Famous Tales of Fact and Fancy / Myths and Legends of the Nations of the World Retold for Boys and Girls

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

24935

Title

Famous Tales of Fact and Fancy / Myths and Legends of the Nations of the World Retold for Boys and Girls

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

This anthology retells enduring myths and legends from Greece, Germany, England, and beyond for young readers. Featuring heroic figures like Hercules, Siegfried, and the Cid, the collection explores themes of courage, sacrifice, and the clash between divine will and human morality. With a classic, storytelling tone, it offers a rich heritage of folklore that brings ancient wonders to life.

Summary up to 500 words

Compiled and edited by Logan Marshall, *Famous Tales of Fact and Fancy* presents a rich heritage of global mythology and legend, retold specifically for young readers. The collection serves as a window into the character and history of nations, illustrating how ancient stories function as a true index to the lives and imaginations of their people. The volume opens with the Greek myth of Prometheus, the Titan who defies Jupiter to gift humanity fire, only to endure eternal punishment by an eagle. His brother Epimetheus marries Pandora, whose curiosity releases the world's evils from a casket, while the narrative also covers the ten labors of Hercules and the tragic fates of Antigone and Iphigenia. The anthology expands beyond Greece to include Germanic legends such as the heroic Siegfried and the knight Lohengrin, alongside English tales like *Beowulf* and the romance of Count Roland, who dies heroically at Roncevaux. Spanish history is brought to life through the story of Rodrigo Diaz, the historical figure known as the Cid. A brave conqueror who defeats Moorish kings and wins his wife Ximena, the Cid faces exile before returning in triumph to reclaim his family and city. Each story is adapted to preserve the dramatic tension and moral lessons of the originals while simplifying complex plots for accessibility. Whether recounting the fabulous tales of gods or the semi-historic deeds of kings, these stories offer a 'heritage of wealth' to every child, ensuring that the imagination and heart of the reader are enriched by the enduring wonders of the past.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/24935.epub.noimages

Local file path

data/epubs/pg24935.epub

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Downloaded at

2026-07-04 02:33 UTC

Categories

• Mythology
• Legends