Myths to Live By by Joseph Campbell Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of Myths to Live By
Book Review: A great book, though sometimes hit or miss
Summary: 4 Stars
How should myths be used in our personal lives? Are they important? What Campbell did for this book was to take a bunch of lectures he had given in the 60s and early 70s and collect them for this book. Therefore, to my mind, they seemed a bit disjointed. Some chapters were much more interesting and relevant than others (heck, some of them I didn't really feel even related to the theme of the book). But overall, there were a lot of good ideas and thoughts in this book, especially the chapter on schizophrenia.Book Review: A new mythology
Summary: 5 Stars
What is a mythology? What role does it play in modern society? Does it have any positive effects in our culture? Campbell's book explores these questions, by giving a clear account of the different mythologies around the world and throughout the ages. This comparative study of our ancestral and modern beliefs and views of the universe not only enlighten us as to how our forefathers confronted reality but it, as well, teaches us how we can deal with the world of experience around us.
To state it bluntly: our adventures in the world teach us about ourselves, just as going into ourselves we learn about the world. By going into one you simultaneously explore the other.
Please enjoy this delightful book as it will engage you in a journey of over 10,000 years and the voyage of inner discovery.
Book Review: As Relevent Today as When Campbell lectured
Summary: 4 Stars
This book is a series of Lectures given by Professor Campbell.Campbell's writing style is very accessible to scholars and non scholars alike tho. For anyone interested in not only research and theory on world mythology, but also human pyschology and any kind of insight into the human condition should read this book.
Although there is no clear thesis stated in the beginning the lectures/chapters have a very nice and logical flow to them. To conclude I can't say this book changed my life, but it made me think and as his writing/lectures progressed it became obvious he had clear objective in mind which he met an a concise and clear manner. An interesting read.
Book Review: Campbell's Ancient Themes Live Here and Now
Summary: 5 Stars
Campbell selected and compiled a selection of a talks on mythology from a series of discussions that he delivered between 1958 and 1971. There is an academic quality about his style, but this will not be a barrier to most people who enjoying thinking and reflecting about what humans share in beliefs. The ancient mythic themes come alive as he weaves the observations of 20th Century everyday living with flashbacks of times ago. He storytells and teaches using 13 broad topics such as love, the beginnings of Humankind, War and Peace, schizophrenia, and the moon walk. Campbell's text reads as if he is in your home; quite possibly having a glass of wine; discussing love relationships in the theater of Life; balancing the ideas of such people as St. Paul, Shaw, Sarte, Persian poets, Buddha, and Lord Krishna. He is at his strongest in his chapters on journeys: inward and outward. A word of caution: Your mind's ear will be listening to a Master Teacher. If you liked Bill Moyer's interview with Campbell, you will appreciate Campbell's theme choices and style. His art of making sense of human potential and challenging its boundaries is a stimulating reflective exercise.Book Review: Captivating
Summary: 5 Stars
Joseph Campbell was among the sharpest of human minds in the 20th century, and his unique style and wisdom can be found throughout this magnificent book. In Myths to Live By, he concentrates on the myths of various global traditions which apply to our day to day life. The stories set forth in myth truly encapsulate the human experience; the way we both see the world as well as respond to it are all there in these ancient stories. Campbell explores Christianity, Buddhism, Sufism, and Zoroastrianism - all within the contents of this deceivingly thin book. This is a must have for any Joe Campbell fan, as well as anyone looking to unearth the rich meaning of this thing we call life. Get pleasure from this book, and have fun on your mythic journey!