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The Power of Myth

by Joseph Campbell

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▾Book information

Info:	Anchor (1991), Paperback, 320 pages
Member:	kaiweilau
Collections:	Your library	Rating:
Tags:	ACNJ, Box 1

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▾Member reviews

English (12) Portuguese (1) All languages (13)

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Showing 1-5 of 12 (next | show all)

This book was 'Life Changing' for I was so engrossed in reading it that I never really took much notice of a young and single Jennifer Hawkins (Miss Universe) standing next to me and waiting for some 'hero' to sweep her off her feet. The rest is history... (

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Jasignature | Nov 12, 2009 |

Great read! ;)

DengLaoshi | Oct 25, 2008 |

Just fucking mind-opening and amazing. (

)

ryry9379 | May 22, 2008 |

It's a series of interviews Campbell gave to Bill Moyers on the nature and power of myth taped over two years, with the last one done a few months before his death . In a format of questions and answers
Campbell examines common myths that transcend cultures and human conditions: on the hero, the nature of myth, storytelling, the goddess, and finally what we understand of eternity. His thoughts are
very insightful and show both immense knowledge of the subject matter and an amazing ability to both analyze and synthesize. He is at an equal ease citing from Greek and Western philosophers, Old and New
Testament, Eastern ancient texts, and various aboriginal cultural tradition. He spices it all up with stories and myths which he retells with great skill.
Wonderful stuff. I'll be reading more of him.
(

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Niecierpek | Nov 27, 2007 |

I love what Joseph Campbell has to say, but the interview style of the book was distracting. (

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tloeffler | Aug 5, 2007 |

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Series (with order)

Canonical Title

The Power of Myth

Original publication date

People/Characters

Important places

Important events

Awards and honors

ALA Outstanding Books for the College Bound (2009.1|Arts & Humanities, 2009)

Epigraph

Dedication

To Judith, who has long heard the music

First words

MOYERS: Why myths?

Quotations

Last words

(Click to show. Warning: May contain spoilers.)

Disambiguation notice

Publisher's editors

Blurbers

▾References

References to this work on external resources.

Wikipedia in English (7)

The Hero with a Thousand Faces

The Power of Myth

▾LibraryThing members' description

Book description

▾Book descriptions

Amazon.com (ISBN 0385418868, Paperback)

Among his many gifts, Joseph Campbell's most impressive was the unique ability to take a contemporary situation, such as the murder and funeral of President John F. Kennedy, and help us understand its impact in the context of ancient mythology. Herein lies the power of The Power of Myth, showing how humans are apt to create and live out the themes of mythology. Based on a six-part PBS television series hosted by Bill Moyers, this classic is especially compelling because of its engaging question-and-answer format, creating an easy, conversational approach to complicated and esoteric topics. For example, when discussing the mythology of heroes, Campbell and Moyers smoothly segue from the Sumerian sky goddess Inanna to Star Wars' mercenary-turned-hero, Han Solo. Most impressive is Campbell's encyclopedic knowledge of myths, demonstrated in his ability to recall the details and archetypes of almost any story, from any point and history, and translate it into a lesson for spiritual living in the here and now. --Gail Hudson

(retrieved from Amazon Fri, 24 Apr 2009 07:57:57 -0400)

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