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Gilgamesh the Hero | 
| Author: Geraldine Mccaughrean
Creator: David Parkins
Publisher: Eerdmans Books for Young Readers
Category: Book
List Price: $20.00
Buy New: $13.60
You Save: $6.40 (32%)
New (18) Used (10) from $9.95
Rating:  11 reviews
Sales Rank: 105172
Media: Hardcover
Reading Level: Ages 9-12
Pages: 96
Number Of Items: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.2
Dimensions (in): 10.4 x 7.7 x 0.6
ISBN: 0802852629
Dewey Decimal Number: 398.20956702
EAN: 9780802852625
ASIN: 0802852629
Publication Date: August 2003
Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
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| Editorial Reviews:
Product Description
A major publishing event - two of the UK's outstanding prize-winning artists working together for the first timeThe legend of Gilgamesh is the oldest known story, pre-dating both The Bible and The Iliad. An epic story about a quest for immortality, it also includes a legend of the Flood that is remarkably similar to the story of Noah.Geraldine McCaughrean has won every major prize for children's literature in this country, including the Carnegie Medal, the Whitbread Award, the Guardian Children's Fiction Award, and, most recently, The Blue Peter Best Book to Keep Forever AwardDavid Parkins is a highly acclaimed artist, and has been shortlisted for the Kurt Maschler and Smarties awards. He received many critical accolades for God's Story with Jan Mark
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| Customer Reviews: Read 6 more reviews...
 Gilgamesh the Hero September 16, 2008
C. J. Crenshaw (GA, USA)
My boys loved this book, it had a lot of action in it and every chapter was filled with a new aspect. They really enjoyed reading it as part of thier homeschool curriculum Tapestry of Grace.
 Gilgamesh the Hero July 27, 2008
Richard Lemin (Edmond, OK)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
This book is going to challenge some readers, and may even offend others... but it should be read by those who want to understand our civilization's cultural background.
It is bold in its imagery, subtle in its literacy, and straightforward in its effect. It tells tales of events that are later echoed in the Old Testament and does so without downplaying their legitimacy.
I teach world history to sixth graders, and though it might be beyond some of them, I would recommend it to my 11- and 12-year-olds without hesitation. My students are already aware of biological and cultural aspects of the Ancient World, so I doubt many would be offended by the graphic nature of the story and illustrations. More importantly, I think they would understand the greater themes that are championed by the text.
One of the best! May 23, 2008
Diane B. GOODPASTURE (Nashville, TN)
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
This version concentrates very little on fighting monsters, instead the author focuses on Gilgamesh's quest for immortality and the importance of enjoying our short lives. Gilgamesh is believed to be the world's oldest epic and the original flood story. After nearly being destroyed by a flood Gilgamesh goes on an epic journey to find the elixir of immortality. The moral of the story ends up being about accepting the things we can't change and making the most of our lives.
delightful version of one of my favorite tales April 12, 2008
A. B. King
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I had read John Gardner's version previously and highly recommend it as a more complete translation.
McCaughrean has not included every adventure of Gilgamesh and Enkidu, but has rendered a beautiful version to introduce readers to Gilgamesh and his BFF Enkidu. His trip to the Underworld is left out. She only makes a passing reference to his being 2/3 god and 1/3 man, my favorite Gilgamesh trait.
The language is beautiful. I found passages so beautifully expressed that I had to read them out loud to my household.
The illustrations add to the book. On the pages with the description of The Great Flood, the waves of the water are under the text. The image of Gilgamesh in grief is as strong an illustration of grief as one can find anywhere.
The book only took a couple of hours to read, but it lingers, like the memory of a gourmet meal, deeply satisfying.
I will look for additional books by Geraldine McCaughrean. That has to be the ultimate "good review" of an author.
Great purchase. October 2, 2007
C. A. Hart (Ohio)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
What a well-written account of the Gilgamesh story. The language is delightful, and the pictures add interest. I read it to a high school mythology class and they were attentive and enthralled.
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