Myth: A Biography of Belief

by David A. Leeming

Book Overview

Joseph Campbell wrote that mythology is "the wonderful song of the soul's high adventure." In Myth, David Leeming considers the role this "wonderful song" has to play in a world increasingly dependent on scientific and technical information.
Exploring classic works such as the Song of Songs, the Tao Te Ching, the Rg Veda, the New Testament, and the Indonesian myth of Hainuwele, Myth reveals the cultural energies that ancient "mythmakers" sought...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0195142888
• ISBN13: 9780195142884
• Release Date: November 2001
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA
• Length: 192 Pages
• Weight: 0.65 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 5.1" x 6.8"

Customer Reviews

Good points, a true 'Biography of Belief'

A collection of 4 well-constructed and interesting essays about mythology and its relevance today.Leeming moves beyond the mire of fundamentalism-bashing (a fun pastime nonetheless), and tries to frame mythic symbols as they may be evolving and expressing themselves in the modern world.As a quick overview of mythology, this little book satisfies even the scholar, and as a delving into the rich study of myth this book satisfies even more.The strongest and most interesting part of Leeming's method is the dialogue he creates between 'believers' of different myths.For that alone makes this book great.