Reviews (9)

Good Work !!
Mr Davis does it again.I have always been a fan of his work and this book is a good intro to mythology of a lot of countries.His description as always is easy to follow and once in a while he would throw in a couple of funny remarks that stay with you.On this book you can see that Mr Davis has done a lot of research and it has paid off.The only problem that i had with this book is that once in a while he reaches conclusions that i dont agree with.Sometimes i believe that he stretching these conclusions a little too far.For example he says that the tale of Pandora's Box points to women as the ones that bring suffering to the world much as the Book of Genesis in the Biblie blames Eve for all the suffering in the world.I think that conclusion is just plain wrong as there is no indication of the Biblie blaming women of anything except desobedience.He also says that Adan had a second wife.Again,this conclusion is just too far fetched since no such person ever existed.Besides these conclusions the book is really good.

Accessible Overview of Mythology
Davis' "Don't Know Much About" series has always been marked by the author's conversational and breezy style as opposed to more dry, pedantic treatment of the subjects.That tone is continued here in his view of world mythology. Instead of aiming at being a comprehensive overview of the subject, he chooses to highlight the "you should know" topics - much like a Cliff Notes for a whole course. Often times the word Mythology only brings up images of Greek and Roman gods in people's minds. What Davis does well is to bring us back into the other myths of the ancient world - from Egypt and Mesopotamia, showing how these myths intermingled with other cultures and influenced, among other things, possibly several stories in the Bible. Davis continues around the world highlighting the stories of the Celts, the Norse, Indians, Chinese and Japanese. He comes up a bit short in his discussion of Sub-Saharan Africa and Native American mythology mainly because it is such a diverse topic involving not one dominant culture, but rather hundreds of individual cultures, each with their own views of the world. So while I would applaud him for including recognition of these areas, Davis set himself up with a task far beyond his current project that may leave the reader unsatisfied in these areas.Overall a good book to get a quick overview and introduction to names, stories and history of various cultures and how stories that are still familiar today came into being.

An insightful and concise presented study of the world of historical mythology
This review refers to the audiobook edition
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Subjects:  1. Folklore & Mythology    2. Folklore & Mythology - Mythology    3. Mythology    4. Reference    5. Social Science    6. Sociology    7. Reference / General   

Reviews (6)

Au contraire...
I came searching for this book on Amazon because I checked it out from my library & don't want to give it back.Other opinions seem to indicate that the book is unreadable; however I find it much more readable than the usual fact-filled scholarese that's so dry it can't be choked down into consciousness.I'm just starting on my own Holy Grail quest, so mayhap my opinion should be considered 'beginner', but I've found this book interesting, easy to understand, with a great bibliography for further study.I also appreciate her liberal use of timelines, quotations & citings to break up the monotony of page after page of fact-filled text.
Holy Garil
Save your money. i found this book to be pure fiction & garbage very little research was done by the author. Its an Alice in wonderland tale.
What Do I Win?
Surely, after reading this entire book, I deserve some sort of prize as reward for my efforts.Undoubtedly, reading this book requires an uncommon effort on behalf of the reader.Goodrich employs a writing style even more idiosyncratic and unwieldy than my own.I don't think she is a terrible writer, all the same, and I must praise anyone who is able to get an editor to accept passive sentences.Nonetheless, there are sentences that, no matter how many times I read them, do not seem to be sentences at all, just expressions that often make no sense.On a broader level, many passages in the book either do not seem to relate to the topic at hand, namely the Holy Grail, or else they only make sense if the reader already knows much of the information that the author assumes her readers know (doubtless, she assumes we have already read her books on Arthur, Merlin, etc.).I never really grasped the relevance of Esclamonde in the story, even though the author devotes a lengthy chapter to her.There are some sections, I must say, that are interesting and less arcane, particularly the section about the innately interesting Knights Templar.A remarkable sentence in this section leaped out at me (as no other sentence did, I assure you).When alluding to the tortures inflicted on the Knights Templar in France, she writes "No woman, it is certain, can believe that any man alive would torture another man in such ways."Regrettably, to my morbid tastes, she doesn't really detail these horrible acts.What makes this sentence so interesting is the fact that Goodrich's feminism is clearly evident throughout the whole book.In fact, some sections seem to degenerate into a feminist diatribe bearing almost no relation to the Grail quest.I guess the sentence referenced above means that women are less bestial than men; if not, it sounds like a Victorian sentiment about the daintiness of women.In the end, I can't really recommend this book to the general reader.You just aren't going to find a lot of substantive information about the Holy Grail here, at least not the kind of information I was looking for.Maybe an expert in mediaeval literature would find this book much more stimulating and relevant than I did.If you want to prove to yourself that you are truly an intellectual, though, this may be the best test I can think of for you.Good luck. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Fiction    2. Folklore & Mythology - Folklore    3. History - General History    4. Medieval    5. Celtic, Saxon, Germanic & Nordic archaeology    6. European archaeology    7. History / General   

Reviews (5)

Wonderful book!Just needs MORE content!
This book was a gift for my 4 year old. It seems to be a re-written edition which is fine, as it is easier to understand than other versions we have. The illustrations are wonderful and my daughter loves them. However I was a bit disappointed that they could not fill this book with more fables. It seems like sort of a thin book for the price, and some of the most popular fables were omitted from this version.Just an FYI, since Amazon seems to be mixing reviews on here among various versions of books... this review is for ISBN# 0-7624-0413-2. I bought this and other books based on reviews that were not relevent to the particular version of the book I purchased.
a great book, but not for my classroom
While I appreciate this book for its beautiful, large illustrations, I wish I had browsed the table of contents before purchasing it. I had intended to use this book with my first grade class because we are studying Aesop's Fables. However, since two of the fables in this book contain the word "ass," this book is not appropriate for my classroom. I have no problem using it with my own children, however, so I'm not sorry that I bought it!

Beautiful, but not what I expected
It is true - the drawings in this book are beautiful.However, I was hoping that the telling of the fables would have more of the original flavor.The stories have been updated to at least the 20th century.I am sure that when Aesop told the stories, the Country Mouse and the City Mouse didn't have to dodge automobiles and miss stepping in bubblegum.It was misleading that Aesop is listed as "editor" because the stories are not as he told them.Read more

Subjects:  1. Adaptations    2. Children's 4-8 - Picturebooks    3. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    4. Children: Grades 3-4    5. Fables    6. Fables, Greek    7. Fairy Tales & Folklore - Anthologies    8. Folklore    9. Juvenile Fiction    10. Legends, Myths, & Fables - Greek & Roman    11. Fairy tales, folk tales, fables, magical tales & traditional stories    12. Sale Books    13. Sale Adult - Children's Books - Ages 9-12   

Subjects:  1. Alabama    2. American - General    3. Antiques & Collectibles    4. Antiques/Collectibles    5. Art & Art Instruction    6. Ceramics    7. Folk & Outsider Art    8. Folk art    9. Pottery & Ceramics    10. Pottery, American    11. Social Science / Folklore & Mythology   

Reviews (6)

Wordy, but interesting
We used this book in my 300-level college class and even though I found the authors to be frustratingingly wordy at times, it was still an intersting book with thought-provoking insights.
Lots of primary texts to go with the images & insights
I managed to make it all the way to the 21st century before I actually made my students buy a single textbook that cost this much, but after my first semester of using the Fourth Edition of "Classical Mythology: Images & Insights" by Stephen L. Harris and Gloria Platzner I do not have any major regrets.In the past I have liked to rely mainly on primary texts, such as Homer's "Iliad" and a collection of Greek tragedies, supplemented by handouts, because I prefer that my students come up with their own interpretations. However, teaching a Classical Mythology course on line changes the dynamics of the teacher-student interaction, which made the switch to this textbook a viable option. good, but at times maddening
Harris and Platzner's Classical Mythology is thorough and eloquently written. I particularly like the use of original sources (Hesiod, Homer, Sophocles, Aeschylus, Euripides, Virgil and Ovid)along with indepth analyses of the works themselves. Sometimes I think the authors' interpretations are a bit of a stretch, but nonetheless they are thoughtful and beautifully written. Read more

Subjects:  1. Antiquities & Archaeology    2. Folklore & Mythology    3. Mythology, Classical    4. Religion    5. Religion - Church History    6. Social Science    7. Sociology    8. Religion & Beliefs    9. Social Science / Folklore & Mythology   

Reviews (31)

Really Heavy
This book is unbelievably heavy in the figurative sense.Although the writing can be laborious, the argument put forth regarding ancient astronomical facts being tied up in "folk tales" is stunning.Deeply researched, long, this book is definitely NOT for your ten year old.

Lacked Structure
There more than enough interesting material here for a good book. Reading this is like following a dozen rabbit trails without a guide. Even knowing the point of the essay before-hand only carried me so far. These authors needed more interested editors.

Clear reasoning, chaotic structure, engaging book.
Santillana and Dechend have made a compelling case for the role that myth plays in describing and capturing complex astronomical observations. I read it with great interest and engagement, but could have used better laid connections between the appendices and the main text. I am reasonably well-read in myth, but I still found myself flipping rather frantically back and forth and searching for online references so that I better understood what was being said.
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Subjects:  1. Astrology - General    2. Astronomy - General    3. Folklore & Mythology - Mythology    4. General    5. Philosophy    6. Sociology    7. Epistemology, theory of knowledge   

Reviews (22)

Insights from a new perspective
Whatever opinion scholars have of Bettelheim, this is an extraordinarily eye-opening work for a layman. Just the insights into the magical thinking of children--how fairy tales make sense to them because a parent's abilities to predict behavior, for example, seems magical to them too--is "worth the price of admission" for any parent.

A classic psychoanalytical view of fairy tales
It is well known that storytelling is an innate expression of civilization, in an effort to define who we are and to make sense of the world. The fairy tale is an important part of this tradition that has a long and rich history spanning thousands of years.
Take with a LARGE grain of salt
I've noticed that one reviewer pointed to Richard Pollak's biography of the author, "The Creation of Dr. B," as a source of information on Bruno Bettelheim's legitimacy as a psychoanalyst (or lack thereof).I would second that recommendation.Before reading "The Uses of Enchantment," one should be aware that large portions of this book were brazenly plagiarized from other sources, such as Julius Heuscher's "A Psychiatric Study of Fairy Tales: Their Origin, Meaning and Usefulness."Several passages were lifted directly from this work, published in 1963 (more than a decade before Bettelheim began writing "The Uses of Enchantment"), and barely even paraphrased.Heuscher was cited only once by Bettelheim, and not for any of these virtually direct quotes.I would think long and hard before taking anything Bettelheim attempted to pass off as his own work seriously. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's stories    2. Fairy tales    3. Folklore and children    4. History and criticism    5. Psychoanalysis and fairy tales    6. Non-Classifiable   

Reviews (15)

This is the one scholars quote from . . .
A collection of the major Mesopotamian myths translated by a respected scholar.This is an excellent source for those desiring an authoritative translation.Even so, these myths can be somewhat awkward to read given Dalley's use of square brackets to indicate gaps in the text and omission dots to indicate an unknown word or phrase.No doubt these are accepted academic techniques for translating ancient texts, but I do hope someone will come along and render these myths in a more enthralling format.For just such an example of how ancient texts can be made to come alive for the modern reader, see "Gilgamesh: A New English Version" by Stephen Mitchell .Nonetheless, I give Dalley five stars, but also highly, highly recommend Mitchell's new version of Gilgamesh.

Very Interesting
This is a thorough compilation of Akkadian myths.These are modern translations based on up to date scholarship.While Dalley does a good job of bringing out the poetry of these myths, these are direct translations of the original texts showing all omissions and as yet untranslated words and phrases.This approach gives a very good idea of both the character of the myths and also of the difficulties encountered by scholars in reconstructing these texts from the fragmentary available records.Readers will end numerous echoes of better known myths in these translations.The introductoryessays, footnotes, and background information are excellent.

Great Collection Of Early Mesopotamian Literature
This is an excellent collection of several ancient Mesopotamian mythical stories.The original sources used for these translations were all written in Akkadian (which includes Semitic Babylonian and Assyrian dialects).Included in this collection are "Atrahasis", "The Epic of Gilgamesh" (standard and Old Babylonian versions), "The Descent of Ishtar to the Underworld", "Nergal and Ereshkigal" (standard and Amarna versions), "Adapa", "Etana", "Anzu" (standard and Old Babylonian versions), "The Epic of Creation", "Theogony of Dunnu", and "Erra and Ishum".
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Subjects:  1. Classics    2. Comparative Religion    3. English, Irish, Scottish, Welsh    4. Folklore & Mythology    5. Literary Criticism    6. Literature - Classics / Criticism    7. Literature: Classics    8. Mythology, Assyro-Babylonian    9. Alternative belief systems    10. Anthropology | Folklore    11. British Isles    12. Myths & mythology    13. Other prose: classical, early & medieval    14. Social Science / Folklore & Mythology   

Reviews (2)

Price is Right
The price of the book was a very good price compared to other places I've looked.

Humanistic Traditions (vol. 4-6)
Fiero has done a wonderful job surveying history, making it enjoyable and interesting to almost any reader.With pictures of artwork and architecture, Fiero's text is enchanced, allowing the reading to gain abroader view into history from the enlightenment to modern times. As withmany history books, the writer's presuppitions are reflected in theirwriting.Fiero follows this trend, allowing her feministic presupptions tointerpret history.While this is not so evident in volumes 4 and 5, involume 6 (a review of modern times), this view is highly stated. Thisseries (including the first 3 volumes) is a wonderful review of history,allowing the reader to see into various cultures throughout history. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 17th century    2. 18th century    3. Art & Art Instruction    4. Arts, Baroque    5. Arts, Modern    6. Folklore & Mythology    7. History - Baroque & Rococo    8. Religion    9. Social Science    10. Sociology    11. Ancient Western philosophy to c 500    12. Cultural studies    13. History of art: BCE to c 500 CE, ancient & classical world    14. Literary studies: classical, early & medieval    15. Non-Classifiable    16. World history: BCE to c 500 CE   

Reviews (24)

An absolute must...
When we stayed in a cabin on the lake every summer, I looked forward to being able to read this book (which was in the cabin's collection) more than anything else.As a child, the book inspired all sorts of play and imagination, and just seeing the cover art brings back those memories.
A Family Book
This delightful book has been a wonderful resource to my family over the years. It has charmed all six of my children when moping in bed because of sickness, and is now loaned out to grand-children. It doesn't sit on the shelves with the other books; and visitors invariably pick it up and flip through it - then need to have it torn from their grasp to come and sit up to table.
wonderful!
I was first introduced to this book as a young child.It was one of my grandma's coffee table books.I poured over page after page of the amazing illustrations.I looked at it so much, my grandma eventually gave the book to me.This book actually makes you believe in gnomes.
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Subjects:  1. Art    2. Children: Babies & Toddlers    3. European - German    4. Fairies    5. General    6. History - Modern (Late 19th Century to 1945)    7. Myth & legend told as fiction    8. Social Science / Folklore & Mythology   

Reviews (27)

Surprising
It is surpising that such wonderful and magical tales came from a land that preaches hatred and bloodshed.

Handcrafted Quality
They don't make books like they used to - or, so i thought, until i bought this elegant edition of The Arabian nights.Beautifully bound, printed on high-quality paper, with an erudite introduction, and clear, but stylish font, I thought how appropriate for the publisher to release a classic such as The Arabian nights in such a 'classic' style, hearkening back to a time when great care was put into published books.
The best 'Nights' yet!
Haddawy's translation is the most accurate and elegant yet. Although it does have a few quirks (typos, unfamiliar phrases) it is by far better than any other English translation of the 'Nights.' Also, the Syrian manuscript he used as the basis for his translation is now considered the standard Arabic 'Nights.' (for tales that are especially popular in the West, but are probably less authentic, such as 'Aladdin' or 'Sindbad the Sailor,' check out the second volume Haddawy's 'Nights.') If you want a more complete, but less accurate 'Nights,' check out Sir Richard Burton's translation. I personally have a few more problems with Burton's translation though: I don't want to have to read 16 volumes (10 original volumes, 6 supplementary volumes) of the 'Nights,' his writing style is slightly archaic (Burton was from the Victorian age), and sometimes he gets excessively engrossed in sexual detail and nuance that it detracts from the important aspects of whatever particular scene he is dealing with. I do also have one minor issue with Haddawy's translation (actually it's more of an issue with the manuscript he used): the third old man's tale is missing in the Story of the Merchant and the Demon (this wouldn't be much of a problem if that particular story didn't happen to be one of my favorites.) ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Folklore & Mythology    2. Literary    3. Literature - Classics / Criticism    4. Oral And Folk Literature    5. Reference    6. Fiction / Literary    7. Myth & legend told as fiction   

Reviews (6)

FORTY YEARS OF UNIVERSITY RESEARCH ARE BEHIND THIS BOOK
This book takes you methodically through individual cases of early childhood memories of past lives.These cases are thoroughly and professionally documented, researched and objectively judged as plausible or not...all in a scientific manner.More compelling proof that reincarnation exists.

great book
I already think reincarnation in some form is a given, so the parts of the book that ponder other explanations for the research reported in this book didn't interest me that much, but I loved reading the stories and really loved the correlations he conducted.I would have liked more of those - I'm sure that's something that will come in the future.Most important, I think this book demonstrates the positive balance between the scientific model and the psycho-spiritual approach.Neither one approach throwing out the other, but using the best of each to enhance the other.Easy to read and extremely interesting!

unanswered questions
I have had so nany unanswered questions about re-incarnation, I love the way this book draws on the scientific, and common sense,Then allows you to just draw your own conclusions.The many years of research put together stories that are riveting, It helps take away the taboo in our western world of believing in re-incarnation. At the same time, in no way does the author try to force oppinions on you.It is strictly from a scientific view. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Body, Mind & Spirit    2. Case studies    3. Folklore    4. Memory in children    5. Miscellanea    6. New Age    7. New Age / Body, Mind & Spirit    8. Parapsychology - Near-Death Experience    9. Reincarnation    10. Body, Mind & Spirit / Reincarnation   

Reviews (6)

Fantastically Fortean
With the current proliferation of books about weird events, "The President's Vampire" is a diamond among briquettes. Robert Damon Schneck has done forteans and fans of the fantastic a tremendous service by picking little-known subjects and applying a scholar's research skills and a highly developed storyteller's art. The choice of stories in this collection, the degree of historical documentation, and a magnificent sense of wonder make this book a true original - possibly a classic. I'm eager to see more by Mr. Schneck. --Joseph A. Citro, author of Passing Strange.

Masterpiece ofAmerican Forteana
The President's Vampire is one of the sort of outstanding Fortean collections that only comes out every quarter century or so: original, penetrating, and I dare say, standard- setting. For while Schneck in his introduction describes his guilty affection for the "gee-whiz"/ "Strange but true" tomes penned by such as Frank Edwards, that is not at all what this book is about.Instead, the author takes on 8 chapter length treatments of obscure American tales and curiosities, lavishing each with miles of rigorous research, commentary and comparison, leaving no stone unturned to bring together an almost flawlessly complete series of case studies, each of which is put into as much context as the sheer uncertainty and intermediateness of the world will allow.
A Pleasure to Read
Leagues beyond the usual tripe that passes for fortean research, this book is clearly well-researched by the author and highly engaging. I particularly appreciated the finer details provided by the author (ie. the origins of the word turnepike, a description of a drive through Essex County, NJ---and that's just one chapter) which helpfully and informatively fill out the experience of the individual stories for the reader. All will find something of interest here. I hope to read more from this author. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Body, Mind & Spirit    2. Folklore & Mythology    3. New Age    4. New Age / Body, Mind & Spirit    5. Parapsychology - General    6. United States - General    7. Folklore    8. Ghosts & poltergeists    9. Monsters & legendary beings    10. USA    11. Unexplained phenomena   

Reviews (4)

Fantastic book!
I am so thrilled to see that this book is still in print.When I was a child, I used to read and re-read an originally published copy (still called The Fairy Mythology then) in her dusty, musty library.I've searched and searched for the book, not even able to recall the title until the other day, when I typed in the original title and came up with the re-print.What a wonderful treat to know that I will be able to own a copy again.It completely cast a mysterious, magical spell over my adolescence.You will love this book.

Mythic tales
It's a credit to Thomas Keightley's "World Guide to Gnomes, Fairies, Elves & Other Little People" that it's still a relevant mythologic source today, over a hundred years after it was first published. The stories, explanations and legends are still as informative as they were in 1880, although they are rather restricted.
Excellent Book!
This book was originally published in 1880 and is an excellent history of the shaping of Faerie.It starts with the origin of the term and then documents the development of the ideas and tales of Fairies in many cultures.This book is full of summaries of stories, portions of text in their original language (some of which also appear translated), footnotes to naming conventions, pronunciations, criticisms, etc.I agree with the other reviewer that this book is not for everyone and in many cases is a tough read, but it is well worth it.In short, this would be a great textbook for a class on the history of Faerie. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Fairies    2. Fairy tales    3. Fantasy - General    4. Fiction    5. Folk literature    6. Folklore    7. Folklore & Mythology    8. Sociology    9. Fiction / Fantasy / General    10. Religion & Beliefs    11. Sale Books   

Reviews (2)

Excellent.
An enormously engaging and highly explanatory work which details ancient greek religious beliefs and the works of the major playwrights and poets alike. What is of particular interest is how Gods and the stories of Myths of Gods and Godess's helped to explain the surrounding world to the people of the time. What is remarkable is these stories really were the first kind of documented evidence of humanity making sense of it's exsistance, purpose and meaning. A phenomena which has been occuring in revised and multi-cultural forms ever since.
Are the gods still with us?
Seeing the recent movie "Troy" (twice) sparked my reading Homer's "Iliad" and "Odyssey" (Lombardo's translation). But Homer left gaps, assuming his audience was familiar with the mythology. Buxton's book very nicely, comprehensively and entertainingly fills in those gaps. It's fun to read or just peruse by itself, or as a reference.
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Subjects:  1. Ancient - Greece    2. Antiquities & Archaeology    3. Folklore & Mythology - Mythology    4. Greco-Roman Mythology    5. Greek mythology    6. History    7. History: World    8. Mythology, Greek    9. Sociology    10. Ancient Greece    11. Myths & mythology    12. Pre-Christian European & Mediterranean religions   

Reviews (1)

Most wonderful gift book
Language of Flowers is full of classic poetry, mostly love poems, revolving around over forty well-known flowers. Each flower represents a character quality;e.g., innocence, female ambition, grace and elegance,etc. In addition to the poems, a brief paragraph or two is given explainingthe history and use of each flower. Finally, nearly each page has prints ofbeautiful oil paintings, of course, with the given flower in it. Overall, awonderful gift for a lovely lady or a poetically-minded man. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Flower language    2. Flowers    3. Poetry    4. Non-Classifiable   

Reviews (6)

Your Best Resource on Shamanism
Combining the cross-cultural scholarship of Eliade's "Shamanism" and the experiential teachings of Harner's "Way of the Shaman," Kalweit's "Dreamtime and Inner Space" has remained the single most useful work on shamanism in my research library. Fascinating, readable, and accessible, this is a book to refer back to again and again. Kalweit is a believer, but he is an educated believer. He presents the reader with shamanic experiences from a multiplicity of cultures, teaching techniques through the stories of shamans from around the world. If you have any interest at all in this subject, "Dreamtime and Inner Space" is a book you must own.

Delves into Shamanism and doesn't get swamped in New Age
Really wonderful book. I happened across it in my college library. It isn't a story and he isn't selling an idea. It brings to light how a person comes to be recognized as a shaman. He explores how the individual is transformed from a normal person into a shaman through a traumatic event or illness.Once the transformation is complete that person can never return to her former self or know her former and 'normal' consciousness again. Fascinating stuff.

THE Book on Shamanism
I cannot emphasize it enough, this is one of the most definitive books on shamanism available to the public at large. This book goes into extensive details about the practices and rites of Shamanism. The author writes about the indigenous religions of societies from North and South America, Africa, Australia, Indonesia, Southeast Asia, Siberia, Polynesia and Nepal. I strongly recommend this book. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Asian And Oriental Religions    2. Folklore & Mythology    3. Leadership    4. New Age / Parapsychology    5. Parapsychology    6. Psychical research    7. Psychology    8. Shamanism    9. Shamans    10. Witchcraft & Wicca    11. Social Science / Folklore & Mythology   

Reviews (8)

Fantastic Campbell
This book is wonderful for everyone!Whether you are a long-time fan of Joseph Campbell or new to his teachings, it is great.
Absolutely Perfect
This book was in perfect condition for a second hander, it was soo reasonably priced and it's just one of those diamonds in the rough. Joseph Campbell is such a unique individual who has such insight. He's like an academic spiritual writer, who speaks from the heart about myth and it's place in the world so we can better understand ourselves. I'd give it 10 stars if I could.

Fantastic Introduction to Joseph Campbell
I used to recommend people start with Myths to Live By, but now I think people should start with Pathways To Bliss. It's just a fantastic overview of the ideas that Joseph Campbell expands on and reiterates throughout his other books.
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Subjects:  1. Comparative Religion    2. Folklore & Mythology - Mythology    3. Mythology    4. Psychological aspects    5. Religion    6. Sociology    7. Myths & mythology    8. Religion / Comparative Religion   

Reviews (11)

Good book, would be more interesting if I lived in Eastern PA
Weird Pennsylvania could have been more appropriately named "Weird Eastern Pennsylvania" as I'd say upwards of 80% of the info in it is centered toward the Philly side of the state.It was stil a fun and interesting read, but I'd have loved to have learned about more weirdness on the Western half of PA.Come on, I live here, I know there's all kinds of weirdness to be found! :)

Would have been better titled "Ghostbusters - Pennsylvania Edition"
I ordered this book after reading a brief review of it in my local newspaper. From the review, I understood the book to contain odd Pennsylvania history, traditions, and locations--interesing and humorous items. I ordered it blindly, which was my own mistake. Upon receving the book, I was disappointed to see that much of the content focuses on the supernatural--something that I have no interest in. Unfortunately, the newspaper review made no mention of that.

The ultimate adventure guide to Pennsylvania.
Being the avid ghost hunter that I am, I absolutely love this book. There are so many interesting places in Pennsylvania I had no idea about! And not all are haunted, many are just interesting natural phenomena. This book not only gives you the history of weird places in PA, but personal accounts, and even some directions. I recommend this for any adventuresome person that likes to explore Pennsylvania. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Folklore & Mythology    2. Reference - Guides (General)    3. Social Science    4. Sociology    5. Special Interest - General    6. Travel - United States    7. United States - Mid Atlantic - Pennsylvania    8. Humor / General    9. PENNSYLVANIA - PA Folklore/Humor TRD HC   

Reviews (1)

The "Clif Notes" of storytelling for beginning storytellers
This book is helpful to those trying to find stories to tell orally to children.It contains the skeleton of many familiar folk and fairy tales that will help to remind parents and beginning storytellers of stories theymay have heard as children and want to retell in their own words.Eachstory contains the summary, the characters, and the plot outline ofstories, together with suggestions on how they might be told. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Child Care/Parenting    2. Children's literature    3. Fairy tales    4. Storytelling    5. Technique    6. Public speaking / elocution