Reconstructing the Shield of Achilles by Kathleen Vail is aptly described in the sub-title: An Artistic Reconstruction and Exploration of the Ingenious Ancient Greek Weapon Immortalized by Homer in Book 18 of the Iliad. Here is a book that will mesmerize fans of Homer’s Iliad and readers who have been fascinated by the world of ancient Greece. The reader follows the tale behind Achilles’ shield, forged by Hephaestus at the request of his mother, the nymph goddess, Thetis. And the god of the forge provides Achilles with the perfect weapon. The book follows the adventures of this young hero who hates war but who is destined for glory as he sets out to bring the city of Troy down and exact revenge. Kathleen Vail deconstructs the Greek world and Homer’s world, enabling readers to feel the beauty of the work, to immerse themselves in the setting in which the great poet wrote.

This book is well researched, featuring interesting and eye-catching images from the ancient Greek world. The references are seamlessly crafted into the writing. I had the feeling of walking into Achilles’ world, of feeling his heartbeat, and being in contact with a culture that is so ancient and yet feels so familiar. Reconstructing the Shield of Achilles is a work of art that examines the different components of a tale that has fascinated readers over the centuries — the setting with cultural nuances, political conflicts, and the place of power in the Greek world, with images pulled from the day-to-day lifestyle of the era, and a lot more. This book is intelligently presented, rendered in language that is as accessible as it is delightful. It is a beautiful offering to aficionados of Homer’s Iliad.

I spent my childhood reading about heroes. First, the heroes of the Bible. My mother is very religious and approved of my love for men like Samson, King David, and Moses. Then I discovered the Greek Pantheon and its heroes, and I could not get enough of those stories. As I grew up, I realized that Hollywood drew deeply from that source and those ancient Greek stories are part of the bedrock of our popular culture. This bedrock is built on the hard work and dedication of real researchers who go out and find the facts that underlie the myth. That is why Reconstructing the Shield of Achilles by Kathleen Vail resonated so much with me. I loved it! I loved it because I can see the painstaking care of someone who loves those stories as much, maybe even more than I do.

Reconstructing the Shield of Achilles is very well written. The content lays out the history behind one of the greatest and earliest wars in human history. Many of the principle characters are there. Thetis, the mother of Achilles, Helen, the most beautiful woman in the world, Menelaus, the wronged husband, and so many more. Kathleen Vail lays out the story and gives us all the background as she reconstructs the shield and why it was made. Rich in detail, myth, and history, this is indeed a story for the ages. If you love Greek mythology and want to delve deeper into its roots, then this is the book for you.

Reconstructing the Shield of Achilles by Kathleen Vail is a scholarly attempt to put some meat and vision to the legendary shield of the warrior Achilles from Greek fable and mythology, especially as described by Homer in his numerous epic poems, such as the Iliad and the Odyssey. The author takes us on a trip through legendary Greek history, describing in detail the circumstances and the background to the most famous of all Greek battles; the battle for Troy and then its aftermath. We are shown various other scholars’ depictions of their view of what they believed Achilles’ shield would have looked like, before the author creates her own version of the fantastic armor that was the Shield of Achilles. Using Homer’s direct translated text, she follows the journey of the shield subsequent to the death of Achilles, as Odysseus takes control of the legendary armor. She finds considerable justification for accepting the words of Homer as being in some part real and truthful, rather than just fanciful meanderings.

As a big fan of both Homer and the fables of Greek mythology, I found Reconstructing the Shield of Achilles to be a fascinating insight into the Greek traditions, heroes and fables of the time. Kathleen Vail has produced a book that is as useful to a Greek scholar as it is to someone with a love of heroic adventure and the time of mythical Greek lore. I don’t usually quote from books I review, but one passage in this book is so telling and reminds us all why the study of history, and especially of archaeology, is critical to us as a human race. “Human history is rendered tangible in the physical form of archaeological artifacts. In our search for archaeological treasures, we find meaning and significance in our collective human life on Earth. With each discovery, we gain extraordinarily perceptive records. From this unique perspective, we gain both a telescopic view into the lost and distant past and a microscopic view of iconic moments in the human experience.” For me, this perfectly sums up the field of study and the importance of this book. Perhaps the most ironic observation is that Achilles, the greatest warrior in history, actually hates war. As a final note, the photographs and renderings of Greek history and mythology give the book an impressive perspective that even the layman can truly enjoy. This is a fantastic book and receives my wholehearted endorsement.

Reconstructing The Shield Of Achilles: An Artistic Reconstruction and Exploration of the Ingenious Ancient Greek Weapon Immortalized by Homer In Book 18 of the Iliad by Kathleen Vail revolves around the shield of Achilles which came to light in Homer's Iliad, written in the 8th century BC. The author brings the shield to life through this book which is a real treat for all those readers who are interested in learning more about Greek mythology, the Trojan War, and Homer's Iliad. The whole world is on the shield; be it war, peace, weddings, life, death, farming, dancing, and more that will amaze readers with its vivid descriptions and images. The innermost and outermost parts of the shield depict elements of human life, the sun, moon, stars, and sea. The author explores each scene on the legendary Shield of Achilles and gives intimate glimpses of life in ancient Greece in those days.

This book is insightful, poetic, aesthetic, and creative and the author does a fabulous job recreating the shield using her own interpretations after reading the epic poem. The images in the book are gorgeous and they make the book more appealing and captivating to readers. The author's time spent on researching and writing on a topic like this is commendable and is evident in the pages of the book. The Iliad was not only about the Trojan War but also about Achilles, and the author's reconstruction of the shield not only speaks about its significance but also relives Homer's story of war, peace, and humanity.