Literature

The Odyssey

Homer · 800 BC

Lindy Score

17,256·Ancient

2,826 yrs

Age

4

Endorsers

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Why it endured

Odysseus's decade-long journey home after the Trojan War, battling monsters, gods, and his own temptations. The first and greatest adventure story — a template for every hero's journey that followed. Homer's portrait of perseverance has resonated for nearly three millennia.

What they're saying

4 people recommend this book

PewDiePieContent creator & book reviewer

Probably one of my favourite books ever written.

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Elon MuskCEO of Tesla & SpaceX

Homer's Odyssey is one of the greatest stories ever told. Odysseus is the ultimate hero of resourcefulness — he survives through wit, not just strength.

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Ryan HolidayAuthor & Stoic philosopher

Re-Read The Masters You were in high school when you read The Great Gatsby for the first time. You were just a kid when you read The Count of Monte Cristo or had someone tell you the story of Odysseus. The point is: You got it right? You read them. You’re done, right? Nope. We cannot be content to simply pick up a book once and judge it by that experience. It’s why we have to read and re-read.

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Nassim Nicholas TalebAuthor & risk analyst

In Book 12 of the Odyssey, the hero encounters the sirens, on an island not far from the rocks of Charybdis and Scylla.

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