Looking for the best books about Greek mythology? Our team read through Homer, Hesiod, and a stack of modern retellings to find the 12 titles that genuinely earn shelf space. Whether you want the original epics, a witty audiobook companion, or a feminist reimagining from a goddess’s point of view, this list has a place to start.
Greek mythology books split into three buckets: primary sources (the original ancient epics and tragedies), modern retellings (contemporary novels that reinvent the myths), and compendia (reference works that map the whole pantheon). We included picks from all three so you can build a balanced library.
A quick content note before we begin. Many of these books contain depictions of sexual violence, war trauma, and graphic cruelty. The ancient myths themselves were unflinching, and most modern retellings preserve that honesty. We have flagged specific books where the content is heaviest so you can choose with care.
Table of Contents
Top 3 Picks for Best Books About Greek Mythology (October 2026)
Best Books About Greek Mythology in 2026
| Product | Specs | Action |
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 Circe |
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 Blood of Hercules |
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 Mythos |
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 Ariadne |
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 Heroes |
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| Mythology 75th Anniversary |
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 I, Medusa |
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 Mythology |
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 Homer Iliad and Odyssey |
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 Clytemnestra |
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 D’Aulaires’ Greek Myths |
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 The Odyssey |
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1. Circe by Madeline Miller – The Witch Who Outlived the Gods
Pros
- Lyrical prose
- Feminist perspective
- Strong character arc
- Kindle X-Ray
Cons
- Middle sections feel slow
I picked up Circe on a friend’s recommendation and finished it in three sittings. Madeline Miller reimagines the witch from the Odyssey as a nymph who discovers witchcraft, gets banished to Aeaea, and lives through centuries of gods, heroes, and monsters passing through her island.
The voice Miller gives Circe is what makes the book. She is not a seductress or a villain. She is a quiet, observant woman learning what power costs and what loneliness does. I found myself highlighting passages every few pages.
Reading order matters here. If you want the full emotional payoff, read the Odyssey first or alongside. Miller layers in references to Odysseus, Telemachus, and the house of Aeson that land much harder when you know what Homer did with them.
What surprised me most was the structure. The book spans roughly 3,000 years of mythological time, and Miller handles it with real craft. The chapters feel like beads on a string, each one a different phase of Circe’s long life.
If you only read one book from this list, this is the one I would hand you. It works for readers new to mythology and for classicists who want to see the canon refreshed. There is a reason this book has nearly 100,000 reviews.
For whom Circe is good
Readers who want a female-centered retelling of Greek myth will find this one exceptional. If you loved the Madeline Miller prose style, this is her masterpiece. Anyone coming off Song of Achilles will find the same craft applied to a different corner of the canon.
It also works for readers who do not normally pick up fantasy or mythology. The novel reads as literary fiction with mythological bones, so it does not require prior knowledge of the gods.
For whom Circe is less ideal
If you want a fast-paced plot, this is not that book. The narrative moves slowly through the centuries, and the middle stretch on Aeaea can feel meditative to the point of drift. Readers looking for action-heavy mythology should pair this with Homer’s Odyssey rather than reading it alone.
2. Blood of Hercules by Jasmine Mas – Romantasy With Mythology Bones
Blood of Hercules: Villains of Lore, Book 1
By Jasmine Mas
15 hr 54 min audiobook
November 2024
MIRA
Pros
- Full cast narration
- Romantasy appeal
- Strong opening
- Long listening length
Cons
- Romance tropes feel formulaic
I went into Blood of Hercules skeptical because Greek mythology romantasy has become a crowded shelf. Within the first hour of the audiobook, I understood why it has nearly 50,000 reviews. The premise takes the Hercules myth and bends it into a darker academy-style story with gods and monsters.
The full cast narration is the standout production choice. Multiple narrators handle different character lines, which keeps the long runtime feeling like a TV adaptation rather than a single-voice read. I listened during long drives and the time disappeared.
This is book one of the Villains of Lore trilogy, so the ending lands on a setup rather than a resolution. That frustrated me slightly, but it also explains why the audiobook is so long. There is a lot of worldbuilding to fit.
Greek mythology purists will not love this book. It uses the myth as flavor, not as a translation of the original story. Readers who want a strict retelling should look elsewhere on this list.
If you came to mythology through Percy Jackson or Lore Olympus and want something more adult, this is a natural bridge. The spice level is moderate, and the prose keeps up with the genre.
For whom Blood of Hercules is good
Readers who devour Booktok and Bookstagram romantasy will find this on-brand and gripping. Listeners who want a long audiobook for road trips or commutes get nearly 16 hours of content. Anyone who wants a Hercules-adjacent story with darker themes will appreciate the tonal shift from the original myth.
For whom Blood of Hercules is less ideal
Readers looking for a faithful retelling of the Hercules myth will be disappointed. If you want literary prose in the Madeline Miller mold, this is not that book. The romance-first structure also means the mythology takes a back seat.
3. Mythos by Stephen Fry – The Audiobook Gold Standard
Pros
- Author-narrated
- Witty tone
- Accessible entry
- Long listen
Cons
- Some factual embellishments
Stephen Fry’s Mythos is the audiobook I recommend when someone says they want to understand Greek mythology but do not want to read Homer. Fry narrates it himself, and his voice carries the kind of dry British wit that makes the gods feel like eccentric uncles.
The book covers the creation myths through the rise of the Olympian gods. It is not a translation of the original sources but a retelling with a modern voice. Fry openly admits to taking liberties for narrative flow, which is part of why it works.
I have listened to Mythos twice. The first time as a refresher before re-reading the Iliad, and the second time just for pleasure. Both listens held up. Fry finds a balance between comedy and gravity that the myths themselves rarely achieve in translation.
Compared to Edith Hamilton’s Mythology (also on this list), Fry feels more like a friend telling you stories at a pub. Hamilton reads like a textbook. Both have value, but they serve different moods.
This is book one of Stephen Fry’s Greek Myths series. Heroes (book 2), Troy (book 3), and Odyssey (book 4) extend the same approach to specific myth cycles.
For whom Mythos is good
Beginners who want a gentle on-ramp to Greek mythology will find this the friendliest entry point. Audiobook listeners who enjoy author-narrated works will love Fry’s voice and timing. Anyone curious about the gods but intimidated by Homer’s hexameter should start here.
For whom Mythos is less ideal
Readers who want primary source scholarship will not find it here. Fry takes liberties, and that will bother purists. If you want the raw myths, this should sit beside Homer, not replace him.
4. Ariadne by Jennifer Saint – The Sister Who Got Left Out
Pros
- Strong female lead
- Feminist retelling
- Accessible prose
- Fast read
Cons
- Romance underdeveloped
Ariadne is the mythological character I had the most questions about after reading Circe. Jennifer Saint takes her out of the Theseus-and-the-Minotaur legend and gives her a full life, with her sister Phaedra as a counterweight.
The book is short and propulsive. I read it in an afternoon. Saint does not pad the prose, which makes the emotional beats land harder. The closing chapters in particular are devastating in a quiet way.
Where Madeline Miller writes with literary density, Saint writes with momentum. Both approaches work. I would hand Circe to a literary fiction reader and Ariadne to someone who wants a faster narrative.
This is Saint’s debut novel, and she followed it with Elektra, Atalanta, and Hera. Together the four books form a loose series of women’s perspectives on Greek myth. If you like Ariadne, the others are worth queueing up.
The book does not shy away from the darker corners of the myth. Sexual violence appears on the page, though it is not gratuitous. Readers sensitive to that content should know going in.
For whom Ariadne is good
Readers who want a quick, emotionally rich retelling will love this book. Fans of Natalie Haynes and Pat Barker will find a similar voice here. Anyone curious about the women who got erased from the Theseus legend will appreciate Saint’s focus on Ariadne and Phaedra.
For whom Ariadne is less ideal
If you want deep literary prose, Saint is not Miller. The writing is efficient rather than lush. Readers expecting a slow meditation on myth should look at Circe or Song of Achilles instead.
5. Heroes by Stephen Fry – The Companion Pick
Heroes: The Greek Myths Reimagined
By Stephen Fry
15 hr 1 min audiobook
April 2020
Chronicle Books
Pros
- Author-narrated
- Hero-focused
- Witty style
- Sequel-friendly
Cons
- Better after Mythos
Heroes is the second volume in Stephen Fry’s Greek Myths series, and it focuses on the great heroes: Perseus, Heracles, Jason, Theseus, and others. The structure is parallel to Mythos but covers more narrative ground per chapter.
Like Mythos, the audiobook is narrated by Fry himself. His vocal characterizations for the gods are what make this work. Athena gets a clipped, managerial energy. Dionysus sounds perpetually amused. These small choices add up.
I would not start with Heroes if you have not read or listened to Mythos first. There are references to the creation myths and the Titan wars that assume you have the foundation.
The hero myths are also darker than the creation myths. Heracles in particular does brutal things across his twelve labors, and Fry does not flinch from that. The audiobook handles it with the same even tone.
If you are collecting the series, this is the second of four volumes. Troy and Odyssey complete the set.
For whom Heroes is good
Readers who enjoyed Mythos will find more of the same voice and approach here. Anyone interested in the specific hero myths will get a thorough treatment. Audiobook listeners who like British narration will enjoy Fry’s delivery.
For whom Heroes is less ideal
This should not be your first Greek mythology book. The series works best in order. Listeners who want the full myth without editorial embellishment should look at Apollodorus or Robert Graves instead.
6. Mythology 75th Anniversary Edition by Edith Hamilton – The Illustrated Reference
Mythology (75th Anniversary Illustrated Edition): Timeless Tales of Gods and Heroes
Edith Hamilton
384 pages
75th Anniversary 2017
Black Dog and Leventhal
Pros
- Jim Tierney illustrations
- Hardcover quality
- Comprehensive scope
- Reference value
Cons
- Heavier than paperback
Edith Hamilton’s Mythology has been the default Western reference on Greek myth since 1942. This 75th anniversary edition adds illustrations by Jim Tierney that make the book feel like a gift volume rather than a textbook.
I have the paperback original on my shelf and this hardcover on my coffee table. The hardcover is heavy and oversized, which makes it harder to read in bed but ideal as a reference or display copy.
Hamilton’s prose is unfussy and clear. She treats the myths as stories rather than as objects of academic analysis, which is exactly why the book has stayed in print for more than 80 years.
The book covers Greek, Norse, and Egyptian mythology. Most readers use the Greek sections and skip the rest, but the Norse section is solid and the Egyptian section is serviceable as an introduction.
If you want a single reference volume to anchor your Greek mythology library, this is the most beautiful one currently in print. The original paperback (also on this list) is the better value if you do not need the illustrations.
For whom the 75th Anniversary Edition is good
Collectors who want a display-quality reference book will love this edition. Readers who benefit from illustrations to retain myth names will find Tierney’s work genuinely useful. Gift-buyers looking for a single mythology book for someone curious will find the hardcover format appropriate.
For whom the 75th Anniversary Edition is less ideal
If you want a portable paperback to carry around, the hardcover format works against you. Budget-conscious readers should pick the original paperback instead. Anyone who already owns the standard Hamilton does not need to upgrade unless they value the illustrations.
7. I, Medusa by Ayana Gray – A 2025 Reclamation
I, Medusa: A Novel
By Ayana Gray
11 hr 33 min audiobook
November 2025
Random House Audio
Pros
- Medusa centered
- Feminist angle
- Strong narration
- Recent release
Cons
- Ending feels rushed
- Some repetition
I, Medusa came out in late 2025 and became one of the most discussed mythology releases of the year. Ayana Gray takes the Gorgon and gives her a backstory that centers trauma, rage, and reclamation of agency.
The audiobook is narrated with a controlled intensity that suits the material. Gray is better known as a YA author, but this book works for adult readers. The themes are mature without being gratuitous.
Compared to Natalie Haynes’s Stone Blind (which is the other major Medusa retelling in print), Gray’s version is shorter and more emotionally compressed. Haynes goes longer and slower. Both work, but they serve different reading moods.
This is the most recent release on our list. If you want to read mythology books that reflect current conversations about consent and voice, this one is firmly in that camp.
The book is a standalone novel, which makes it approachable. You do not need to know the broader myth cycle to follow the story.
For whom I, Medusa is good
Readers who want contemporary mythology fiction will find this on-trend and well-executed. Anyone curious about Medusa beyond the Perseus myth will appreciate the backstory Gray builds. Listeners who want a shorter audiobook (under 12 hours) will find this fits a weekend listen.
For whom I, Medusa is less ideal
If you want a slower, more literary Medusa retelling, Stone Blind by Natalie Haynes is the better pick. Readers sensitive to depictions of assault may find the early chapters difficult even though Gray handles the material with care.
8. Mythology by Edith Hamilton – The Original Paperback
Mythology: Timeless Tales of Gods and Heroes
Edith Hamilton
512 pages
January 2011
Grand Central Publishing
Pros
- Affordable
- Portable format
- Classic prose
- School standard
Cons
- No illustrations
If you want the Hamilton content without the anniversary hardcover format, this mass-market paperback is the same book in a smaller, lighter package. It is the edition I carried through my undergraduate classics courses.
The paperback has 512 pages and weighs under a pound. It slips into a backpack or large purse easily, which makes it the practical choice if you want to read on the go.
Hamilton’s organization holds up. The Greek section runs from creation myths through the Trojan War cycle, then the Norse section, then Egyptian. Each chapter is short and self-contained, so you can read in any order.
This edition has been in continuous print since the 1940s in various covers. The current Grand Central edition is the standard school and library version. Used copies are widely available if you want to save more.
For whom the paperback is good
Students who need a required text will find this the standard edition. Budget buyers who want Hamilton’s content without the anniversary hardcover markup will save meaningfully. Travelers who want a single reference book to read across a trip will appreciate the portable format.
For whom the paperback is less ideal
Collectors who want a display edition should look at the 75th anniversary hardcover instead. Readers who retain more from illustrated books will not get that help here. If you want the same content with images, the anniversary edition is the upgrade path.
9. HOMER: The Iliad and The Odyssey Deluxe Edition – Both Epics in One
HOMER: The Iliad & the Odyssey (Deluxe Hardbound Edition)
Homer
768 pages
August 2018
Fingerprint
Pros
- Both epics combined
- Hardcover format
- 768 pages
- Collectible
Cons
- Translation choices vary
If you want both Homer epics in a single volume, this Fingerprint deluxe hardcover is the most accessible option. At 768 pages it is hefty, but the binding holds up to repeated reading.
The translation in this edition is a standard prose version that reads cleanly in English. It is not the most literary translation available. If you want Emily Wilson’s Odyssey or Robert Fagles’s Iliad, look at those editions specifically.
I bought this as a gift for someone who wanted Homer on their shelf without buying two separate volumes. The format works for that purpose. For deep reading, I still prefer dedicated single-epic editions.
The Iliad covers the Trojan War and the wrath of Achilles. The Odyssey covers Odysseus’s long journey home. Together they form the backbone of Western epic literature.
This edition is also useful as a display piece. The cover design is dignified enough to leave on a coffee table.
For whom the deluxe edition is good
Gift buyers who want a single Homer volume will find this the right format. Readers who want both epics without buying two books save space and money. Collectors building a classics library will appreciate the hardcover binding.
For whom the deluxe edition is less ideal
Translation purists should buy dedicated single-epic editions with named translators. Heavy readers who prefer mass-market paperbacks will not love the weight. If you want commentary and notes, look at the Penguin Classics editions instead.
10. Clytemnestra by Costanza Casati – The Voice from the Sidelines
Clytemnestra
By Costanza Casati
14 hr 54 min audiobook
May 2023
Recorded Books
Pros
- Olivia Vinall narration
- Strong protagonist
- Debut novel
- Fierce voice
Cons
- Prose occasionally uneven
- Dense Greek names
Costanza Casati’s Clytemnestra gives voice to Helen of Troy’s sister, a character who gets mentioned but rarely centered in the Iliad cycle. The novel traces Clytemnestra from childhood through her marriage to Agamemnon and into the events the Oresteia later dramatized.
The audiobook is narrated by Olivia Vinall, whose controlled delivery suits the material. Clytemnestra is not a sympathetic protagonist in the conventional sense, and Vinall’s performance lets that ambiguity breathe.
This is Casati’s debut novel, and it reads like one in places. The prose is uneven and the Greek name density is high. But the central character carries the book, and the final act delivers on the setup.
Pair this with Madeline Miller or Jennifer Saint if you want to compare how different authors handle the same mythological women. Casati takes more liberties with characterization than either.
For whom Clytemnestra is good
Readers who want a fierce, unsympathetic female protagonist will appreciate Casati’s choices. Anyone interested in the women around the Trojan War cycle will find this a fresh angle. Audiobook listeners who enjoy British narration will like Vinall’s work.
For whom Clytemnestra is less ideal
Readers new to Greek mythology will struggle with the name density and lack of context. If you want a gentler entry point, start with Circe or Mythos first. The debut-novel unevenness may bother readers used to more polished prose.
11. D’Aulaires’ Book of Greek Myths – The Children’s Classic
D’Aulaires’ Book of Greek Myths
Ingri and Edgar Parin d'Aulaire
208 pages
March 1992
Delacorte Press
Pros
- Detailed illustrations
- Accessible language
- Ages 7 to 12
- Comprehensive scope
Cons
- Some copies lack illustrated cover
If you want to introduce a child to Greek mythology, the d’Aulaires’ book is the standard recommendation for a reason. The illustrations are detailed enough to reward rereading, and the prose is straightforward without being babyish.
The book covers the major myths from creation through the Trojan War in 208 pages. Each myth gets a short retelling with a full-page illustration. Kids aged 7 to 12 can read it independently, and younger kids enjoy it as a read-aloud.
I bought this for my niece when she was eight and watched her read it three times in a row. The d’Aulaires’ visual style has held up since the original 1962 publication, which is the strongest testimonial.
The current Delacorte Press edition is a reprint, and there is some inconsistency between printings on whether you get the illustrated cover or a plain dust jacket. Look at the product images before ordering if that matters to you.
This book is not just for kids. Adult readers who want a quick visual overview of the major myths will find it useful as a casual reference.
For whom D’Aulaires is good
Parents and grandparents buying a first mythology book will not go wrong here. Teachers building a classroom library will find the format kid-friendly. Adult readers who want an illustrated overview will appreciate the visual style.
For whom D’Aulaires is less ideal
Teens and adults who want literary prose will find this too simple. If you are buying for a teen, pair this with a Percy Jackson novel or a Madeline Miller book instead.
12. The Odyssey by Homer, Translated by Robert Fagles – The Classic Translation
The Odyssey
Homer, trans. Robert Fagles
541 pages
November 1999
Penguin Classics
Pros
- Fagles translation
- Bernard Knox notes
- Penguin Classics
- Standard edition
Cons
- Some prefer Wilson or Lattimore
Robert Fagles’s translation of the Odyssey is one of the three most widely used English versions, alongside Emily Wilson’s 2017 translation and Richmond Lattimore’s 1965 version. Fagles is the Penguin Classics standard.
The translation prioritizes readability over literal accuracy. Lines flow naturally in English, which is why Fagles works well for first-time readers. If you want a more literal translation, Lattimore is the better choice. If you want the most contemporary voice, Wilson is the better choice.
The book includes an introduction and notes by Bernard Knox, one of the leading Homer scholars of the twentieth century. The notes are useful for first-time readers who need help keeping track of characters and references.
This is the Odyssey I read in college and the one I still recommend to students. It strikes a balance between literary quality and scholarly accuracy that few translations match.
Reading the Odyssey alongside Madeline Miller’s Circe is a particularly good pairing. The references to Telemancy and the suitors land differently when you have Miller’s perspective in your head.
For whom Fagles is good
First-time readers of Homer will find Fagles the friendliest standard translation. Students needing a classroom edition will appreciate the Knox notes. Anyone building a classics shelf will want a Penguin Classics volume as a baseline.
For whom Fagles is less ideal
Readers who want the most literal translation should pick Lattimore. Readers who want a contemporary feminist voice in the translation should pick Emily Wilson’s 2017 Odyssey. Translation preference is personal, so sample chapters before committing.
How to Choose the Right Greek Mythology Book for You?
Choosing from this list comes down to three questions: what type of book you want, what format works for your life, and what prior knowledge you bring. Answering those honestly saves you from abandoning a 600-page epic halfway through.
Primary source, retelling, or reference?
Primary sources like the Iliad and Odyssey are foundational but dense. Modern retellings like Circe and Ariadne use the same myths as raw material but update the voice and perspective. Reference compendia like Edith Hamilton and Stephen Fry’s Mythos map the whole mythology systematically. Most readers benefit from at least one of each.
If you only read one book from each category, our team recommends Circe for retelling, the Fagles Odyssey for primary source, and Hamilton’s Mythology paperback for reference. That trio gives you a balanced foundation.
Print, ebook, or audiobook?
Audiobook is the strongest format for Stephen Fry’s Mythos and Heroes because Fry’s narration is the experience. Print works best for Madeline Miller, Edith Hamilton, and the D’Aulaires’ book, where you want to slow down or look at illustrations. Ebook is convenient for travel but loses the visual impact of illustrated editions.
Long audiobooks (Fry at 15+ hours, the Hamilton compendium at similar length) work well for commutes and road trips. If your reading time is fragmented, audio is the format that lets you actually finish.
How much mythology do you already know?
Beginners should start with Stephen Fry’s Mythos or the d’Aulaires’ book. Both assume no prior knowledge and explain as they go. Readers with some background can jump to Homer or the modern retellings. Readers with deep classical training will appreciate the translation choices in Fagles versus Wilson versus Lattimore.
Content warnings to know upfront
Greek mythology is not gentle material. Sexual violence, war trauma, infanticide, and graphic cruelty appear in both primary sources and modern retellings. Circe, A Thousand Ships, and Clytemnestra handle these themes explicitly. Books like D’Aulaires’ and Mythos are the gentlest entry points for younger readers or those who prefer lighter material.
Recommended reading order
If you want a clear pathway through the canon, our team suggests: start with Stephen Fry’s Mythos for a friendly overview, then read Edith Hamilton’s compendium for structure, then Homer’s Odyssey (Fagles or Wilson), then Madeline Miller’s Circe and Song of Achilles. From there, branch into the specific authors who interest you most. That sequence gives you foundation before depth.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is considered the best book on Greek mythology?
The most widely recommended book on Greek mythology is Madeline Miller’s Song of Achilles, a modern retelling of the Trojan War from Patroclus’s perspective. For the originals, Homer’s Iliad and Odyssey are foundational, while Robert Graves’s The Greek Myths remains the definitive English-language compendium. For accessible modern entry points, Stephen Fry’s Mythos trilogy and Circe by Madeline Miller are top picks.
In what order should I read Greek mythology books?
Start with Stephen Fry’s Mythos for a light, humorous introduction. Read Homer’s Odyssey, then the Iliad. Move to Hesiod’s Theogony, then Ovid’s Metamorphoses. Read a compendium like Robert Graves’s The Greek Myths or Edith Hamilton’s Mythology. Finish with modern retellings such as Song of Achilles, Circe, A Thousand Ships, The Silence of the Girls, Penelopiad, and Ariadne. That sequence builds foundation before moving to contemporary reimaginings.
What are good Greek mythology books for beginners?
Beginners should start with Stephen Fry’s Mythos, which is witty and accessible. Follow with Madeline Miller’s Circe, which assumes no prior knowledge of the myths. For the originals, Homer’s Odyssey translated by Emily Wilson and Edith Hamilton’s Mythology paperback are the friendliest introductions. Avoid jumping straight to the Iliad or Metamorphoses without orientation.
What is the difference between a primary source and a modern retelling?
Primary sources are the original Greek and Roman texts written by Homer, Hesiod, Ovid, Aeschylus, Sophocles, Euripides, and Apollodorus. Modern retellings like Circe, Song of Achilles, A Thousand Ships, and The Silence of the Girls are contemporary novels that reinterpret these myths, often from women’s or marginalized perspectives. Compendia like Robert Graves’s The Greek Myths summarize the primary sources in accessible prose.
What are good stories about Greek goddesses?
Top goddess stories include Circe by Madeline Miller for the witch of Aeaea, Hera by Jennifer Saint for the queen of Olympus, Stone Blind by Natalie Haynes for Medusa, I, Medusa by Ayana Gray for a contemporary Medusa take, Psyche and Eros by Luna McNamara, and The Penelopiad by Margaret Atwood for Penelope. These retellings center female voices that the original myths often overlooked.
Our Final Take on the Best Books About Greek Mythology
If we had to pick one book from this list to start with, our team would hand you Circe by Madeline Miller. It works for first-time readers and for classicists. The prose is literary, the protagonist is unforgettable, and it makes you want to read everything else on this list. Pair it with Homer’s Odyssey in the Fagles translation and you have a foundation that will keep you busy for months.
Greek mythology books are having a moment right now, and for good reason. The stories are still alive after three thousand years because they keep saying true things about power, fate, and what people do to each other. Pick one of these books, and you will see what we mean.