I don't much like the illustration by James Field that was chosen for the cover of Cuchulainn: Hound of Ulster, which makes the iconic Irish hero look a lot like a member of the ThunderCats. I have no idea why Field chose feline facial features, but that's what we got. And that, unfortunately, is the first impression readers get when they glance at this book.

Otherwise, however, this is an excellent introduction to the mythical hero, who falls into the categories of both history and folklore because, as author Bob Stewart points out in the text, there is a good deal of evidence that Cuchulainn existed in some form or another, although he certainly was not quite as legendary as the stories would suggest. Part of Firebird Books' Heroes & Warriors series, this book lays out the basics of Cuchulainn's heroic saga and the history of Ireland at the likely time he would have lived.

For those who aren't familiar with the tale, Cuchulainn was still a teenager when -- because all of the adult men of Ulster were temporarily crippled by a curse -- he singlehandedly defended the land from an attack led by Queen Medb of Connaught, who sought to steal the legendary Brown Bull of Ulster in what became known as the Cattle Raid of Cooley. Rather than face the entire army at once, Cuchulainn harried their lines, picking off men one by one, until he was able to block their progress entirely and challenge their champions to single combat, one after another over a span of days, successfully delaying the army's progress until the men of Ulster could rally. The fights are dramatic and, in some cases, quite emotional, as Cuchulainn is forced to fight and kill some warriors he holds dear.

Stewart concisely summarizes the key points of Cuchulainn's impressive story, which solidifies the hero's claim as the nation's most formidable warrior while also explaining why his life was so very short. And, while certain aspects of his solitary campaign against the invading army of Connaught's Queen Medb might have their roots in some historical event, other aspects -- including the involvement of gods and goddesses such as the Dagda, Lugh and the Morrigan, as well as Cuchulainn's terrifying transformation during combat -- lie clearly in the realm of mythology.

Readers will come away from this slim volume with a clear knowledge of Cuchulainn's heroic feats as well as the Irish culture and society in which he lived and died. With any luck, they will use it as a springboard to further explore Irish mythology, which is rich and fanciful.

The Heroes & Warriors series also includes books on the likes of Fionn Mac Cumhail: Champion of Ireland, Macbeth: Scotland's Warrior King, Boadicea: Warrior Queen of the Celts, Richard Lionheart: The Crusader King, Charlemagne: Founder of the Holy Roman Empire, El Cid, Champion of Spain, King David: Warlord of Israel, Judas Maccabeus: Rebel of Israel, Chief Joseph: Guardian of the Nez Perce and Crazy Horse: Sacred Warrior of the Sioux. I've read several of them over the years and always found them to be brief but worthwhile accounts of some of history's (and folklore's) most notable heroes and warriors. They are solid introductions for readers young and old, although they might be most useful to students looking for biographical resources.