I acquired this book at the recommendation of a friend who is a counselor. I was struggling with an idea for a novel and having trouble with concepts and imagery. This book was my introduction to the life and work of Joseph Campbell. It is the transcript of a dialog between Campbell and Bill Moyers, filmed for a television special on Campbell's work, and is incredibly powerful.

Moyers takes Campbell on a trip back through Campbell's life - what caused him to become interested in Mythology, the areas he studied and some of the conclusions he reached. On brief, Moyers and Campbell touch on how mythology provides us a guide, even now, for how to behave in unfamiliar situations like death of a loved one or a young person facing their first major adult decisions. We see how myths resonate within every individual and find that many mythic themes cut across all cultures. We see various characters portrayed and begin to understand how they play a key part in our perceptions of the world around us.

We also find that what we view as myth often forms the basis for many modern religions, providing a basis or framework for coping with life and life situations gracefully. Campbell is careful to point out that Myth and Folklore are relatives, but assuredly not the same. Folklore is often based on mythic elements, but the Mythos goes back before the dawn of recorded History. As I said, incredibly powerful stuff.





Recommended: Yes