**Review for *Urban Myths* by Andreas Markides**

*Urban Myths* by Andreas Markides is a thought-provoking exploration of how ancient Greek myths, though rooted in antiquity, continue to resonate with modern life, particularly in the context of the built environment and our everyday human experiences. Markides cleverly bridges the gap between mythology and contemporary society, urging readers to reflect on the timeless nature of human behavior, values, and frailties.

The book dives into some of the most iconic Greek myths—Pegasus and his soaring flight, Odysseus’ long journey home, Oedipus’ tragic fate, and the monster-filled world of Medusa, the Minotaur, and the Hydra. However, what makes this book unique is Markides’ insightful approach: he examines these myths not just as relics of a distant past, but as narratives that have profound relevance today.

Markides posits that Greek myths are far from being merely ancient tales; they are reflections of timeless themes such as greed, the pursuit of happiness, hubris, and our complex relationship with nature. These myths, Markides suggests, hold a mirror to our modern lives—how we live, work, build cities, and even approach our values and ambitions. Whether discussing the moral dilemmas in the tale of Oedipus or the soaring idealism of Pegasus, Markides reveals how these ancient stories still illuminate the forces that shape our decisions and behaviors.

The book is especially insightful in linking these age-old stories to the field of the built environment, a profession dedicated to shaping the spaces in which we live, work, and interact. By reflecting on how these myths deal with the complexities of building and constructing both physically and metaphorically, Markides encourages readers to rethink their own roles in shaping the world around them, offering valuable lessons in humility, purpose, and ethics.

Markides writes in a scholarly yet accessible manner, making complex ideas easy to digest while maintaining an engaging narrative. His discussion is not merely academic—it’s reflective and relevant. He encourages us to ask important questions: How can the lessons of Greek myths guide us today? Are we still struggling with the same issues that haunted the ancient Greeks? The book’s strength lies in its ability to make these deep philosophical questions both meaningful and practical in our modern context.

In conclusion, *Urban Myths* is an intriguing and compelling read for anyone interested in the intersection of history, philosophy, and contemporary life. Andreas Markides successfully demonstrates that the timeless myths of ancient Greece remain deeply relevant, offering valuable insights into our personal, societal, and professional lives. It's a must-read for anyone looking to enrich their understanding of human behavior through the lens of mythology.

Well aren't I embarrassed.
I had assumed this book to be filled with anecdotes relating ancient myths to modern day life, perhaps even the author sharing how they have influenced his life personally.
Instead, it is filled with boastful statements regarding the author's career and interests. I was not prepared for the amount of information on traffic engineering that was in these pages. I read several of the articles and they were all as equally preachy as the last with none of them seeming to add anything new to any of the discussions proposed in said articles.
In addition, I found that a lot of the conclusions and examples that the author was utilizing were not sitting well with me, such as using only dictators and sexual predators as examples of "how can we judge if someone's life has been happy?"
Unfortunately, it was not for me at all and I had to DNF. Perhaps if someone is interested in engineering of any kind, they might find some scraps of insight somewhere in here but, for the layman, I would skip.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.

I loved the use of Greek mythology and how it was used during this story. Andreas Markides has a strong writing style and was hooked from the first page. It had me questioning about what I knew about Greek mythology. The characters worked in this universe and was glad I got to read this.

Urban Myths is such a good story. The plot is fantastic, the characters are fabulous, the storyline is immaculate. I really recommend everyone to read this book as fast as they can because it's really good and the characters are fantastic.