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Summary: We cannot live without myths of some sort
Review: Recorded a couple of years before his death, this one-on-one conversation between professor of mythology Joseph Campbell and television journalist Bill Moyers opens up a world of stories and rituals we thought were and are primitive and barbaric. Professor Campbell shows us that the legends and stories of yore--the myths of early man--as well as their rituals and sacrifices were told and enacted because they ordered their experiences of the world. They explained and gave meaning to their lives. Moreover, the underlying themes to which these stories pointed told man what he was and what he needed to do in life. In this program Campbell culls stories from Hinduism, Buddhism, from Native Americans, Africa, and the Medieval West to illustrate his thesis. Listened to with an ear for beauty and a mind prepared to catch the metaphors, these stories become indeed powerful vehicles for us to understand the world and ourselves. While we may think that we at the turn of the millenium are sophisticated enough to dispense with myths, the fact is that people of every age and time need stories and myths to live. For instance one of the myths we of the 20th-21st century subscribe to is the myth of science and technology--these disciplines have become demi-gods to us, and the scientists the new priesthood.
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Summary: Religion made understandable
Review: There has never been any other book that brought out my needs, written. He has away of telling you something without you feeling the under dog. Any book that has his name on it, makes me feel a closeness to my inner self. This is the one person I wish I could of seen in person. The way he can separate and bring together all of our histories of the world. WOW I would tell almost anyone that is having problems to read The Power of Myth. You come away with knowledge you never leave behind.
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Summary: Mind Expanding
Review: The Power of Myth was written to provide another paradigm that you could interpret your existence by. It succeeds. While this is not new, due to the source material being from various era's, the freshness and relevance is unmistakeable. Criticism has been directed at its supposed New Age content. This is terribly unjustified. Christianity has a tendency to label and condemn that which is different from itself, typically this is a reaction to what is perceived as a threat. Subscribing to Campbell's religion/theology/mythology should not be precursor for reading The Power of Myth. Read and interpret your own life under its scope. Recommended for everyone.
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Summary: A mind opening book that makes you smile from the heart
Review: Of my two favorite memories of Campbell's talks with Bill Moyers of PBS, which is what this book transcribes and encapsulates, the one that comes to mind is an introduction between Campbell and a Catholic Priest, perhaps a Cardinal, that he retells. After they are introduced and the Priest is told who Dr. Campbell is and a little about his life, he asks him, "Are you still Catholic?" To which he replies "No, Father." He then asks- and Campbell was impressed by his specificity- "Do you believe in a *personal* God?" To which Campbell replies, "No, Father." The Priest then replies, almost as if to engage in a debate and denigrate the atheist's worship of the rational mind uber alles simultaneously (and an atheist is what you are led to assume he thinks Campbell is), "Well, I guess there is no way to logically prove the existence of God." And Campbell answers, calmly, "If there were Father, what would be the value of faith?" "It's been a pleasure meeting you Dr. Campbell, have a nice day." Regardless of your faith, interest, background or education, you will find yourself in the same shoes of that Priest when you read this. Campbell's erudition and knowledge of the many ideas, subtexts and similarities inherent in the world's treasure trove of mythology is daunting to say the least, and his approach is designed to have it all make sense to the modern human's heart. THE POWER OF MYTH may be the best Campbell book to serve as the doorway to his world, his incredible mind, and the eternal wisdom of mythology, as it manifests itself in every culture- not to mention our personal lives. To say it will make you think is almost denigrating it; it will make you ponder. It will lead you (after quite possibly confusing the hell out of you, as you try to absorb it into a preexisting way of thinking that may become obsolete via what he teaches) to wonder the way children wonder. And in the end, you will smile from the soul, not just the heart. I highly recommend this as a Joseph Campbell and Mythology primer- and recommend HERO OF A THOUSAND FACES after this has whet your appetite's soul.
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Summary: Heros and Sacrifice
Review: Couple of things, but this one really stands out...all throughout the book Joseph Campbell refers to - out of death comes life, out of life come death. Would this not indicate that birth itself is sacrifice? We are reborn into this life, knowing we will die - knowing that there will come an end to our time of physical being. There are many other sacrifices we make in life - but would birth itself not be the first sacrifice that each and every human participates in? The mother giving birth sacrifices that connection that she had with her child and can no longer have, the child sacrifices the comfort and connection with the mother...and out of that birth the sacrifice of life is being made. Would this not make every new born child a hero? Would this not make every mother a hero? Another thing....on page 90 - toward the bottom - it is said "the animal gives its life willingly, with the understanding that its life transcends its physical entity and will be returned to the soil or to the mother through some ritual restoration." This would be a willing sacrifice - a connection with all that is. An understanding that death is not the end, and that through its death, life emerges and continues...stronger for its death. Then, on page 91, it is said (concerning the Bushmen and their rituals of the hunt) "After the animal has been shot and is dying painfully of the poison, the hunters have to fulfill certain taboos of not doing this and that in a kind of 'participation mystique', [...]" This, to me is a wonderful acknowledgement of the willing sacrifice of the animal - and an honouring of that sacrifice through a willing personal sacrifice of each hunter to honor that. A going without by the hunters to thank the animal for the gift of life. A life given through a life taken. All of it through the understanding that being transcends just life itself. Would this not make the animal a hero? Decide this for yourself, after reading The Power of Myth by Joseph Campbell. A worthwhile read. A book that makes you think.
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Summary: Captivating
Review: Basically, transcriptions of a series of really great conversations. Though I can't say I agree with all of his conclusions, Campbell's erudition is astonishing, & it's wonderful fun hearing him hold forth on everything from Jesus & Buddha to John Lennon & Star Wars. This is the best kind of book - one that sends you scuttling off to the library in search of a dozen other titles. Probably the best general introduction I've read on mythology, religion, & their importance in our lives & culture.
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Summary: Free Your Mind Before Beginning This Book!
Review: Do not begin this book with a closed mind. Joseph Campbell can lead you into a new passage of your life if you are ready for it. The question and answer format can be, at times, ponderous and tedious, however this is the best introduction to Mr. Campbell's work. There were sections that I longed to be able to interject my own questions following the direction that I felt the conversation was naturally heading, but Mr. Moyers felt that it was going another way. This can be my only complaint. Mr. Campbell goes into explaining many symbols that saturate our society. Some symbols we are experiencing everyday, but are unconscious of them. This is the collective unconscious of things that we have stored in our collective memory banks. Mr. Campbell attempts to explain some of these. He also draws many parallels between a variety of sources including poetry, literature, and art. This book is an overall culture lesson that everyone needs. The basic "knowledge" that is in-bred in each of us needs to be examined. However, only a small amount of people today even attempt to understand that. My point is, those symbols and experiences are our bonds as human beings. This is important to humanity. Read this book if you are prepared to dwell on the things that he has put before you. Have a highlighter ready to remind yourself of those most important quotes from the book!
Rating: 
Summary: A very good read
Review: I got alot more out of this book than i thought i would. i often reflect back to this book and new "clicks" happen for me by comparing cultural myths and beliefs. If this book is read in the right frame of mind you can see alot of a bigger human spiritual picture out of it. This is a good read for a tired after work weekday night. Not hard reading soft and entertaining. I would recommend it.
Rating:
Summary: WOW
Review: I am usually a man of many words, but I will be very concise here.READ THIS BOOK.JUST READ THIS BOOK.If you don't read anything else in your life, READ THIS BOOK.I believe that this book should be mandatory reading for any college philosophy,psychology, or religion course.I believe it is also an asset for artists, musicians and writers.Anyone who deals on a day to day basis with the world of the human mind.Life just made so much more sense to me after I read this book.But beware...if you have been braiwashed in any way by organized religion, you may have to learn to think rationally and clearly before you can get the message in this book.So free your mind, and open a great book.
Rating:
Summary: WOW
Review: I am usually a men of many words, but I will be very concise here.READ THIS BOOK.JUST READ THIS BOOK.If you don't read anything else in your life, READ THIS BOOK.I believe that this book should be mandatory reading for any college philosophy,psychology, or religion course.I believe it is also an asset for artists, musicians and writers.Anyone who deals on a day to day basis with the world of the human mind.Life just made so much more sense to me after I read this book.But beware...if you have been braiwashed in any way by organized religion, you may have to learn to think rationally and clearly before you can get the message in this book.So free your mind, and open a great book.
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