{"product_id":"the-epic-a-very-short-introduction-9780198795124","title":"The Epic: A Very Short Introduction","description":"\u003cem\u003eVery Short Introductions: Brilliant, Sharp, Inspiring\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe epic is an ancient and universal form of artistic expression. Storytellers around the globe have long told of heroes who are touched by greatness and win lasting fame. These sprawling heroic tales convey the grandeur and pain of human life. They have been preserved for millennia in Sumerian clay tablets, Egyptian papyrus rolls, fragmentary manuscripts salvaged from European monasteries, oral traditions in Africa and Central Asia, and contemporary poetry and film. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eIn this \u003cem\u003eVery Short Introduction\u003c\/em\u003e, Anthony Welch places the Western epic canon alongside traditional heroic poetry from Asia, Africa, and the Near East. Tracing shared themes and practices that unite the world's epic literature, the author asks what roles epic poets serve in society and how do they differ from other narrative forms. Welch argues that the epic confronts key aspects of the human condition - heroism, community, sacrifice, death - with special force and urgency. Ranging widely from Gilgamesh to Derek Walcott's Omeros, this book acquaints readers with some of the world's greatest literary works and asks why the epic holds such power over our imaginations. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003eABOUT THE SERIES: The \u003cem\u003eVery Short Introductions\u003c\/em\u003e series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAuthor:\u003c\/b\u003e Anthony Welch\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eBinding Type:\u003c\/b\u003e Paperback\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/b\u003e Oxford University Press\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublished:\u003c\/b\u003e 02\/27\/2025\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eSeries:\u003c\/b\u003e Very Short Introductions\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePages:\u003c\/b\u003e 160\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eWeight:\u003c\/b\u003e 0.32lbs\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eSize:\u003c\/b\u003e 6.93h x 4.48w x 0.36d\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN:\u003c\/b\u003e 9780198795124","brand":"Oxford University Press","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43369829466249,"sku":"9780198795124","price":12.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0636\/9240\/6921\/files\/img_13fdcefb-0c83-404e-9c1c-96d257f7ce38.jpg?v=1739858648","url":"https:\/\/sonsanddaughtersbooks.com\/products\/the-epic-a-very-short-introduction-9780198795124","provider":"Sons and Daughters Books","version":"1.0","type":"link"}