seemed to be missing.This is the ideal student text. (If you are looking for the best FULL edition ever, Lombardo's entire translations of the Iliad and Odyssey are also available.If I could give it six stars, I would.

This translation is amazing, it is in current terms and has been translated to read like a story. If you have ever seen the movie Troy with Brad Pitt it is like reading that movie. Much of that movie comes directly from Homers Iliad. I couldn’t put it down - I remember reading the odyssey when I was in school but it was definitely not translated to read like this.

In my opinion, Homer's works are by far the best works of ancient Greece. They are still readable and enjoyable today. This is especially true for the Odyssey, which is probably the only piece of Greek fiction I would recommend reading. It is a fun tail with interesting characters.

I am really enjoying this book so far. The simple and efficient method of translation this book uses really helps to make it a smooth read while still getting immersed into the story. The techniques the translator uses helps to make the story seem to progress much faster than that of say, Lattimore who's word choices and lengthy sentences slow down the story, making sure to catch every detail. Both are brilliant nonetheless and avid readers should definitely try both.Someone actually mentioned that the style that this book is translated in makes for a good, quickly progressing, and modernized play that should be enjoyable for all audiences.

The introduction is absolutely marvelous. It is a succinct introduction to the history of oral poetry. The translation is most appealing to the upper level, junior and senior high school year, student. Before I put this on my recommended reading for the Latin AP student I did have my high school principal check the translation. She gave a "thumbs up" approval for the more mature students who would be using it. The students were also thrilled with the translation. The student appreciates the fact that the story line is held to what is necessary and the language "is our style."

Book had some writing but that was to be expected. The book is in good condition meaning all pages are there, cover isn't torn. It's a well kept up book.

Some of the passages that were deleted were important to the plot, so I was disappointed they were not included. Overall, the added glossary was useful, and the translation was easy to read but maintained the integrity of the text.

Very useful as a teaching aid.