Prolegomena to the Study of Greek Religion Book

As Andrew said "They don't write 'em like this anymore". How true!
A brilliant study of Greek religion that was a real eye-opener for me. I'd always been put off the Classical world as far too stuffy, erudite and frankly conceited. Reading Harrison's study changed my whole perspective on the subject. While there are huge chunks of this 682 page epic that I have hardly touched; there are several other chapters that I have poured over time and again. Chapter five on 'the demonology of ghosts, sprites and bogeys' is my favourite by far but the chapter on 'the making of a goddess' is not far behind.
Other reviewers have more than adequately described Harrison's methods and the foundation it provides for the study of ancient Greek cultures. I'd just like to say that it taught me an awful lot about imagery and its relationship to written texts. Behind the cultured gloss of Classical myth and religion lays a far more primitive layer of ritual and another worldview entirely. The 177 black-and-white line drawings are another bonus.