The Power of Myth by Joseph Campbell
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Book Reviews of The Power of Myth
Book Review: Just Believe, Whatever Your Path
Summary: 5 Stars
At one of the most conservative universities on the planet, Brigham Young University, I was first introduced to Joseph Campbell through a wonderful (and in hindsight, courageous) pair of Honors History instructors that elected to teach history of the world through the cultures and myths of their traditions. It was by far the best class I took while there. I just completed another read of this work and, although the structure is conversational and disjointed in places, was reminded how dramatically Joseph Campbell's work saved my life and faith from my own mind's attacks of reason and irrational rationalism. No, I do not accept everything taught by my chosen faith, just as I find aspects of science and other traditions equally difficult to accept. Campbell's research shows how deeply important to our own mind, heart, and world these deep seated traditions are, and what just might be wrong with dogma and societal interpretations of once pure ideas adapted for less than altruistic intentions. Understanding Campbell allows me to quietly synthesize the best of my core tradition with inherent truths of others as well as fully embracing science and empiricism. Looking at all belief systems both as possibly literal and always possibly metaphorical opens up child-hood teachings with new insight and potential. I find I am a child of God, a child of Mother Nature, and as such carry the stuff of both in me. Read this and believe, no matter your path, not just for yourself, but all those in need of compassion around you.Book Review: Free Your Mind Before Beginning This Book!
Summary: 5 Stars
Do not begin this book with a closed mind. Joseph Campbell can lead you into a new passage of your life if you are ready for it. The question and answer format can be, at times, ponderous and tedious, however this is the best introduction to Mr. Campbell's work. There were sections that I longed to be able to interject my own questions following the direction that I felt the conversation was naturally heading, but Mr. Moyers felt that it was going another way. This can be my only complaint.
Mr. Campbell goes into explaining many symbols that saturate our society. Some symbols we are experiencing everyday, but are unconscious of them. This is the collective unconscious of things that we have stored in our collective memory banks. Mr. Campbell attempts to explain some of these. He also draws many parallels between a variety of sources including poetry, literature, and art. This book is an overall culture lesson that everyone needs. The basic "knowledge" that is in-bred in each of us needs to be examined. However, only a small amount of people today even attempt to understand that. My point is, those symbols and experiences are our bonds as human beings. This is important to humanity.
Read this book if you are prepared to dwell on the things that he has put before you. Have a highlighter ready to remind yourself of those most important quotes from the book!
Book Review: I question if Mr mje@mich.com actually read the book.
Summary: 5 Stars
I picked up this book because I wanted to know more about how mythology relates to the human mind, hoping that this would allow me to be a better storyteller. I haven't gotten through the entire book as of yet, but so far it is pretty good. As a note to somebody like the previous reviewer, it is obvious that he has missed the entire point of the book. There is much in this book about the conflict inside a person and the quest to understand it. If you get nothing else from this book, you should understand that life is about contribution. If you contribute to the general welfare of your nation and people, then you've lived a full life. How is that new age? I especially liked what Campbell had to say about the military in that one should judge the actions of its members, by the responsibility that its society presents to it. Society requires protection and security, and to do so it creates a military culture to protect it. To judge the military as a destructive force within a society because of the job that society requires it to preform, is ludicrous. As a masters student in anthropology and a former Marine, I think this book has something for all people... whether conservative, liberal, intellectual, or lay-person. I wonder if MR. mje@mich.com even read the book. Since he found it so disdainful, I doubt he could have.Book Review: A fitting Introduction
Summary: 5 Stars
It isn't often that one comes across a book that can be referenced again and again. This is probably best described as broad overview of the late Joseph Campbell's best work. For those who are not familiar with the scholar's previous works, including the world renowned "Hero with a Thousand Faces" (which has also been reviewed), this work covers the vast expanse of Campbell's ideas and research over the course of his lifetime. The volumes of his scholarly work may be a bit intimidating to the uninitiated, but for the casual reader who would like a taste of mythology, psychology, art and religion, this work is a great and welcome piece that should belong in every philosopher's library. The conversational style of the writing is very accessable and makes the reader feel as if they are privy to a private talk with the man himself. The breadth of knowledge and humor with which Campbell presents his material is a great way for readers to get the sense of what a lecture from the man was like. This book is the definative work on the subject and has even been condensed down to the bare bones elements by Hollywood screenwriters and playwrights. This work is also available in audio format and on DVD. Overall, a wonderful introduction to Joseph Campbell and his ideas.Book Review: Simply Life Changing
Summary: 5 Stars
Thank you Joseph Campbell for all your research, devotion and unselfishness in bringing us this compilation.
If this man were still alive, I'd seek him out and listen as long as I possible could.
Someone had to do it and he has figured it out. If you are interested in learning why things are the way they are today, just look into history, right? Right. Joseph Campbell is like a guiding light that shines on the stories we're never heard but felt in our hearts. He recants the stories we should have know about, the ones that could have changed things for the best. The stories of our collective lives as humans on this planet.
If you're not convinced that you should read this book, check out the Joseph Campbell foundation online to learn more about the master.
This particular book is entirely based on a conversation between Bill Moyers and Joseph Campbell. You can get the DVD from Amazon.com. I recommend this for anyone that can't absorb a lot of information from written words. I have to read and reread each page before it sinks in. Get the DVD. If you can afford either, go get a used version of the book.
You won't be sorry. This is an amazing book!