The Odyssey, Book 10

Book ten is full of selfish men, and fear. Ulysses heads to the Aeoli island where Aeolus, son of Hippotas, lives. Aeolus and his family are very kind to their guests. They take care of the needs of Ulysses crew, and further them on their way back to Ithica. I think that Aeolus's family is just a bit out of the ordanairy. (Just to put it lightly.) His children marry each other, keeping his family on the same island as to keep the wealth and good living in the family.
Sending Ulysses on his way, Aeolus 'saddles' the winds, this keeping them from puting the men off course. When almost to the harbour of Ithica, the jealous men aboard Ulysses ship open the bag containing the captured winds. These winds blow the greiving crew, along with the angry Ulysses back to the Aeoli Island. Aeolus denies further help, practically baning the men from his presence/island.
The next stop on the journey of Ulysses is to another island inhabited by Circe, sister to magician Aeetes. Trickery fouls the men, turning those who venture inside of her abode into pigs. Ulysses receives help from Mercury, and manages to save them. He becomes a 'friend' to Circe and he and his crew of men spend the next year at her house.
Before leaving, Ulysses is given instructions to follow before he can return to his native country. He is sent off to the land of Proserphine and Hades to talk with ghosts. Mainly, the Theban prophet Teiresias, seeking knowledge of his forward journey.

The Odyssey, Book 9

In this book, Ulysses finally gets to tell his whole tale in extreme detail. He starts off with an explanation to his sorrow, and tears. He answers the questions of King Alcinous, and praises the bard Demodocus. He tells of his namesake, his home country, and his family. Ulysses starts his fateful journey in Ismarus, city of the Cicons. He and his crew sack the city, and take much 'booty and their wives'. They continue on to the land of the 'lawless and inhuman Cyclopes'. Here Ulysses is very rude, almost demanding gifts. The Cyclops, Polyphemus - son of Neptune - is enraged and starts eating his men.
After lossing sereral men, Ulysses and Co. plan revenge and an escape. They blind the Cyclops and leave the cave hidden under sheep. I think the whole scene was quite full of unneccesary detail. There was much gore and blood.
In the end, the men take their leave of the island, leaving behind a cursing Polyphemus. This is the start to their troubles heading home.

The Odyssey, Book 5-8

Book five switches over to Ulysses. Minerva goes to Olympus to persuade Jove to make Calypso let Ulysses off her island, so he can finally return home. Jove agrees, and sends Mercury to Calypso's island. Calypso doesn't want to let Ulysses go. She complains to Mercury, but gives in to his reasoning.She sends Ulysses away to go make his own raft with sturdy trees, Calypso packs his raft with plenty of wine, water, and food. Neptune sees Ulysses from far off and he sends this huge storm to send Ulysses adrift by smashing his little raft. But Ino, an immortal sea goddess, sees him and decides to help. She grants him this magical scarf to wear so that he doesn't drown and instructs him to throw it back into the water when he gets ashore. So Ulysses swims to this island with Minerva's help and meets Nausicaa, a spoiled daughter of the king. Nausicaa takes him to her father, Alcinous. The king agrees to send him back to Ithaca.
Before Ulysses leaves the company of the king, he tells his whole story, about Ithica, Troy, and all his travels. I think it's pretty cool that he gets to tell his story, even if it is a little repetative.

The Odyssey, Book 4

Book four was almost like book three. There was a lot of talking and information, but there was also some things to pay attention to. In this book Telemachus lets out who he is. Menelaus and his wife can see the likeness of father and son and soon put two and two together. Telemachus gains much insight into how his father was lived, or you could say what he did in Troy. Talking about Ulysses leads into the next book.