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The Power of Myth

Authors: Joseph Campbell, Bill Moyers
Publisher: Anchor
Category: Book

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Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

127 reviews
Sales Rank: 1809

Media: Paperback
Pages: 320
Number Of Items: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.5
Dimensions (in): 7.9 x 5.1 x 0.5

ISBN: 0385418868
Dewey Decimal Number: 291.13
EAN: 9780385418867
ASIN: 0385418868

Publication Date: June 1, 1991
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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Condition: Worn around the edges. Some pages have highlighting and/or writing. Good reading copy.

Also Available In:

•	Hardcover - The Power of Myth
•	Paperback - The Power of Myth (Illustrated Edition)
•	School & Library Binding - The Power of Myth
•	Audio Cassette - Power of Myth
•	Audio Cassette - Power of Myth, Programs 1-6
•	Audio Cassette - The Power of Myth, Programs 1-6
•	Library Binding - The Power of Myth
•	Audio Cassette - Power of Myth
•	Audio CD - Power Of Myth
•	Audio Cassette - Power Of Myth V2 (Power of Myth)

Similar Items:

•	The Hero with a Thousand Faces
•	Pathways to Bliss: Mythology and Personal Transformation
•	Joseph Campbell and the Power of Myth
•	Myths to Live By
•	Joseph Campbell - The Hero's Journey

Editorial Reviews:

Amazon.com
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

Product Description
Finally available in a popularly priced,non-illustrated, smaller-format edition, which is idealfor the college market and general reader alike,this extraordinary best-seller is a brilliantevocation of the noted scholar's teachings on mythology.

Customer Reviews: Read 122 more reviews...

5 out of 5 stars

Outstanding May 11, 2008
Erich S. (Colorado)
For anyone interested in life, history, phychology, culture ...the human experience...this is a "must". Joseph Campbell articulates how the underlying currents of our experience(internal & external)are reflected both individually and in masses through our mythology; where we've come from and where we're going. He does so with the expertise of a teacher who has the ability to reach into everyone from the novice to the expert and inject excitement into the subject.

5 out of 5 stars

A fitting Introduction May 4, 2008
Nathan Andrews (New Milford, CT. USA)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful

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.

5 out of 5 stars

"A Revolutionary Impact" March 22, 2008
Robert N. Sanders (Indianapolis, IN USA)
I spent many years as a person of faith before I encountered the perspective that I now identify with Joseph Campbell. The guiding idea of this book, as well as his work overall, is that of discovering the deep principles that are at work in the myths or stories of all cultures. He has challenged me to think anew about the "myth of Christianity" and how it is, in the words of Gordon Kaufman of Harvard Divinity School, "an imaginative human construct."

The most intriguing discussion of the book is reported as a conversation of Campbell with Bill Moyers. In response to Campbell's assertion that he was seeeking "for a centering in terms of deep pinciples," Moyers said, "You are talking about a search for the meaning of life." But Campbell would have none of that. He responds, "No! I am talking about the experience of being alive! People say that what we're seeking is a meaning in life. I don't think that is what we are really seeking. I think that what we are seeking is the experience of being alive so that our life experiences on the purely physical plane will have resonances within our own innermost being and reality so that we actually feel the rapture of being alive."

At this point I want to disagree with Campbell, a choice I make with trepidation. What he is saying doesn't seem anything more than the "will to pleasure," with a dash of ecstasy through in as flavoring. Epicurus didn't convince me and Campbell isn't succeeding either.

But because I have such a genuine respect for the thrust of Campbell's work I knew that I had to think again about the question of the source of meaning. Who is right -- Freud or Adler or Frankl or Campbell? I tend to side with Frankl but there is reason to give other perspectives their due. I understand Campbell's assertion to mean that the "will to pleasure" or "the rapture of being allive" is the heart of the human experience. I doubt that he or Freud can defend that view successfully in a world of such misery. It's a view that is more hopeful than realistic. Not convincing. The darker side of human nature is rejected. Or, at minimun, ignored. Yet the fact that I was confronted in such a way that I had to think my perspective through again is a STRONG recommendation of this book! Read it and enjoy it. The fact it was written several years ago as a report of a television program doesn't lessen its value. Along with "the new cosmology" and the "Jesus Seminar," Campbell's notion of myth has had "a revolutionary impact" on me.

4 out of 5 stars

A very interesting read and infomative! March 20, 2008
Jesse Bartlett
I found this book to be quite interesting and running the gamut between challengeing one's ideas about life to how we actually fit in life. This book is packed with life wisdom. The books format is a question and answer format with Joseph Campbell who clearly has spent his life studying the myths which man has chosen to live by. I can see why some people get unglued when they read this book for it is hard to have one's view so closely examined in an objective manner rather than a subjective one. I found I was able to read through it quickly and really understand what the author intended. Give it read, you won't be disapointed.

5 out of 5 stars

The Power of Myth, A hero within us - Relate it with modern society February 29, 2008
Chandan Sharma (Gurgaon, HR, India)
He has answers to your quest. He does not wait, does not think twice, does not vary in his statements but he answers all your questions. The questions that you had been asking yourself about the purpose of your being in this world, questions about nature, questions about what is right and what is wrong.

Different people can have different uses for Joseph Campbell's study about mythology. If Stephen Spielberg and George Lucas can create movies out of it, you or anyone else can understand the power that mythology have had in the history of human life. An author like Dave Lakhani can refer Joseph Campbell's work when he is talking about Storytelling concept (marketing). That is entirely your own perception (like always) however the point is that this book is a must read. Even if you do not read the book but do get acquainted with the concept of mythology and storytelling and it's relation to human behavior. You would be presented with great insights and would smile on many occasions.

This is a work of a scholar, hence, how I review should not matter. Also, would try to focus on one point. The review is not just about the book but the entire concept of Mythologies. The reference to Buddha, Mohammad, Christ who understood mythologies and it is said that they used the concept to convey their message to the masses. If you are seeking information about persuasion, grow up from persuading an individual to persuading masses to lead them to what is right. This is where Mythology comes into picture. At one instance, he even mentions that Mythologies are neither truth nor lies but it is something that is generated out of the day to day problems that individuals faced in history and even today.

"How to live a human life under any circumstances, only myths can tell you that." excerpt from the interview.

My next book in reading is his another great work "The Hero with 1000 faces." It is a journey of how heros are formed in Mythologies and the real hero that exists within all or us.

Subcategories

Mythology
•	African
•	Arthurian Legends
•	Asian
•	Celtic & British Isles
•	Children's Books
•	Egyptian
•	Folklore
•	Gilgamesh
•	Greek & Roman
•	Holy Grail
•	Indian
•	Norse
•	Sagas
•	Storytelling
Occult
•	Alchemy
•	Astral Projection
•	Astrology
•	Auras & Colors
•	Crop Circles
•	Cults & Demonism
•	ESP
•	Ghosts & Haunted Houses
•	Magic
•	Metaphysical Phenomena
•	Near-Death Experiences
•	Occultism
•	Parapsychology
•	Rosicrucianism
•	Satanism
•	Shamanism
•	Spiritualism
•	Supernatural
•	UFOs
•	Unexplained Mysteries
•	Wicca
•	Witchcraft
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