The Marriage of Cadmus and Harmony

Book Description

Presenting the stories of Zeus and Europa, Theseus and Ariadne, the birth of Athens and the fall of Troy, in all their variants, Calasso also uncovers the distant origins of secrets and tragedy, virginity, and rape. "A perfect work like no other. (Calasso) has re-created . . . the morning of our world."--Gore Vidal. 15 engravings.

Customer Reviews:

Beautiful, profound -- and never boring.......2006-11-03

How did the ancient Greeks really view their myths? Calasso retells many of the ancient stories in an intriguing way as he provides an answer. Whether you agree with him or not, you'll be captivated by how lovingly and enchantingly he makes his argument.

well written, but incredibly pretentious.......2005-06-07

I have to admit that I didn't finish this book. That is something I rarely do and a sign of how much I disliked it. For a while I was really torn over whether it was worth reading. Calasso is a beautiful writer (and due credit should doubtless be given to Tim Parks for translating it well), which is why the book gets two stars. In the end, however, I just decided the whole thing was too pretentious. Calasso isn't really retelling the Greek myths in this book. He's giving them in bits and pieces, in fragments, relating contradictory versions in some cases--and he manages to do it in a way that feels poetic, which is really quite remarkable. Interwoven with that, he interprets them for us--and that is what drove me nuts. He provides plenty of citations for where he's getting the myths from, but absolutely no scholarly citations on Greek culture, religion or mythology. He is, quite simply, pulling his interpretation of the myths out of thin air as far as I can tell, presuming to tell us what the ancient Greeks thought with no reference to any historical research. Now, I have no objection to someone from outside the field of ancient Greek history and religion doing an interpretation of the meaning of the Greek myths. Such outsider perspectives can be fresh and insightful. But to do so with no reference to the work scholars who have devoted their lives to this material strikes me as the height of arrogance. In the end, while the book is beautifully written, it's also a load of hogwash. I wish Calasso would put his formidable writing talents to better use--either by doing some research into ancient Greek culture and religion or writing something entirely original

An enlightening interpretation of Greek mythology........2005-02-18

"The Marriage of Cadmus and Harmony" is a truly ambitious work. Roberto Calasso has gathered together the various tales in Greek mythology, including the works of Hesiod and Homer, and put them together into one cohesive whole. Rather than simply retelling these well-known stories, the book shows the interconnectedness of events and characters, tying everything together. Calasso writes with a style that is both narrative and scholarly. He takes time to dig deeply into the underlying themes of Greek mythology, producing some profound and thought-provoking insights, but at the same time keeps the tone animated, retaining the feel that this is an epic story rather than a dry scholarly analysis.

Despite the choice of title, the characters of Cadmus and Harmony are only mentioned a few times in passing in the main body of the work. It is not until the final chapter that they take center stage. Calasso opens the book with Zeus's abduction of Europa, and ties this in with a general theme of abduction to be found throughout Greek mythology. Then he slowly works his way back in time, taking us, in the middle of the book, to the very beginning, the creation story of the Greeks. From there Calasso moves forward once again, relating the fall of Athens, the decline of ancient Greece, and the slow fading of the gods from earthly life.

"The mythographer," Calasso says, "lives in a permanent state of chronological vertigo" (281). While he does make the stories flow together, it would be impossible to put them in a definite order. Trying to do so would drive one mad, and it is advisable to just sit back and enjoy the stories without worrying too much about their placement in time. In addition, since the Greek tales were primarily passed on orally, many variations on them evolved over time, and not all of these variants fit together. Nevertheless, Calasso often gives us multiple versions of a story. Don't let this confuse you too much. The Greeks themselves, Calasso tells us, "became so used to hearing the same stories told with different plots that it got to be a perfectly normal thing for them" (279). I do, however, wish Calasso had included some family trees to help keep family relations straight. I ended up jotting down my own rough lineage tables to keep the lines of descent organized in my mind.

I was slightly disappointed to find that Calasso has not included the entirety of Greek mythology here. Ironically, the front cover shows Pandora descending to Earth with Mercury, but the story of Pandora is not mentioned in the book at all. The stories of Arachne, Prometheus, the Minotaur, and others are alluded to in passing, but never fully told. The slaying of Medusa by Perseus is not mentioned. Rather, Calasso has devoted a bit too much of the book to retelling the stories of the Iliad and the Odyssey, which one can just as easily read in those books themselves. Nevertheless, what he has done here is impressive, and well worth reading.

The book is not what I would call an easy read, as it requires concentration on the part of the reader as Calasso analyzes the stories and their themes, but for an attentive reader it should not be overwhelmingly difficult. Calasso's style can take a little getting used to. I do not know whether to blame the author or the translator, but the book is riddled with sentence fragments which sometimes make for choppiness in the train of thought. However, there are not so many of these as to be overly distracting, and once used to the style, they are easier to digest.

One final word of warning: The is a book for adults. If it were a movie, it would be rated X, and is best suited for readers of high school age and up. Greek sexual values would be seen as licentious by many readers of today, and Calasso makes no effort to censor them. There are extensive, detailed passages on the practice of sodomizing young boys, and on the abduction and rape of women. There is also an abundance of incest, as the Greek gods and goddesses were mind-bogglingly inbred. For example, after deposing his father, Kronos, Zeus sleeps with his mother, Demeter (a.k.a. Rhea), resulting in the birth of Persephone. Zeus then sleeps with Persephone to produce Zagreus, the first incarnation of Dionysus. The book contains debauchery in every possible form, graphically described, so this is not the version of Greek mythology to start your little ones with.

That said, however, I would highly recommend the book to mature audiences. "The Marriage of Cadmus and Harmony" an insightful and highly enjoyable read. Greek mythology has never ceased to captivate readers of subsequent ages, and Calasso offers us a clear new perspective on these ancient tales. This is a book to read slowly and to savor. It is a book you will probably want to read more than once, as it offers plenty to think about, and it certainly deserves a place on the bookshelf of anyone interested in Greek mythology and culture.

A Voice from Inside the Myths.......2004-10-02

It's a cliché often used in book reviews, but like the Greek myths in the masterful hands of Roberto Calasso, The Marriage of Cadmus and Harmony reinvigorates the cliché with a new and powerful meaning: This is a work of staggering genius.

Calasso doesn't talk "about" the myths; he talks from inside them as though they have assimilated him and he now speaks with their voice. That might sound overly poetical to some, but Calasso does write like the Platonic poet possessed by a Muse.

For example, his discussion about the relationship for the ancient Greeks among beauty and necessity and necessity with the good didn't employ the usual distancing discursive approach. Rather, he made the explanation visual by employing the very terms and relationships among the myths themselves:

"As the years passed the leaves and the petals of beauty fell away, leaving only the cold fetter of the circle, unadorned necessity....In the girdle of Aphrodite, in the crown, in the body of Helen and her phantom, beauty is superimposed over necessity, cloaking it in deceit (p. 114).

This book is stunning.

Stimulate your mind.......2002-01-24

Wonderful deconstruction and analysis of Greek Mythology. A really enjoyable and thought provoking read.

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THE MARRIAGE OF CADMUS AND HARMONY.
Roberto Calasso
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books

Fairy Tales | Genre Fiction | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 022403037X

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The Marriage of Cadmus & Harmony
Roberto Calasso
Manufacturer: Random House of Canada, Limited
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0394280369

Book Description

But where did it all begin? No better answer to that question exists than in the Greek myths that are retold to breathtaking effect Roberto Calasso. Presenting the stories of Zeus and Europa, Theseus and Ariadne, the birth of Athens and the fall of Troy, in all their variants, Calasso uncovers the origins of secrets and tragedy, virginity and rape, and above all, humanity's tormented relations with the gods. The result is an international literary event, a work of spellbinding playfulness, eroticism wonder.

--

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Marriage of Cadmus & Harmony
Roberto Calasso
Manufacturer: ALFRED A KNOPF
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000UDXQ8A

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Marriage of Cadmus & Harmony
Roberto Calasso
Manufacturer: ALFRED A KNOPF
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000UCBZF2

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THE MARRIAGE OF CADMUS AND HARMONY

Manufacturer: Alfred A. Knopf
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000GR789I

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The Marriage of Cadmus and Harmony
Roberto CALASSO
Manufacturer: Alfred A. Knopf
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000UZZDO8

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THE MARRIAGE OF CADMUS AND HARMONY.
Roberto. Calasso
Manufacturer: Jonathan Cape
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Historical | Genre Fiction | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

General | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0224042602

Book Description

She came to the Highlands an innocent bride, but one man's love and two nations' enmity would make her a woman....

In her unforgettable novel Kilgannon, Kathleen Givens brought to vivid life the tempestuous romance of Mary Lowell, an English aristocrat, and the Scottish chieftain Alex MacGannon, who claimed her as his bride. Swept into a world of ancient customs, fierce passions, and political treachery, she never expected her life to take root in the Highlands, that she'd become... The Wild Rose of Kilgannon.

Now Mary and Alex's love story continues. As the fires of war engulf Castle Kilgannon, beautiful Mary stands fast, protecting her family and home. But when news comes of the capture of her beloved Alex, Mary vows to rescue her brave husband, who offered his life to save his men. As a defiant Alex is tried in London as a traitor, Mary unleashes her own campaign on London society, determined to win justice on the most dangerous battlefield of all. Even as Alex remains imprisoned in the Tower, she seeks his passionate embrace, forbidden and unforgettable, risking everything to free the rugged freedom fighter who has claimed her, body and soul . . .

Don't miss the first novel in the breathtaking MacGannon Family Saga, Kilgannon, available from Dell.

Customer Reviews:

The Wild Rose of Kilgannon.......2007-08-10

This is another excellent historical adventure written by Kathleen Givens. If you are like me and "love a story", the "Kilgannon Series" should be put on the top of your list.

Drama and Trauma Continue.......2007-07-16

The sequel to Kilgannon, Wild Rose of Kilgannon picks up almost precisely where its predecessor left off. Alex Macgannon, Earl of Kilgannon, has been seized by the English after the failure of the Jacobite uprising, and his wife Mary is left at home trying to hold his family and clan together. Once it is determined that Alex will face trial and probable execution, Mary takes matters into her own hands and follows him, first to Edinburgh and then back to her native London, doing all she can to free him from his captors. Aided in her quest by Alex's loyal kinsmen and clan and her own aristocratic family, Mary must continually face the very real probability that her husband's life will be forfeit and that she will be left alone and destitute with his children.

This is a worthy sequel to the first book, and the action does put one in mind of the Outlander series. There is much trauma involved and Mary and her family are not always infallible. It is easy to believe that events might have played out this way for those Scottish lairds who joined in the uprising. Again, Givens glosses over any sexual scenes, leaving all to our imaginations, which actually creates a deeper emotional bond between the characters.

A few nitpicky things bothered me, however. First, that Mary finds herself pregnant after one night with Alex, and after several previous miscarriages, has little to no difficulty carrying the baby, despite the major stress she is under, did not seem plausible to me. Second, the author chose to continually have the characters cry "I love ye, lass," and "And I you, my love" until I wished they'd find some other way to express themselves. Minor irritations, to be sure, but some tighter editing might have made this good novel into an even better one. A fine entry into the historical romance category and one that will have you staying up to find out just how Mary and Alex are going to find their happily-ever-after.

Good Read.......2007-03-06

Yes, agreed, read Kilgannon first.
I am mesmorized by this time period and this land, Scotland, that is.
I am interested to see if Givens takes on for #3. She certainly left it open to the possibility.

Much better than the first.......2004-08-24

I was very disappointed after reading Kilgannon and questioned whether or not to even read this book. After completing it I am glad that I did. This second book in the series was much better written than the first and definitely more interesting. I think that Kilgannon and The Wild Rose of Kilgannon should have been made into one book instead of two. I think that people would have been more receptive to the story had it been complete given that Kilgannon was more like an introduction and not an entire story.

As good as KilGannon.......2003-05-28

The love story of Alex and Mary continues...Alex MacGannon prefers not to fight in the upcoming war between the English and his fellow Scotsmen. However, his friends, the MacKinnon and the MacDonald, persuaded Alex into join James Stewart's cause. Alex leaves behind his beloved Mary Rose and his two sons from a previous marriage to fight for Scotland's freedom. However, Alex finds the Scottish leadership lacking in both courage and tactics. He stayed with his fellow Scotsmen even when James Stewart flees to France (Coward!!)and leave them to fret for themselves. Alex refuses to go home in spite of missing his family and his home greatly. He wants to be sure that all his people return home safely and in doing so, he is forced to surrender to the English, who imprison him in the Tower. Though English, Mary risks her own safety by travelling to London to save the man she loves. This is an amazing sequel of the KilGannon and Alex is an amazing hero, who understands loyalty as he insures his men safely return to their homes. And Mary, who gave up everything to go to Scotland with Alex, is more than willing to give up even more for her beloved's freedom. This is a must read for you Scottish Romance readers out there!! But as I finished the last page, it does make me wonder if there will be another book after The Wild Rose of KilGannon.....Wouldn't it be great? ;) I hope so...

Amazon.com

David Weber, author of the enormously popular Honor Harrington military SF series, takes to deep space and the high seas in the opening chapters of Apocalypse Troll. The fateful space battle and resulting spaceship crash that bring together Colonel Ludmilla Leonova and Captain Richard Aston, U.S. Navy, set the stage for another rip-roaring, guns-blazing science fiction adventure. When Captain Aston finds out Colonel Leonova's secret, he eagerly offers his help, then finds himself in the middle of an extremely dangerous military situation. Weber's fast plots, nonstop action, and attention to detail are what makes his books so much fun to read, and Apocalypse Troll is no exception. --Adam Fisher

Customer Reviews:

compare this to "On Armageddon Reef".......2007-09-10

Fans of Weber will have noticed his tendency to recycle broad plot settings. For example, his latest tome, Off Armageddon Reef, is an improved rendition of his Children of Empire series. But the starting scenario in OAR also closely resembles the backdrop of this book. In Troll, we have an enemy bent on wiping out humans. With an advantage in numbers and worlds. But the opening scene is where humans have proved more adaptable and having driven them back to a few worlds, and are on the verge of victory.

While in OAR, humans also faced a more numerous enemy. The humans were more versatile, and had better weapons and tactics. But were essentially defeated. And in a last ditch effort to stave off extinction, sent a secret fleet fleeing into the unknown. Taken together, OAR and Troll are like head and tail of the same coin. Weber uses his author's license to investigate both outcomes.

Loads of fun!!.......2006-03-28

While waiting my turn at the Honor Harrington series, I picked up this book in order to get a taste of David Weber. I was very happy with what I read. This book is a great deal of fun - lots of action, a great work of military science fiction (read: SCIENCE FICTION to those who are going "oh, but this doesn't make sense" - yeah - it's SCIENCE FICTION!! Who knows what might make sense in an alternate reality?? Heh - maybe the laws of physics, etc. are different there? *laugh*) and, of course, for those who are interested, just a teeny, tiny bit of romance thrown in. Or lust - maybe you could call it lust. At any rate, it was a very enjoyable read and I'm very glad I picked it up and took the time - I will definitely put it on my "read again after I get through the hundreds waiting to be read" list. Another I highly recommend to those who enjoy a good military science fiction book that adds a bit of humor, a bit of fun, and whole lot of action.

very good but a little trite.......2006-03-05

Good story. The time shifting in the hyper bands, the trolls, the hunt for the troll are great story plots. Some of the interpersonal relationships are a little hard to believe though.

Great Stuff!.......2005-12-19

David Weber does another great job in this stand alone novel. As with most of his work, this is one of military fiction. That is what Weber does best.

In the future, humanity encounters another civilization that considers all other life forms to be a perversion of nature to be destroyed. This means us. Fortunately, humanity is the most advanced species they have ever tried to wipe out. Since they usually find agrarian cultures, they are not prepared for a real conflict and humanity manages to fight them off, barely. It takes the news of this defeat quite a while to make it back to the alien culture so humanity has a chance to prepare for the next wave. In doing so, we exhibit our advantage. We are quick to adapt and are particularly adept at matters of physics. The aliens do not develop so quickly but they have their own advantage in the biological sciences. All of this serves as prologue.

As the book opens, humanity is about to win its war. The aliens gamble on a last ditch effort they send a fleet hurtling towards earth in an attempt to take advantage of a theoretical possibility of time travel. Their intention is to destroy humanity before it has a chance to become dangerous. A human fleet tries first to intercept them and then to follow them. In the process, most of it is destroyed. A single being from each side, each with a single ship, manage to make it but they wind up in approximately our time. That sets up the introduction.

The rest of the book involves the effort of the alien cyborg to subvert humanity and the efforts of humanity with its visitor from the future to stop that plan. It is exciting reading from start to finish.

Very good story, page turner - with flaws.......2004-04-22

I picked this up at Borders, and got involved. Like the guy says below, it's not a bodice-ripper. It's a military sci-fi story, and it's quite good. It's got his usual clearly monstrous bad-guy critter(s) that nobody would have any problem killing.

Like much of Weber's stuff, he has excellent battle scenes, and as long as the scene makes sense as a decision that seems reasonable, it's great. Only thing is, that at critical points it doesn't seem reasonable. The final battle scene - well - given the setup, it would have been handled differently. Wouldn't have been an infantry battle. Would have been 1, maybe 10 nuclear missiles instead. I just can't believe anyone would make that decision, because of the risk.

But it's a good story. I'm just a stickler for authenticity of details at all levels.

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Apocalypse Troll Prepak
David Weber
Manufacturer: Baen Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Spy Stories & Tales of Intrigue | Thrillers | Mystery & Thrillers | Subjects | Books
General | Mystery & Thrillers | Subjects | Books
Weber, David | ( W ) | Authors, A-Z | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books
General | Science Fiction | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0671718096

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David Weber ~ Random Titles (WE FEW, ON BASILISK STATION, THE HONOR OF THE QUEEN, 1633, CRUSADE, THE APOCALYPSE TROLL,HONOR HARRINGTON {On Basilisk Station}, IN DEATH GROUND, BOLO!, BOLO BRIGADE, THE FAR SIDE of the STARS)
William H. Keith, JR., Steve White, Keith Laumer, Eric Flint, David Weber
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000WLV7WM

Book Description

The story of John Chang, the first man to be documented performing pyrokinesis, telekinesis, levitation, telepathy, and other paranormal abilities.

• The author, a mechanical engineer, provides scientific explanations of how these powers work.

• For the first time, the discipline of Mo-Pai is introduced to the West.

In 1988 the documentary Ring of Fire was released to great acclaim. The most startling sequence in the film is that of a Chinese-Javanese acupuncturist who demonstrates his full mastery of the phenomenon of chi, or bio-energy, by generating an electrical current within his body, which he uses first to heal the filmmaker of an eye infection and then to set a newspaper on fire with his hand. Ring of Fire caused thousands to seek out this individual, John Chang, in pursuit of instruction. Of the many Westerners who have approached him, John Chang has accepted five as apprentices. Kosta Danaos is the second of those five.

In his years of study with John Chang, Danaos has witnessed and experienced pyrokinesis, telekinesis, levitation, telepathy, and much more exotic phenomena. He has spoken with spirits and learned the secrets of reincarnation. Most important, he has learned John Chang's story. John Chang is the direct heir to the lineage of the sixth-century b.c. sage Mo-Tzu, who was Confucius's greatest rival. His discipline, called the Mo-Pai, is little-known in the West and has never before been the subject of a book. Now, John Chang has decided to bridge the gap between East and West by allowing a book to be published revealing the story of his life, his teachings, and his powers. It will surely expedite what may well become the greatest revolution of the twenty-first century--the verification and study of bio-energy.

Customer Reviews:

Mindblowing.......2006-10-23

This book blew me away. It's the incredible tale of John Chang, a internal arts master, as told by one his students. As the author is a former scientist, everything is presented in an objective, responsible, almost skeptical manner. Too often we forget what we're capable of and what the universe can offer us, with the right intent and commitment. This book is a great reminder.

Excellent read.......2006-10-22

Fascinating look into a nei kung practitioner's life. Danaos has a tremendous knack for descriptive storytelling and provides much information via [Sifu] John Chang regarding the inner workings of metaphysics and the fabled chi energy. However I question (and this may be a slightly cynical side of me) how the author managed to recall (or even take notes on) the numerous conversations he had with Chang so accurately. Either he has a near-Elephantine memory, or he was embellishing many experiences and details- and if the latter occurred it questions his credibility. It should never be underestimated writers' ability to overdramatize (and perhaps outright BS) for the sake of a more interesting book, and although there is no proof of this here, I think it's a valid question esp. given the subject matter (psychic abilities and the like) which has long been associated with unscrupulous individuals. Danaos either took phenomenal practically word-for-word notes of conversations, or he fudged here and there which calls into question the witnessed telekinesis, levitation, etc.

All this being said- whether the book represents the unblemished truth, imaginative fictions or a combination of both, it's a fascinating read as it gives a close and detailed look into the life, philosophies and workings of a truly remarkable man. Students of metaphysics, spirituality, psychic phenomena, paranormal and the mental/spiritual aspects of martial arts should find this a must-read.

Best Book I've Ever Read.......2006-07-11

This book is a must for anyone who is interested in Qi-Gong, Nei Kung, or Taoism and is also highly recommended to anyone who enjoys a good story. Each chapter is split up into a narrative section(s), and an educational section(s).

This is a true story about the author's (Kosta Danaos) first couple of years under the tutelage of John Chang, an authentic taoist master. John has gained amazing powers through meditation and an art called Nei Kung. Some of these powers (healing, telekenesis, levitation, etc.) are demonstrated and explained throughout the book. Also, because Nei Kung uses a level system, the first few levels are also explained (unfortunately, you are not instructed on how to obtain said levels and any instruction mentioned is very vague).

The educational section(s) of each chapter simply explains and gives background on what's being discussed in the narrative section, making this an easier read for people who don't have extensive knowledge on Qi Gong or Taoism. Also, there are two appendices. One contains more explanation, background, and history on Taoism, Qi, Qi Gong, and Nei Kung, while the other, entitled "Observations and Speculation", contains, well, observations and speculation.

The only downfall to this book is that in two of the final chapters, "Epilogue" and "Appendix Two: Observations and Speculation", the author (Kosta Danaos) gets a little too "all over the place". It's as if he just wrote down every thought that came to mind (though I'm sure that's not what happened). This made these chapters feel more like a journal entry than a chapter in a book, they weren't really consistent with the rest of the book. However, this is a small price to pay for such a good read.

Definitely pick this one up.

No teachings to be found in this book, bad title........2006-01-08

I read this book twice. The second time with a highlighter. I found only about one page of actual teachings on how one can gain the abilities that he says his teacher has. His second book is even worse, it just repeats what is in this book.
Don't get me wrong I have studied the internal arts for years now and I truly believe that what he says his teacher can do can be done. But this is not the book to learn them from. He even says at one point that he does not give the instruction for fear of these powers falling into the wrong hand. Frankly the largest failing of this book is that it is very poorly written.
Honestly don't bother, read instead "The Magus of Strovolos" a much better book.

masters do exist.......2005-10-13

I have never met this guy but I have met a master with abilities that I only thought were written about in book. If anyone is interested this master still teaches in the US and can be found at emeiqigong.com. If you dont believe you will after training with the master, thats at least how it happened for me.

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