It follows the Greek hero Odysseus, king of Ithaca, and his journey home after the Trojan War. After the war, which lasted ten years, his journey lasted for ten additional years, during which time he encountered many perils, and all his crew mates were killed. In his absence, Odysseus was assumed dead, and his wife Penelope and son Telemachus had to contend with a group of unruly suitors who were competing for Penelope's hand in marriage.

"This [pbk.] edition contains minor revisions of the text"--Page 496. Includes bibliographical references (pages 517-520) and glossary.

Introduction: Spelling and pronunciation of Homeric names -- Maps: Homeric geography : Mainland Greece -- Peloponnese -- Aegean and Asia Minor -- Inset: Troy and vicinity -- Homer: Odyssey : Athena inspires the prince -- Telemachus sets sail -- King Nestor remembers -- King and queen of Sparta -- Odysseus- Nymph and shipwreck -- The princess and the stranger -- Phaeacia's halls and gardens -- A day for songs and contests -- In the one-eyed giant's cave -- The bewitching queen of Aeaea -- The kingdom of the dead -- The cattle of the sun -- Ithaca at last -- The loyal swineherd -- The prince sets sail for home -- Father and son -- Stranger at the gates -- The beggar-king of Ithaca -- Penelope and her guest -- Portents gather -- Odysseus strings his bow -- Slaughter in the hall -- The great rooted bed -- Peace.