By Padraic Colum

Greek mythology abounds with incredible tales of awesome heroes and fickle deities. The Golden Fleece and the Heroes Who Lived Before Achilles is celebrated Irish storyteller Padraic Colum’s telling of those tales. The myth of Jason and the Argonauts and their quest for the Golden Fleece serves as the main drama. Through the amazing adventures of Jason and his fellow heroes along their quest, Colum weaves the fantastic stories and songs of Greek lore. Here are Theseus and the Minotaur; the labors of Heracles; Orpheus in the Underworld; Perseus and the rescue of Andromeda; the two Atalantas—the Huntress and the Swift of Foot; Admetus and his famed hospitality for Apollo; the creation account, “The Beginning of Things”; the Battle of Zeus and the Titans; Demeter and Persephone; Prometheus and the fire of the gods; and Pandora and her jar of Cares and Troubles. 

A 1922 Newbery Honor recipient, The Golden Fleece and the Heroes Who Lived Before Achilles makes for a wonderful introduction—especially for young readers—to the exciting world and colorful characters of Greek mythology.

Padraic Colum (1881–1972) was an Irish poet, novelist, and playwright. A leading figure in the Irish Literary revival, he wrote over sixty books and numerous plays and collections of poetry. In 1961, Colum received the Regina Medal from the Catholic Library Association, “awarded annually to a living exemplar of the words…only the rarest kind of best in anything can be good enough for the young.” 

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Paperback: 262pp.

ISBN: 978-1685952600