Oriental Mythology (The Masks of God Book 2) Kindle Edition

Joseph Campbell was never considered on the cutting edge of scholarship. Popular in the late 1980's for his PBS special with Bill Moyers 'The Power of Myth', he's been criticized for his generalist appeal, and lack of a specialized approach. Ditching a PhD pursuit at Columbia U. in 1929, he spent five years during the Great Depression in a shack in Woodstock reading sixteen hours a day. Campbell was friends with John Steinbeck and Heinrich Zimmer, completing the latter's posthumous works on Indian art and philosophy. He lived in a Greenwich Village apartment with his wife for fifty years, teaching literature at a liberal arts college.Campbell's contributions were in the arenas of comparitive mythology and religion, and the idea that all myths are variations of the same story, 'the Hero's Journey'. He incorporated aspects of Freud and Jung into his understanding of the subconscious symbology within myths. His theory on the evolution of myth spanned primitive animal spirit worship, mother goddess cults, astrological priesthoods and modern romantic idealism. He saw Thomas Mann and James Joyce embodying the artist as makers of contemporary myth. His often repeated phrase 'follow your bliss' was meant to convey a connection with an inner spirit.The Masks of God is a lengthy exposition of Campbell's ideas on mythology and religion, from west to east. Primal beliefs in human sacrifice and reincarnation are superseded by the battle of good over evil and imperatives for heathen conversion. The western and masculine forces of Zoroastrianism and the Abrahamic religions are seen as subverting earlier eastern worship of feminine fertility. Ancient Egyptian and Hindu polytheism are swept away by monotheism and non-dualistic Hinduism. In the far east, Confucian moral philosophy and Taoist magic are challenged by Buddhism imported over Silk Road trade routes.Campbell's widely discursive style is sometimes entertaining, and otherwise trying. If you are familiar with the people and places he bounces between, it may be a stimulating montage of history and religion. If not, it will likely be disconcerting. Published in 1963, the research and sources are from the mid-20th century and earlier, and seem quite dated. Reading quotes from Mortimer Wheeler on archaeology, or Heinrich Zimmer on Indology are fun from a historical standpoint, but should be augmented with more recent interpretations. These shortcomings are partly mitigated by Campbell's keen perception and wit.

Was my professor this is for a book I lost

Campbell never disappoints. After a read your world suddenly becomes more understandable, more meaningful.

Historical study of mythology is interesting and informative not entertaining unless you are into ancient cultures and learning about the roots of religions.

It is a must-have book for all who is interested in history of art, religion, folklore.

Very good

A classic, of course.

interesting series. thought provoking. educational.

This is a truly excellent exploration of its subject. The clarity of exposition demonstrates Joseph Campbell's grasp of his subject. Illuminating.I have to add that it is truly a pity that this Kindle edition is plagued by numerous typo's that grate and irritate throughout. Sometimes the sense of a passage is lost. It really is time that the publishers paid more attention to their electronic editions. However, I really do not wish to take any stars away given the book's excellence.

Thoroughly researched and very informative and interesting.

Great

I've heard a lot of praises for this book and the concept.It indeed is a great read, BUT the Quality of the Paper doesn't seem so good. It is a bit better than a pirated copy that's it.taking the Quality of the Paper and the Print at some pages, this book is not worth the price. 600/- is too much for a paperback of this substandard quality

O estilo da escrita é um pouco prolixo, mas isso não tira o mérito do conteúdo, que é interessantíssimo. A versão para Kindle tem muitos erros de digitação, que, apesar de não impedir a leitura, trava um pouco a fluidez.