The Life of Hercules (Hero's Journeys)

Born from Zeus's desire and Hera's hatred, Hercules enters the world already marked by divine conflict. From his first signs of impossible strength to the madness and grief that scar his early life, he is driven into a fate far larger than any ordinary man could bear. What follows is the full sweep of his legend, told from birth to death in all its splendor, violence, sorrow, and fire.He battles lions, serpents, giants, centaurs, monsters of land and sea, and kings whose pride proves as deadly as any beast. He performs the famous labors that made his name immortal, but his life reaches far beyond them into wars, wanderings, passions, losses, and the long burden of being a man shaped for greatness and suffering alike. Again and again, he wins glory, yet every triumph carries cost, and every road leads him deeper into the strange design of his life.This book gathers the whole life of Hercules into one sweeping tale, from miraculous beginning to immortal end. The well-known deeds are here, along with the darker turns, the lesser-known adventures, the loves that sustain him, and the final agony that no strength can master. For readers who love mythology, epic struggle, and heroes large enough to carry both wonder and tragedy, this is Hercules in his fullest form. Read more