Myths to Live By by Joseph Campbell Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of Myths to Live By
Book Review: Eloquent exposition of the Universal Myth
Summary: 5 Stars
"Myths to Live By" is one of those books which makes me wish I did not have to assign a star rating. For while it is, as the title of this review suggests, a very eloquent and powerful exposition of the Myth that forms the bones of our Psyche, Campbell clearly has some predjudices that make some of his points difficult to see.First, however, I shall focus on the positve aspects of the work. Campbell begins his book with a story about the conflict between a myth (in this case the story of Adam and Eve) and the facts discovered by science. The little anecdote serves to present the key thesis of the book: that our old religious idea that myths are literally true is no longer servicable, and that we must now, in an age where the world is coming together in ways unprecendented, seek the pattern that underlies all myths and discover our oneness as a species. Campbell explains why myth and ritual are neccesary in concrete, psycholgical terms. If there are no myths, individuals will become alienated from their society, since myths contain affect images that speak to not the rational mind, but the psyche. His argument is essensially Jungian in tone. Through a comparitive look at the worlds "major" religions, he shows how all myths are variations on the theme of self discovery and rebirth as a person engaged with the Universe and society.
All that is wonderful. What is not wonderful, however, is the vaugley reactionary tone underlying some of the books passages. Campbell seems to share the imperialist view that all of human history naturally culminates in modern, technological, Western Civilization. He dismisses the youth movement of the time he wrote this book (the sixties to early seventies) as folly. The cultural contribution of "Beat" poets such as Ginsberg an Kerouak is completley ignored. In fact, the "Beats" are never even mentioned when Campbell throws out an all encompassing statement like "we have no artists...of such power today".
Equally troubling is the statement that "all life is suffering, all societies are opressive, and we just have to learn to live with it". Now, while it may be true that life is sorrowful and that social orders have, throughout history, tended to be unjust, it does not follow that we have to accept the latter fact with the same passivity as the former. As Campbell points out, we make the choices that determine the direction of our society. If everyone, or a strong majority at least, were able to come to the understanding of universal Myth and Divinity, the opression that exists today would decrease, if not dissapear. The book comes to a climax with an expose of the mythic dimensions of the first moon walk. The chapter illustrates how we are indeed one planet and one species. Juxtoposed with "all societies are opressive, and we just have to live with it" however, the chapter's beauty becomes terror. In this light, the chapter is a prophecy of slavery, not oneness.
Still, this is a very important book, marred as all great works are by the author's prejudices. When reading this book, remember Buddha's finger pointing at the moon, and which one was more important.
Book Review: Eye Opening
Summary: 4 Stars
This book, like other Campbell works really speaks to your soul to help you grasp the nature of our times. As one reviewer said, if you read it at the right time of your life, it can completely change you.I highly reccomend this or any Campbell work.
Book Review: Good!
Summary: 4 Stars
Came in on time and was as just like it was detailed in it review. And dont forget to get a dictionary the books wording is out of this world.
Book Review: Instant Enlightenment? Not really, but damn close...
Summary: 5 Stars
Myths to Live By is, I believe, Joseph Campbell's finest single volume book for the lay public. Dr. Campbell's comparative study of mythologies/religions/cultures both of the east and west is revealing, instructive, compelling and ultimately devastating. Devastating because (almost forty years ago) I discovered in this little book the intellectual catapult I needed to liberate myself and forever abandon the trappings of Judeo/Christian/Islamic 'baggage' for the greener shores of Buddhism and zen. For me this book was pivotal as it clearly pointed me towards the works of D.T. Suzuki and subsequently to those of Paul Reps, Nyogen Senzaki, Nakagawa Soen, Thomas Cleary and R.H. Blyth. I am deeply grateful to all (deep gassho). Is it possible to reach enlightenment by reading the works of others? I have pointed you in the direction of these Buddhas. Now you add your forty years and let's see...Book Review: Liberate Your Faith
Summary: 5 Stars
Without a doubt Joe's best book. I have given it as a gift to several friends. Some are ready for the message and get it, but truthfully, some do not. But if you can get the message, it will liberate your faith, raise your thoughts to a new, better level and help you let go of your old way of thinking about all religions.
I have read six of Joe's books. The Masks of God series will give much more detail. The Hero With a Thousand Faces concentrates on the classic hero journey. This book is a combination of all of them. The essays are transcripts of lectures and are very easy to read. His stories are funny, timely and, like dreams, "they shine of themselves". Joseph Campbell will change your life. Enjoy