Myths to Live by by Joseph Campbell

Myths to Live by (Paladin Books) (Compass) (Condor Books)

by Joseph Campbell

"There is no one quite like Joseph Campbell. He knows the vast sweep of man's panoramic past as few men have evern known it." -The Village Voice

What is a properly functioning mythology and what are its functions? Can we use myths to help relieve our modern anxiety, or do they help foster it? In Myths to Live by, Joseph Campbell explores the enduring power of the universal myths that influence our lives daily and examines the myth-making process from the primitive past to the immediate present, retuning always to the source from which all mythology springs: the creative imagination.

Campbell stresses that the borders dividing the Earth have been shattered; that myths and religions have always followed the certain basic archetypes and are no longer exclusive to a single people, region, or religion. He shows how we must recognize their common denominators and allow this knowledge to be of use in fulfilling human potential everywhere.

Reviewed by bearley on

3 of 5 stars

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Had high expectations going into this book and they really weren’t met all the way. Some of the chapters fell short, but there were also some great takeaways from it.

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Reading updates

  • Started reading
  • 29 April, 2020: Finished reading
  • 29 April, 2020: Reviewed