Padraic Colum

From master storyteller Padriac Colum, winner of a Newbery Honor for The Golden Fleece, comes a collection of fifteen timeless stories that the ancient Celts told more than a thousand years ago. Among the greatest storytellers of the world, the ancient Celts told tales that, after more than a thousand years, still bristle with life and excitement. This beautifully illustrated book includes fifteen of these enchanting stories, including bold exploits at the Court of King Arthur. Filled with handsome heroes, lovely maidens, and menacing sorcerers and giants, these tales continue to entertain.

From master storyteller Padriac Colum comes a Newbery Honor-winning collection of epic myths that "is unequaled as an introduction to the classic myths for young readers" (Publishers Weekly). Enter a world where harpies torment mortals, the Argonaut Orpheus sings, the mighty god Zeus wages war on the Titans, and Prometheus steals fire. Author Padraic Colum weaves the tales of Jason and his Argonauts with classic Greek mythology to create this captivating epic about life, war, and astounding beings who lived in a time long past. Poetically written and wonderful for reading aloud, this collection of ancient stories will captivate modern readers.

First published in 1920, "The Children of Odin" is the retelling of famous North myths for children by the acclaimed Irish poet, novelist, playwright, and children's author Padraic Colum. With illustrations by Willy Pogany this volume brings classic Norse literature and mythology to a wider audience and makes it accessible to children of all ages. Born in 1881 in Ireland, Colum first rose to fame as a playwright and poet in Dublin and became a leading figure in the Irish Literary Revival. In 1914, Colum and his wife came to the United States and remained there for most of the rest of their lives. Once in America, Colum began to write children's literature, beginning with the retelling of Irish folklore. In "The Children of Odin", Colum's masterful and award-winning storytelling brings the gods and goddesses of Asgard to life: the wise All-Father Odin, mighty Thor with his hammer, the wily and mischievous Loki, and the dragons, giants, dwarves, and Valkyries that inhabit their world as well. In his lyrical and beautiful prose, Colum tells the story of this rich world from its beginning to its final battle. This edition is printed on premium acid-free paper.

First published in 1921, "The Golden Fleece and The Heroes Who Lived Before Achilles" by the acclaimed and award-winning children's author Padraic Colum is a classic retelling of the ancient mythological tales of Jason and the Argonauts and their quest for the Golden Fleece. Woven into this volume of Greek mythology are also the stories of the creation of the heavens and the earth, Zeus's battle with the Titans, Pandora's box, Persephone in the Underworld with Hades, and the adventures of the hero Heracles. Born in 1881 in Ireland, Colum first rose to fame as a playwright and poet in Dublin and became a leading figure in the Irish Literary Revival. In 1914, Colum and his wife came to the United States and remained there for most of the rest of their lives. Once in America, Colum began to write children's literature, beginning with the retelling of Irish folklore and eventually turning his skills to myth and folklore from all over the world, making these classic tales accessible to children. With illustrations by Willy Pogany and Colum's wonderful prose, these ancient myths are masterfully brought to life. This edition is printed on premium acid-free paper.

Born and raised in a Longford, Ireland workhouse, Padraic Colum left home at seventeen to become a clerk in the Irish Railway Clearing House in Dublin. This venture was short-lived, however, and with the success of a few poems and a play, "The Saxon Shillin'," in 1904 he went on to pursue a career in writing. His success as a dramatist, poet, novelist, essayist, biographer, children's writer, and editor, as well as his participation in the founding of the Abbey Theatre, made Colum a central figure in the Irish literary renaissance. Colum wrote "The Children's Homer" or "The Adventures of Odysseus and the Tale of Troy" in 1918 as a retelling of Homer's epic poems, the "Iliad" and the "Odyssey," intended for younger readers. It recounts the perilous adventures of Odysseus on his journey back from the war in Troy, including his encounter with the horrible Cyclops, the duplicitous Sirens, and the evil Circe. One of Colum's many successful children's novels, these stories will be enjoyed as much today as they were when they first appeared. This edition is printed on premium acid-free paper and is wonderfully illustrated by Willy Pogany.

"Still unequaled as an introduction to the classic myths." -- Publishers Weekly Written for young readers by a great Irish folklorist, this Newbery Award-winning anthology centers on the legend of the quest for the Golden Fleece. Generations of readers have thrilled to these classic retellings of ancient myths, which trace Jason and the Argonauts' voyages and their encounters with the foreseer Prometheus, Medea the sorceress, and other legendary characters. Stories of the heroes who accompanied Jason include "The Life and Labors of Heracles," "Theseus and the Minotaur," "How Orpheus the Minstrel Went Down to the World of the Dead," and other stirring tales. Author Padraic Colum, who was active in the Irish literary renaissance and a founder of Dublin's Abbey Theatre, was also a popular children's writer. Skilled at recounting tales in a manner that attracts and holds kids' attention, Colum possessed a poetic style that continues to enchant audiences of all ages. His captivating tales are complemented by forty evocative illustrations by Willy Pog ny.

The Adventures of Odysseus and The Tales of Troy council made up of the chief men of this land of Ithaka. I shall go to the council and speak there. I shall ask that you leave this house of mine and feast on goods that you yourselves have gathered. Let the chief men judge whether I speak in fairness to you or not. If you do not heed what I will say openly at the council, before all the chief men of our land, then let it be on your own heads what will befall you.' All the wooers marvelled that Telemachus spoke so boldly. And one said, 'Because his father, Odysseus, was king, this youth thinks he should be king by inheritance. But may Zeus, the god, never grant that he be king.' Then said Telemachus, 'If the god Zeus should grant that I be King, I am ready to take up the Kingship of the land of Ithaka with all its toils and all its dangers.' And when Telemachus said that he looked like a young king indeed. But they sat in peace and listened to what the minstrel sang. And when evening came the wooers left the hall and went each to his own house. Tele We are delighted to publish this classic book as part of our extensive Classic Library collection. Many of the books in our collection have been out of print for decades, and therefore have not been accessible to the general public. The aim of our publishing program is to facilitate rapid access to this vast reservoir of literature, and our view is that this is a significant literary work, which deserves to be brought back into print after many decades. The contents of the vast majority of titles in the Classic Library have been scanned from the original works. To ensure a high quality product, each title has been meticulously hand curated by our staff. Our philosophy has been guided by a desire to provide the reader with a book that is as close as possible to ownership of the original work. We hope that you will enjoy this wonderful classic work, and that for you it becomes an enriching experience.

In Greek mythology, the Golden Fleece is the fleece of the gold-haired winged ram, which can be procured in Colchis. It figures in the tale of Jason and his band of Argonauts, who set out on a quest by order of King Pelias for the fleece in order to place Jason rightfully on the throne of Iolcus in Thessaly. The story is of great antiquity - it was current in the time of Homer.

The Children of Odin: Nordic Gods and Heroes (1920) is a lyrical introduction to the myths and epic legends of the ancient Scandinavians. Fusing the disparate mythic accounts of his medieval sources, Irish-American poet Padraic Colum fashions a powerful tale of the divine adventures of gods and men, locked in an inexorable march of fate. Written in a style accessible to both children and adults, Colum's work offers a haunting and evocative portrait of the mythic world of the Viking Age.