One of the two major ancient Greek epics, Homer s "Odyssey," has been a classic of Western Literature for centuries. This new translation into spare, elegant blank verse is certain to attract the same praise and admiration as Herbert Jordan s translation of Homer s "Iliad."

In keeping with the style of his" Iliad, " Jordan renders the" Odyssey" line-for-line in iambic pentameter, a pleasing five-beat meter as used by Shakespeare and by his contemporary George Chapman, the first great translator of Homer into English verse. Jordan deftly pilots Homer s dactyls and extended metaphors,...