Even after nearly 3000 years, the Odyssey captivates the unprejudiced reader with its moving tale of adventure and homecoming, its vivid scenes, the breadth of worldly experience, and its remarkably contemporary psychology. Uvo Hölscher's book deepens this literary enjoyment through explanations of narrative art, mythology, the historical context, and the meaning of poetry, all presented in a form accessible to all readers interested in literature.