The national bestseller, now available in a non-illustrated, standard format paperback edition The Power of Myth launched an extraordinary resurgence of interest in Joseph Campbell and his work. A preeminent scholar, writer, and teacher, he has had a profound influence on millions of people–including Star Wars creator George Lucas. To Campbell, mythology was the “song of the universe, the music … “song of the universe, the music of the spheres.” With Bill Moyers, one of America’s most prominent journalists, as his thoughtful and engaging interviewer, The Power of Myth touches on subjects from modern marriage to virgin births, from Jesus to John Lennon, offering a brilliant combination of intelligence and wit.
This extraordinary book reveals how the themes and symbols of ancient narratives continue to bring meaning to birth, death, love, and war. From stories of the gods and goddesses of ancient Greece and Rome to traditions of Buddhism, Hinduism and Christianity, a broad array of themes are considered that together identify the universality of human experience across time and culture. An impeccable match of interviewer and subject, a timeless distillation of Campbell’s work, The Power of Myth continues to exert a profound influence on our culture.
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Joseph Campbell is amazing. (non-fiction)
The Power of Myth changed my life and rocked my world. Joseph Campbell was a brilliant storyteller, full of wisdom, lighting out path on this journey called Life!
A fundamental question “The Power of Myth” doesn’t confront is the existence of a creator. Campbell doesn’t seem to think so. His take is that people come up with their own meanings, create stories to relay them to the group and use these stories to define themselves. Instead, I don’t think humans are the pinnacle of knowledge but that our inner spirits have an inborn knowledge of a Creator who has communicated with earthlings throughout our history and we use those teachings to try to understand ourselves and our purpose. In my estimation, Campbell skips over this and seems to imagine myths as a brilliant human invention that’s used to keep us in our separate tribes of meaning. He sees myths as the creators rather than the creation of religions and talks about Christian myth, for example, as not based in other-worldly teachings but rather as a result of some tribes’ desires. In short, the “hero’s journey” is good to know about, but I think it has deeper meaning than what he ascribes to it. He thinks that society has lost its glue because we aren’t learning our common myths rather than we aren’t learning the true purpose of the one common faith of humankind that teaches us, among other virtues, to do unto others and love each other.
I listened to the recorded/released series (available as an audiobook) and took a look at the book, which has expanded content. The audiobook is a great listen, as Bill Moyers and Joseph Campbell are excellent in conversation with each other.
I would recommend both, as they complement each other very well.
NOTE: Though, I do not have the standard paperback / non-illustrated version that is seen in most places. I was lucky enough to find the larger, fully-illustrated book at a used bookstore. If you can find the one I have, I would highly suggest it as an alternative to the standard paperback.
Great conversation about mythology in our lives.
Every English speaking person should read this book every few years of their life.
Unbelievable!
I would rather have promoted The Hero with a Thousand Faces, but that was inexplicably un available to post.
This book is merely a transcript of interviews the author conducted with Joseph Campbell, a recognized expert on mythology and a legendary college instructor. The contents though are miraculous and often epiphanic. There are aphorisms you will want to commit to memory on nearly every page. I wish Campbell would have been a teacher, or even a one time acquaintance, of mine.
An excellent demonstration of uniform/universal beliefs without boundaries
Interesting perspective on myth and stories in various cultures and how these are linked by the collective unconscious. Joseph Campbell was a powerful thinker in the Carl Yung school of thought. High out recommended reading!!
The basis of anyone’s spiritual journey is understanding the importance of roles that identify signposts in that journey. This is a classic, as is Joseph Campbell explaining how our ancestors explored spirituality through myth.
A wonderful companion is watching Campbell narrate his ideas on the PBS series. It brings greater understanding to the book.
This book really makes one ponder, ponder in a good way.
Great read, thought provoking. Superbly written