The Hero with a Thousand Faces
Posted by admin | Posted in Medical Dictionary | Posted on 28-08-2010
5
Product Description
A study of heroism in the myths of the world – an exploration of all the elements common to the great stories that have helped people make sense of their lives from the earliest times. It takes in Greek Apollo, Maori and Jewish rites, the Buddha, Wotan, and the bothers Grimm’s Frog-King.Amazon.com Review
Originally written by Campbell in the ’40s– in his pre-Bill Moyers days — and famous as George Lucas’ inspiration for “Star Wars,” this book will likewise inspire any writer or reader in its well considered assertion that while all stories have already been told, this is *not* a bad thing, since the *retelling* is still necessary. And while our own life’s journey must always be ended alone, the travel is undertaken in the company not only of immediate loved ones and primal passion, but of the heroes and heroines — and myth-cycles — that have preceded us.
The Hero with a Thousand Faces
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This is one of these books that I would love to pretend to have read and enjoyed. Alas, pretending is not my forte. I would read this book only if I were forced to. Try the Christopher Vogler version instead.
Rating: 1 / 5
This is a good general introduction to the barest basics of mythography, recommended for jr. highschool students or adults wanting to get their feet wet before diving into actual texts and theory.
However, this book is no more than a New-Age philosophy manual – far closer to Deepak Chopra than the works of say, Roger Loomis.
This is best for Star Wars-headed armchair ‘mythologists’ i.e. hobbyists with no true inkling of what the research of cultural evolution is all about. If you’re looking for a quick fix to your ‘deeper’ questions about Star Trek and Hobbits, or a framework for your million-dollar Hollywood script project, this is for you!
If you are serious about mythograhy, however, you’d better get a serious grip on linguistics and begin tackling the extant texts in their original languages. Any other approach is a waste of time.
Rating: 1 / 5
A good book if you want to see how one might become mired in superstition in any of a dozen different cultures. Books like this stand in the way of human progress by summoning up excuses from the past that purport to ‘explain’ the trials of tribulations of our lives, rather than giving us true power to overcome our limitations.
This book worships inferority and patheticness. It left a horrible feeling in my stomach.
Rating: 1 / 5
I may be alone among many intellectuals who read a book like this merely for informational or intellectual purposes. I read this book as a study in the journey of the hero, to better arm myself in the art of storytelling as a writer. If you want a study of mythology and the psychoanalysis of its symbolism, this book is for you. But I personally found this book to be a somewhat veiled attempt at religious universalism. Trying somehow to unite the various myths and world religions under one singular philosophy.
As a practicing Christian myself, I find any idea of reducing my faith and the teachings of the scriptures to mere fable offesive. As I am sure any devotee of any other religion would as well. Having spent many years in deep study of the revelations in the Bible and spiritaul intimacy with the Lord, I know first hand that his interpretation of many symbols in scripture have a great deal of validity, but his understanding of the God of Christianity, as well as many of the professed followers of Jesus, are superficial at best. I would suggest to anyone who truly wants a better understanding of true biblical Christianity should read anything by Rick Joyner such as There Were Two Trees in the Garden and The Journey Begins. For myself these are much better at describing the true hero’s journey, as seen from a Chrisitian viewpoint.
Rating: 2 / 5
This is not a review about the book! I can’t find the correct format to comment on the Used Book Seller that I got my book from & I’d like to give you my feedback. I recently ordered the book from Lou Bruno and the service was excellent! I got an email confirming the order & with in 3 days the book arrived packed with great care & in excellent condition. Please feel free to use these comments, but not my name, if anyone has questions about this seller as a source. What a wonderful service you are providing!
Rating: 5 / 5