The Power of Myth

Rating:
Summary: Wow! A real eye-opener
Review: I first heard of Joseph Campbell almost 10 years ago, but I had not read anything of his until I decided to give this book a chance. Am I glad that I did! I read through it very slowly, savoring the wonderful words of Campbell (and his guest Bill Moyers - this was taken from transcripts of a series of interviews). I underlined many passages and wrote several comments in the margins. This will undoubtedly be a book that I turn to again and again. I just found myself nodding over and over and saying "yes!" so many times. This is a must read for anyone that has an interest in their spirituality, whether Pagan, Christian, or other.

Rating:
Summary: Ties It Up, Really
Review: I was riveted, yet again, when watching PBS this weekend and Bill Moyers and Joseph Campbell. This conversation really ties Campbell's studies and other studies (Jung, for one) and studies I've made of religions and Anthropology from college. It's wonderful! Imagine how Professor Campbell would enjoy Harry Potter, if he were still with us, today! God bless him! God bless Bill Moyers, too!

Rating:
Summary: A Humanist Path to the Spirit
Review: When I first saw (and read) this series of interviews, it floored me. It opened me up to a world of spirituality outside the religious limitations I'd grown up with. Since then I've read almost everything Campbell wrote--including the new Thou Art That (wow!)--and while all of the books and recordings fill me with that same awe, this one gathers together all of the themes and ideas so cleanly and succinctly. This is a must-read.

Rating:
Summary: A Pandoras Box of Ideas
Review: Very simply put I categorically can
say that when I opened this book it
was like entering an enlightened world.
Joseph Campbell's intellect spoke lucidly and
Bill Moyer's insightful questions made this
book a journey worth taking.

Rating:
Summary: The essence of human beliefs
Review: I first came in contact with Joseph Campbell's "The Power of Myth" while taking a Mythological Backgrounds class in college. I also have had the chance to view, in several opportunities, the video series in which Bill Moyers interviews Joseph Campbell (the full transcript of the video interview is contained within this book). In the "Power of Myth" Joseph Campbell addresses the very essence of human beliefs and the need for people to identify themselves with an entity or entities (depending on the culture) that will act as a vehicle to fulfill their innermost spiritual needs. Throughout the book the reader will witness a development; a change in the tone, mood, and objective of the interview. What begins as a dicotomy of schools of thoughts (based upon the manner in which the interview begins) gradually evolves into a series of discoveries that culminate with the realization that human beings cross-culturally possess very similar beliefs, if not the same. Within the pages of this book you will find Joseph Campbell's contemporary and candid approach to the portrayal of beliefs, religion, and spiritually. Campbell uses methaphors sucha as "... our beliefs constitute the software that allows our hardware to function ... [sic]." Campbell enables the reader to travel into the realm of the inner self, identifying and explaining the conceptual ideas that we are often inspired to talk about when we come face to face with something majestic (which generally occurs when we are away from the hassle of our daily routines), in practical terms. If you read this book you will be undoubtedly touched not only by the depth of Joseph Campbell's knowledge but also by the manner in which he delivers his knowledge to the reader, and to Bill Moyers. This is the type of book that will truly take you full circle to place you face to face with your true inner self.

Rating:
Summary: Powerful and Enspiring
Review: This book is excellent. It is the most enspiring book I have ever read. I actually had to litterally pull out a highlighter it was so good. Definitly a must have for anyone who wants to look at myths in a new light. Just amazing!

Rating:
Summary: "A nice, mild, slow-burning rapture."
Review: The right word to describe this 287-page dialogue between Bill Moyersand Joseph Campbell is "powerful." Although it may not havethe depth of HERO WITH A THOUSAND FACES, this book is nonethelessengaging. These 1985 to 1986 interviews cover a lot of ground, asCampbell contemplates subjects including the inner journey, ancientmyths, sacrifice and bliss, the hero's adventure, and love andmarriage. Along the way, readers will find words to live by: feel therapture of being alive (pp. 4-5); face life's trials, and find newpossibilities in the adventure of being alive (p. 49); and follow yourbliss (p. 156), for example. "Sit in a room and read--and readand read," Campbell says. "And read the right books by theright people. Your mind is brought onto that level, and you have anice, mild, slow-burning rapture all the time" (p. 122). Thisbook will surely appeal to thinkers, dreamers, artists, or anyone whoappreciates stimulating conversation about what it means to be fullyalive.

G. Merritt

Rating:
Summary: This book changed my life in many small ways that add up!
Review: Its difficult to put into words, but this book opened my eyes in many many ways. I had reached a point in my life where I had taken most "ritual" (for lack of a better word at this moment!) acts out of my existence, seeing them as superstition, or somehow hypocritical. One of the many ways this book changed me, is in forcing me to consider the place of "myth", and "ritual" in even modern human life. By the time I finished this book I had reexamined a number of my many assumptions, and the change has been longlasting. Of course, that was only one tiny aspect of what I found enlightening about this book, and I wish I could better explain its impact, but I'm tired, and will simply have to hope that my enthusiastic yammering will entice you to check it out for yourself.

Rating:
Summary: An fine introduction to Campbell's work
Review: Since this book is basically the transcripts from Bill Moyer's excellent televised interviews with Joseph Campbell, "The Power of Myth" frequently comes off as a "Reader's Digest" coffee table condensation of Campbell's life and work. Since the interview, by its very nature is limited in its scope and focus, "The Power of Myth" simply does not possess the depth of Campbell's other work.

This really is no matter as what is present provides the reader with a fine introduction to Campbell's passionate devotion to World Myth. Campbell's life thesis, that man posseses the innate desire and need to create myth, is a compelling idea the binds us all to ourselves and each other.

"The Power of Myth" is NOT to be taken as a religious tome. In that context, it certainly does come off as a cockeyed New Age concoction of non-commitment. It is meant, however, to be taken as a work of deconstructionist literary criticsm that seeks to celebrate the common threads running through all cultures and perspectives.

Campbell openly celebrates man's ability to imagine as well as his devotion to ideas. He does not seek to debunk or trivialize the devout (one must be careful to realize this as they read Campbell). His scholarly intent as I see it, is to encourage and nurture the seed of faith inherent in all and encourage everyone to embark on their own heroic adventures of discovery.

"The Power of Myth" serves as an excellent bibliography of sorts as it lists the many great folktales and religious texts which demand re-reading. Campbell urges his audience to read for themselves and search for their own discoveries.

If one is searching for a far more in depth study of myth, I cannot praise enough Campbell's excellent "The Hero With A Thousand Faces". As is, "The Power of Myth" is a fine starting point.

Rating:
Summary: E pluribus, unum
Review: Campbell's "The Power of Myth" is a series of transcriptions of his conversations with Bill Moyers of PBS. As scholar of mythology, Cambell has both a deep and broad understanding of the countless myths that have been told over the ages - and the handful of messages that they convey. Weaving threads through such arcane and seeming unrelated topics such as Native American, Egyptian, Hindu, and Greek mythology, James Joyce, medieval romance, Star Wars, and the back side of a one-dollar bill, Cambell displays an intense passion for distilling away the metaphors that differentiate the multitude of myths, and finding the few gems that lie at the heart of them all. Absolutely an excellent book.

The illustrations in this edition are beautiful and fascinating, but one could question whether they were worth the extra price. I found this version to be worth the investment.

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