Classics

The Odyssey Abridged

By Homer

Translated by Ian Johnston

$16.95

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Softcover $16.95 Hardcover $18.95

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Homer's Odyssey, composed in the eighth century BC, is the most influential and most popular epic poem in our cultural traditions. The story of Odysseus' adventures on his return home from the Trojan War has inspired the imaginations of readers for centuries and has become an integral part of our civilization's greatest artistic achievements, exerting its appeal on writers, painters, poets, film makers, and others, right up to the present time.

Ian Johnston's abridged version of this magnificent poem, approximately one third the length of the original, is based upon his acclaimed new translation of the entire work (also published by Richer Resources Publications). Every line in the abridged text comes from Homer's poem, and a few short summary comments are included to keep the narrative thrust of the action coherent. This abridgment also has explanatory footnotes, a glossary of names and places, a floor plan of Odysseus' palace, and a map of his route home. It thus serves as an ideal entry into Homer's poem for those who do not have the time yet to tackle the full poem.

Category: Classics
ISBN (softcover): 978-0-9776269-9-1
ISBN (hardcover): 978-1-9352385-6-0
e-ISBN: 978-1-935238-03-4
Author: Homer
Translator: Ian Johnston

I am a pre-service teacher in California. As I was doing my fieldwork I came across the Ian Johnston translation of “The Odyssey,” which I then showed to my master teacher. He liked the translation so much that he wants to use it exclusively in his classes. When I get my own classroom, I plan to always use the Ian Johnson translation of any text that is available. These texts are far superior for the secondary classroom setting and I am so excited that I found them. I just wanted to say thank you for making available such a useful classroom tool. (California)

— Jaime A.
Ian Johnston has pulled it off: at last we have an Odyssey in English which is as natural, direct, and straightforward as the original Greek but which loses nothing of Homer's music. A model translation, ideal for students and lovers of poetry alike -- this is an Odyssey which sings.

— Professor Jack Mitchell Department of Classics College of the Holy Cross
Excellent translation, easy to read, wonderful entry to epic Greek poems.