More uncovered treasures

More uncovered treasures in The Masks of God - Primitive Mythology Volume I - by the great Joseph Campbell and exquistely narrated by Arthur Morey. In Primitive Mythology he deals with the early human psyché - the primordial longings, fears, vanities and the innate hunger for meaning and truth – the nature of our internal cosmos. Ireland's mythological cycle and the associated places is discussed briefly among many other early myths from across our planet. Campbell also refererences his literary hero James Joyce as is his wont. The range and depth of material here is astounding in this enthralling book from the foremost 20th Century scholar of comparative world mythology. An ocean of knowlege is condensed into 19 hrs. Cambell deals with mythic patterns of narrative and also many accompanying rituals some of which are disdurbing and cruel. Again, he treats of his recurrent theory, ‘man’s one great story’, which we all know has many regional variations and local twists and turns. I have listened to other classics by Joseph Campbell such as The Mythic Dimension, Mythic Imagination, The Hero with a Thousand Faces, The Wisdom of Joseph Campbell and, like those, this is an audio book I will return to again to be instructed further each time by a brilliant thinker. One listen is never enough. Campell brings insights from the world of archeology, anthropology and psychology to inform and enhance his excavations down to the very roots of our collective concience and to reveal with clarity the universal function of mythology.

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6 people found this helpful

Holy Wow

The listener must be ready for the academic approach that necessitates multiple different statements that amount to the same thing, and to hear them again and again until they really understand the point being made in the first place. Really, again.

However, accepting the academic style and the resultant significant demand of attention it imposes on the listener, the depth of research and interpretation is astounding and well worth the listener's effort, it being nothing compared to that of the writer.

If you're interested in bonfires, witchery and sacrifice then this describes and explains what, where, when, how and why it was practised and, in parts, presumably is still continued.

For those interested in Jungian psychology and religion it is essential reading..

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