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... ( )

Great read! ;)

Just fucking mind-opening and amazing. ( )

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.
( )

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

Not to speak ill of the dead, but Campbell's misogynistic view of myth is not transcendental or life changing. Much better to just read the myths he refers to, acknowledge a "humankind" connection to them, and take your own personal meaning from them. ( )

Six tapes dealing with myths of all cultures, particularly Native American and Hindu. ( )

A more popular look at myths and mythology, using this format to relate Campbell's studies and other works to mythological type influences that we see today, even in major media and popular culture or entertainment situations.

When Campbell points it out, you sometimes realise what you are subconsciously missing. ( )

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 ( )

filled with truths that hit one's core. my real bible. ( )

The transcript from the PBS (I think) special, basically. Organized into six parts, each with its own broad focus, eg the Hero's Adventure.

I found this to be a very significant work; it addressed certain issues I, as a proto-adult (read: teenager) have been confronting. Such as the lack of a coming-of-age ritual in order to demonstrate that the individual has become an adult. They also talk about our modern lack of mythology, and how it has affected modern mankind.

Joseph Campbell and Bill Moyers are obviously very intelligent, well read, thoughtful individuals, and it comes through in a stupendous way in their discussion of myth and myth's psychological and sociological significance. Of course, since it's only roughly structured, many of the issues discussed are rehashed several times, though in slightly different contexts. Sometimes, it seems as if they're giving myth a somewhat inflated weight, but generally I found their observations to be accurate. Highly recommend for anyone interested in mythology, as it's very accessible and has enough theory to keep it from sinple myth-retellings. 8/10 ( )

Fascinating travel in the realm of Myth, which as revealed by this professor in comparative mythology, is recurrent through time and space. Myths, a roadmap for those ready for an inner journey. ( )