Ulysses found

by Ernle Bradford

Book Overview

Having settled in Malta after the end of World War 2, Ernle Bradford decided to trace the route of Ulysses. This book is a journal of his travels, describing both the amazing sights and the pitfalls... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: B0006AYFFK
• Release Date: January 1964
• Publisher: Harcourt, Brace & World
• Length: 238 Pages
• Weight: 0.93 lbs.

Customer Reviews

Ulysses Found

I bought this for my husband and he loves it. I mean HE LOVES IT!!

great guidebook to homer's world

As a Sixth Fleet US Navy sailor in the Med during the 1970's, I absolutely loved this book and have recommended it to many people over the years. Of course, not every homeric site can be identified with 100% accuracy, but Bradford, being an expert sailor himself, makes a really convincing case for every site he describes.Nice to see it's back in print, as my copy is from 1963.

A Voyage of Discovery

Quite a few years ago I saw a documentary film that Ernle Bradford made on the voyage and adventures of Ulysses but I never knew that he had written a book on the subject until recently. Without haste I bought a copy and can unhesitatingly recommend the book to anyone interested in Homer. Mr. Bradford has extensive knowledge of sailing the Mediterranean from his service during World War II and his own subsequent voyages in his own boats. He also is a lover of Homer and has clearly studied the text of the Odyssey carefully. Mr. Bradford gives us a fascinating background on Ulysses' family (for example, his father Laertes sailed with Jason on the Argo) and relates the events of the Trojan War briefly but with enough detail so we are not wanting. This following chapters on the voyage as masterful in dispelling misconceptions and providing solid and well considered reasons for believing that a place squares with the one described by Homer. For example, the author is able to apply traveling in a small boat at 3 knots and under in the context of how far Ulysses could go in the time given in the Odyssey, something that library bound scholars cannot bring to their research. The book is well-illustrated with photographs and maps, and the end papers are a two page map showing Ulysses' probably route through the Mediterranean. I am tempted to call this a book of practical archaeology since Mr. Bradford is applying real life experience to his search for the places of the Odyssey. The recent confirmation of the location of Ithica would not doubt have interested Mr. Bradford, so this book remains timely in the search for the real Ulysses.

Great companion to the Odyssey!

Ever wonder where Ulysses really went? Ernle Bradford recreates Ulysses' voyage based on the time traveled, the currents and changes in the Mediterranean and the descriptions of the places. A mariner himself, and very familiar with that part of the world, he even has an eerie encounter with the sirens. A fascinating and exciting read, and a must have for students of Homer!