Medusa

Long before modern films and games borrowed her face, Medusa was the centerpiece of a Greek tale that has circulated for over two millennia: the hero Perseus cuts off her head. This book retells that myth in plain, approachable language, covering Medusa and her fellow Gorgons in vivid detail. It also offers a possible explanation for why her hair became a nest of snakes.

Full-color photographs display both historic artworks and present-day depictions of Medusa, showing how the figure has lasted across centuries. Fun fact boxes scattered through the pages add background on the myth and its setting, making the book a lively introduction to one of the monster stories in Greek mythology.