Mythology: Timeless Tales of Gods and Heroes is one of the seminal compendiums of classical Greek and Roman stories of the 20th century. And it has long been used as a textbook in schools. Now a 75th-anniversary edition features a new design as well as colored plates by illustrator Jim Tierney. Throughout Mythology, Hamilton condenses various texts into fluid stories about the ancient heroes and gods of the Mediterranean. Beautifully laid out, the book is a perfect gift for lovers of mythology who aren't interested in digging into the ancient texts themselves (teenagers are a perfect fit, since the writing level is a little complex for younger readers). --Noah Cruickshank, adult engagement manager, the Field Museum, Chicago, Ill.