by Joseph Campbell, Bill Moyers (Contributor), Betty Sue Flowers (Editor)
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.
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.
From the Publisher:
The Power Of Myth launched an extraordinary resurgence of
interest in Joseph Campbell and his work. A preeminient scholar,
writer, and teacher, he has had a profound influence on millions of
people. To him, mythology was the "song of the universe, the music
of the spheres." With Bill Moyers, one of America's most prominent
journalists, as his thoughtful and engaing 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.
