The Last Heracles - book 3 of the "House of Perseus" Trilogy ...by the Author of "Priam's Daughter" & "Three Ships and Three Kings" de Sallaska, Georgia - 1971

New York: Doubleday & Co., 1971. -----Blue cloth with red and gilt lettering and design on boards, headband, 310 pages, maps for end papers, minor shelf wear, publishers remainder spray on bottom edge, dust jacket is in VG condition with minor chipping. "Heracles" must be considered a title, rather than a name. Diodorus Siculus identifies three separate heroes under this cognomen; other less responsible mythographers claim that there were hundreds. Cicero identifies six, and Varro traces forty-four separate men bearing this name. The Heracles cycle is, indeed, as patched-together as any heroic saga you're likely to encounter, with an enormous number of unrelated, semirelated, and downright contradictory myths connected with him. One moment he is the womanizer of all time, the next he is just as passionately pursuing some pretty boy. One moment he is the archetype of the man who is brawn and no brains, the next he is a wily fellow outwitting his opponets with his cleverness. Subject to fits of murderous madness, he is yet the serious fellow who choose duty and reponsibility above all the pleasures the world has to offer. Though he was the embodient of rugged, masculine physical strength, he came to preside over all aspects of Greek education. He even had some medical powers, for certain springs at Himera and Thermoplyae were dedicated to him." "Here is this epic tale of ancient Greece, unforgettable account of the mighty Heracles and the legendary labors which led him to many strange and distant realms performing incredible feats of endurance, strength and courage to unite and lead his people."Any image directly beside this listing is the actual book and not a stock photo. First Edition First Printing. Hard Cover. Very Good/Very Good. Illus. by Jacket Illustrations by Emanuel Schongut . 8vo - over 7¾" - 9¾" tall.