The Writers Journey: Mythic Structure for Writers, 2nd Edition

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At the beginning of The Writer's Journey, Christopher Vogler asserts that "all stories consist of a few common structural elements found universally in myths, fairy tales, dreams, and movies." Some may be hard-pressed to accept this idea (and will wonder how storytellers from Homer to Shakespeare to Robert Altman might respond to the proposition). Others may imagine that since Vogler uses movies like the Star Wars trilogy and The Lion King to defend his mythological philosophy, he is, unwittingly, listing the reasons why Hollywood films of the last 20 years have been so unimaginative. But there's no doubt that Vogler's notion, based on psychological writings by Carl Jung and the mythmaking philosophy of Joseph Campbell, has been profoundly influential. Many screenwriters have used Vogler's volume to understand why certain scenarios sell, and to discover a blueprint for creating mythic stories of their own.

Now in its second edition, The Writer's Journey sets forth archetypes common in what Vogler calls "the hero's journey," the mythic structure that he claims all stories follow. In the book's first section, he lists the different kinds of typological characters who appear in stories. In the second, he discusses the stages of the journey through which the hero generally passes. The final, supplementary portion of the book explains in detail how films like Titanic and The Full Monty follow the patterns he has outlined. --Raphael Shargel

Book Description

Provides new insights and observations from Vogler's pioneering work in mythic structure for writers.

Customer Reviews:

Insightful, engaging.......2007-10-17

Based on the premise that "All stories consist of a few common structural elements found universally in myths, fairy tales, dreams, and movies," the third edition of this ever evolving, useful work builds on concepts drawn from the writings of Carl G. Jung and the mythic studies of Joseph Campbell. Showing great passion and insight, Vogler digs deep into the very infrastructure of storytelling, revealing, as he states in his preface, a "beautiful design, a set of principles that govern the conduct of life and the world of storytelling the way physics and chemistry govern the physical world." More of an "A ha!" than a "how to" book, The Writer's Journey should provide anyone with any interest at all in reading or telling tales with many hours of pleasurable and informative reading. Recommended.

An incredible resource.......2007-10-17

I tend to focus more on writing nonfiction than fiction, but like so many people, I have a novel in my head waiting to come out. I'm also a huge fan of Jungian psychology and Joseph Campbell's work on mythology. So being able to find a storytelling guide that incorporates these qualities was a wonderful opportunity to fine-tune some of my thoughts.

I can see why this is in its third edition--this is a wonderfully complete guide to archetypes and motifs, and creating the mythology of a story. Rather than being prescriptive and listing requirements of what the writer *should* include in hir story, instead the author offers explanations of some of the archetypal roles and motifs and ideas of how they may be incorporated. The theory is illustrated by examples from well-known movies, such as "The Wizard of Oz" and "North by Northwest", among many others, taking these concepts and making them even more familiar.

The writing is easy to follow, too--rather than being a dry textbook, it's an inviting exploration of mythology in modern times. It's also quite functional, and I found myself brainstorming periodically as I was inspired by something I read.

Overall, I highly recommend this book to anyone looking to write a good, well-rounded story.

The essential writer's guide, bar none.......2007-10-16

Following common threads in everything from mythology to a slew of science fiction and fantasy, if there isn't a germ of an idea in your head after reading how to structure great tales, you're just not trying.

You can put a shine to your written work with WRITERS JOURNEY; I know that it is my secret weapon for all future projects and pitches. As nice a reminder of HOW to build mythos and it is a guide for those that have worked.

Probably a textbook in use somewhere and hopefully getting the applause that it mind-blowingly deserves.

Although written with film in mind, a comic book creator's perfect reference to making it cinematically perfect.

Just outstanding!

Change the Way You Read , Watch, and Listen.......2007-10-16

This book is amazing! Loving to read and loving to write have always been a part of who I am. But reading this book, The Writer's Journey by Christopher Vogler totally revolutionized the way I see a story. When you read enough literature you begin to presuppose certain themes and plot twists. As a colleague of mine says, "You begin to read like a writer..."

If you want to read like a writer this book is for you. Christopher Vogler takes the track that all stories fall into the realm of myth. We tell story in order to make sense of life and to move ourselves through life in a sensible and reflective way. Vogler tells us that all stories take on cerain mythic structures. And when authors use these mythic structure effectively it creates a story that really resonates within us.

Vogler's work relies heavily on the research and theory of Joseph Campbell a mythologist whom he met at USC. Campbell's work with myths and archetypes in myths totally reshaped Vogler view of stories. Throughout the course of this book Vogler takes us step by step through the structures and devices that make stories truly great. We meet basic archetypes or characters such as: Heroes, Mentors, Heralds, Shadows, and Tricksters.
We also encounter many facets and turning points found in every good story such as: Ordinary World, Call to Adventure, Meeting the Mentor, Approaching the Inmost Cave and many others.

Reading this book will cause you to view movies, read books, and hear any story in a whole new way. I read this book wanting some direction as a writer. But found it changed my whole mindset when it comes to literature. I now, never read a book or watch a movie without looking for these mythic structures.

The most powerful impact this book had on me was as a teacher. This book was written for college and graduate students. But I found I could incorporate elements of it into my work with second graders. The ideas in this book ring true for all readers... no matter how young or old. My students loved to discuss fairy tales and learn about how the mythic structures in ,The Writer's Journey fit into them. They relished the opportunity to apply these ideas to their own writing.

This book is well researched, easy to read, and exciting to encounter. I highly recommend it to any one who loves a good story!

a good intro to mythic structure.......2007-10-16

On a whim I chose this book with the hope of improving my writing skills. I also wanted to learn more about structure in story telling. I can't say whether or not this book has improved my writing, but it has given me a very good understanding of mythic structure. Christopher Vogler uses numerous examples from a wide range of films to illustrate different concepts regarding story telling. As someone who is knew to this sort of writers guide, I can't compare to other books. However, The Writer's Journey was a good starting point for me and is a book that I would recommend to someone who is interested in creative writing.

History: Fiction or Science? (Chronology, No. 1)

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Calculations are only as good as your numbers
Pants on fire?
Accepted History & Chronology Must Be Changed.
Very Interesting
History as Science Fiction

History: Fiction or Science? (Chronology, No. 1)
Anatoly Fomenko
Manufacturer: Mithec
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 2913621058

Book Description

Recorded history is a finely-woven magic fabric of intricate lies about events predating the sixteenth century. There is not a single piece of evidence that can be reliably and independently traced back earlier than the eleventh century. This book details events that are substantiated by hard facts and logic, and validated by new astronomical research and statistical analysis of ancient sources.

Customer Reviews:

Calculations are only as good as your numbers.......2007-08-03

Yes, we can all agree that mainstream history is nearly 100% BS due to politics, economics, ego, problems with dating techniques, and various conspiracies. Agreed. But, I've been researching the distinct possibility that human history (in terms of civilizations) are much more ancient than we've been told, so coming across this book was very interesting to me. I wondered how Fomenko could be wrong (if at all) because he is very persuasive in his presentations. Then it dawned on me. If at previous times in prehistory, due to the various catastrophies that are well documented (comets, asteroids, planetary disruptions, plasma discharge, pole reversals, etc) the Earth was in a different position in relation to the sun, different tilt on its axis, different orbit, different rotation (in terms of velocity and DIRECTION), and the continents were in different positions, then would this not cause the ancients to see the sky (constellations) differently? In other words, is Fomenko making erronious assumptions about the physics of the Earth in pre-history, which then corrupt his data with regards to dating the relevant astrology? The last event to seriously disrupt our planet occured roughly 3500 years ago, according to other good researchers, so is it possible Fomenko has been confused by this? The vastly different physics of our planet in the not so distant past may explain this confusion, which is not to say the "mainstream" version of history is correct; on the contrary. I am not an expert in these fields, but wanted to see if this idea could spark discussion.

Pants on fire?.......2007-07-19

Will people ever read before spamming? Yes, Jesuits could not rewrite world history alone, they had help. Anyway, Dr Prof Acad A.Fomenko does not point to jesuits as the driving force of world wide history manipulation in published volumes 1,2,3;, actually he barely mentions the poor devils. Check it with 'Search inside' feature, please. China is rarely mentioned either, in fact, Dr Fomenko is completely eurocentric. Right, his theory contradicts all mainstream schools of history, because in their actual state they are all built on blatantly erroneus chronology. You don't need a mysterious cabal (conspiracy) to falsify history, the falsification is its modus operandi. It is inherent to history(ians) to falsify (distort) events, as it is inherent to humans to boast as it is inherent to power (authority) to legimize itself by referrring to glorious past made to its own order. Dr Prof Fomenko and team have identified scores of instances of such manipulation in Russian, European, etc.. history, and delivered valid statistical proof thereof. His own 'reconstruction' is completely another story. Forget c14 as a valid method of dating. W.Libby has initially discovered a brilliant method of INDEPENDENT dating. Too bad, c14 method has become a joke after a forced marrige with dendrochronology with consensual chronological scale inbuilt. Radiocarbon method can't stand blind tests, but is so very productive as a rubberstamp.

Accepted History & Chronology Must Be Changed. .......2007-04-09

There is no doubt that history as most know it is a sham, & institution's version of History both University & Church is fradulent & inaccurate. Everything was established with an agenda, The real "Dark Ages" are now when we have access to incredible amounts of information past authorities & more important 'common folk' didn't have but our institutions & educators are slow to evolve because of what has ignorantly & arrogantly been taught for too long. This is on many subjects not just Chronology.

For anyone to question "Why would a Mathematician have anything credible to say of History?" The answer is from Dr. Fomenko's preface in the book: "It would be worthwhile to remind the reader that in the XVI-XVII century Chronology was considered to be a subdivision of Mathematics." These volumes could possibly be some of the most important works to date & should be read by everyone with an interest in History, especially professors & educators who have a duty to the public. I have read both books & must say that 'Chronology 1' has some very eye opening & revolutionary information. Even if these volumes are part true the implications are profound & opens the doors to further investigations & questions which must be done. I speak several different lanquages & must say the logic Dr. Fomenko uses with "inflection" of words & words being read from left to right in one region & right to left in another then written backwards, the removal of vowels & get down to basics of words, or different cities & locations having the same name etc. is correct. Vowel usage has always been optional & varied, actually complicating linquistics & study. The first thing one has to understand is that words never had a fixed spelling in history like we do now, the spelling of words was mutable & regional, as well as names & titles of people were vast, varied & changed, NOTHING WAS FIXED or understood linear. Matters of Life & Death as well as financial profiteering yesterday & today were & are made with ignorant, illogical & conspiratorial views of history & reality, it's time people get closer to the Truth & society collectively grow up.

Very Interesting.......2007-03-07

It is a good proposal and I believe it will mature into something even better in the future. I think it deserves to be read.

History as Science Fiction.......2007-01-10

Anatoly Fomenko has written a very intriguing book, full of pictures, charts, and computer 'proof' of his thesis: backwards of AD900 we don't really know what happened or when. Between AD900 and AD1600 there is more certainty, but there is still a lot of fuzzy ground, and things don't get reliable until we get past the 1600's where the printing press made it very difficult for the perpetrators of this timeline manipulation to change anything that had been committed to print. The Dark Ages did not happen. Books were burned for a reason. One organization has doubled the actual length of its existence by expanding the real chronology. Read why.

I had always wondered why Christ died about AD33 and yet men waited until the 11th century to form the Knights Templar, the Cathars, etc and go after the Holy Land by force. Why the 1000 year gap? Turns out there wasn't more than a 10-12 year gap and he proves it using astronomy. This also implies that the planet is not as old as we have been told, and current Christian and other creationist scientists are already championing that idea without being aware of Fomenko's book. The two groups, creationist scientists and the Russian mathematical analysts corroborate each other. Fascinating.

Of course, all this flies in the face of what we have been told traditionally is the 'proper' chronology of western civilization, and most readers will experience 'cognitive dissonance' in reading this book. It means that our history going backwards from AD1600 becomes progressively more incorrect and unreliable until it cannot be trusted at all... in the space of 700-800 years.

Naturally, the curious, open-minded reader will want to know WHO did this, WHY, and did any of the events we think of as really ancient ever happen?
Dr. Fomenko is a respected scientist/mathematician at Moscow State University who has already answered these questions to the satisfaction of his initially skeptical colleagues. Most of them are now believers, a few still refuse to believe (the usual diehards), and of course the western press has ignored Fomenko's work -- for obvious reasons when you read the book. The ones who perpetrated this chronology ruse have a lot to answer for. They are still with us. That's why this book is a well-kept secret.

I gave the book a 4-star rating because I was unable to check out some of his claims; those I checked were as he said. But if even 1/3 of his claims are true, this punches a big hole in what we think is our history, the meaning of western civilization, our educational process (for repeating the ruse as gospel), and the trustworthiness of the organization that perpetrated this ruse, well-intentioned or not.

This book relates to current research into a Young Earth paradigm, to John Keel's discoveries about our planet, and Fr Malachi Martin's insights (in his now out-of-print books). We are indeed sheep who are manipulated and kept ignorant -- for a reason. While knowing what these men have to say may be the "booby prize" (as in: 'what can you do with this knowledge?'), it will provide interesting reading. Didn't someone say: "...and the Truth will set you free."?? For you to judge if this book contains the truth.

Mythology: Timeless Tales of Gods and Heroes

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not my type
Well known telling of major "tales of gods and heroes"
If you like greek mythology then buy this book
A good introduction
not bad for required reading

Mythology: Timeless Tales of Gods and Heroes
Edith Hamilton
Manufacturer: Grand Central Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

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ASIN: 0446607258

Customer Reviews:

not my type.......2007-10-09

I thought this book was so boring. I had to force myself to read it. I had to read it for school, i had to end up finding the summary so i wouldn't have to read the rest.I know that its considered a classic, i guess this was seriously not my type of book. I give it 2 stars because it could have been worst.

Well known telling of major "tales of gods and heroes".......2007-08-19

This is a long standing work on mythology. The emphasis is on Greek and Roman tales, with a too brief discussion of Norse mythology. That some of the other reviewers mention it in the same breath as Bulfinch is testimony to the volume's value.

The work features a nice introductory essay to "set up" the discussion of Greek and Roman myths. There is also a rather unsatisfying brief introduction to the underdeveloped section on Norse mythology.

The first part features "The Gods, the Creation, and the Earliest Heroes." Here, Hamilton examines the array of gods, the stories of creation, and early heroes (such as Prometheus, Europa, and Polyphemus [hero??]). Part Two explores "Stories of Love and Adventure." In this segment, Hamilton considers Cupid and Psyche, and a series of tales of love (e.g., Pyramus and Thisbe, Orpheus and Eurydice, and so on). Also, the story of the Golden Fleece is retold.

Part Three summarizes "The Great Heroes before the Trojan War," including renderings of Perseus, Theseus, and the great Hercules. Part Four, as one might have anticipated, looks at "The Heroes of the Trojan War." Hamilton spends time on a number of figures and stories, such as Paris, the fall of Troy, Odysseus' post-Troy adventures, and the travails of Aeneas.

Part Five considers "Great Families of Mythology," such as the Houses of Atreus (think Agamemnon and Iphigenia), Thebes (Cadmus, Oedipus, Antigone), and Athens. Hamilton then moves to Part Six, where she summarizes the stories of "The Less Important Myths," including Midas, Glaucus and Scylla, inter alia.

Part Seven, as already noted, is a too brief coverage of "The Mythology of the Norsemen."

And, finally, a wonderfully helpful genealogy at the end (e.g., Ancestors of Perseus and Hercules, the House of Troy, and so on).

This is well written and shows considerable erudition. There are some problems in coverage as noted, but, in the end, this is still a welcome volume.

If you like greek mythology then buy this book.......2007-08-16

I read this book of my own free will. this book is quite amazing,the detail and research she puts in is astounding. i am the kind of person to always take notes on the books i read and the extensive index she has is incredibly useful.
some people that have read this say its dry and boring, i read a lot of books and from my experience there are a lot dryer authors, and to really be a book of information, you can't expect it to be the most attention grabbing book of all time.
any way, if greek mythology is an interest of yours you will love this book.

A good introduction.......2007-06-26

I first read this book in sixth grade, and instantly fell in love with it. I loved the concept of mythology and loved how the book was written. I didn't find the boring aspects everyone else seemed to find. I devoured the book whole, and now, years later, I bought it. I was curious to see if the magic would hit me twice.

It did, in a sense. I vaguely remembered the stories, so the aspect of surprise and shock in some of the stories was ruined for me. Granted, when I first read it I was very young, but there were still some things that were more enjoyable to read the first time. Since then, I've moved onto other classic mythology books, and have found them to be very enjoyable too.

It is true, yes, that Edith Hamilton writes well, but overall the book is dry. It is true that this is a mere introduction and does not present us with every tale in the history of various mythologies (the Norse mythology section is pitifully short - I'd turn elsewhere for that). Overall, though, it's an enjoyable introduction, an easy read (if you can deal with the dryness), and an overall good book. It's convenient on the shelf and can serve you for many years to come.

A pretty good buy, but more serious readers should head towards more serious books, even if they'll be more difficult to read.

not bad for required reading.......2006-08-13

I had to read this book for humanities 9 in high school and its really good, especially for a required reading. The way the story is explained is excelled and easy to follow, except that i am horroble with names, especially forign ones so of course i had troube following, but if you can catch on to the names, you will have an enjoyable read

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The Odyssey (Puffin Classics)
The Odyssey puffin classics
The Odyssey review
One eyed monsters- Oh My!
This isn't The Odyssey

The Odyssey (Puffin Classics)
Homer , and Geraldine McCaughrean
Manufacturer: Puffin
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0140383093

Book Description

Odysseus turned his eyes from the still-smoking ruins of Troy and thought of home. But the journey would be long to the three-island kingdom of Ithaca, and there would be many dangers to overcome--the Lotus-eaters and the cloying nectar of their deadly fruit; the hungry one-eyed giant
Polyphemus; the stormy wrath of the vengeful sea-god Poseidon; Circe, the beautiful sorceress who turned men into pigs; the terrors of the whirlpool Charybdis and the six-headed sea monster, Scylla; and the descent to the kingdom of Hades, god of the dead--until bright morning he arrived back, alone
and exhausted, to face the hundred fierce suitors of his faithful wife, Penelope.
In this retelling, Geraldine McCaughrean's lively and original style is complemented by Victor Ambrus's brilliant recreations of the ancient world and its monsters and gods. Young people will enjoy the fast-paced and contemporary text, gain an introduction to Homer's classic story, and gain a
foundation for further studies in history and literature that will serve them well into their adult lives.

Customer Reviews:

The Odyssey (Puffin Classics).......2007-05-15

Exactly as promised! Arrived in a timely manner, as well

The Odyssey puffin classics.......2007-01-13

The book was requested for my son who is in high school. It was an assignment for his english class. The shipping cost almost as much as the book. The book was easy reading and detailed the classic so that he understood the story.

The Odyssey review.......2006-08-22

this book was for a 11year old girl who was doing a school summer project. She loved the book, the simplicity of the story and had her project completed in two days

One eyed monsters- Oh My!.......2006-07-27

My daughter is 5 and will be in Kindergarten this fall. (she turns 6 this November) and she loves this tale. We read almost a full chapter, some are very long for a five year old, every night. The next day, oh yes, I am mean Cyclops, a Lotus Eater, etc. and she is brave Odysseus.(who is part super hero as she ties a towel around her neck! Since she is five and we are Christians I didn't tell her they were "gods" as it would take way more explanation than her dad and I wanted to get into. She first saw a picture of Posieden and thought he was a monster so we went with that. When she's older, we'll get into the Greek god mythology. I do change some of the wording, but not much, as it can get tedious for one so young. Highly recommend it.

This isn't The Odyssey.......2006-03-22

This is a rewritten version of The Odyssey aimed at kids, not the orginal version written by Homer. Don't buy this unless you want the version written for 10 year olds.

The Babylonian Gilgamesh Epic: Introduction, Critical Edition and Cuneiform Texts 2 Volumes

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The REAL Gilgamesh Epic

The Babylonian Gilgamesh Epic: Introduction, Critical Edition and Cuneiform Texts 2 Volumes
A. R. George
Manufacturer: Oxford University Press, USA
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0198149220

Book Description

The Babylonian Gilgamesh epic is the acknowledged masterpiece of ancient Mesopotamian literature. Nevertheless it has to be re-edited periodically to take account of the enormous increase in primary sources that occurs every generation. Since the last critical edition of the epic seventy years ago the known fragments of the epic have almost doubled. This book collects all the extant texts in one place again, including twenty-three fragments published for the first time. The author has studied personally every available fragment to produce a definitive edition and translation. Four introductory chapters place the epic in its context and examine the name, person and traditions of Gilgamesh and other characters in the poem. The plates present the cuneiform text of all the extant fragments of the epic. The result is a publication which is a standard academic resource.

Customer Reviews:

The REAL Gilgamesh Epic.......2007-01-03

The best edition available. Not cheap, but worth the
price for those interested in the original.

Average customer rating:

Excellent source
thru a distant lens

Classical Mythology
Mark P. O. Morford , and Robert J. Lenardon
Manufacturer: Oxford University Press, USA
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0195308050

Book Description

Building on the best-selling tradition of previous editions, Classical Mythology, Eighth Edition, is the most comprehensive survey of classical mythology available in one volume. Featuring the authors' clear and extensive translations of original sources, it brings to life the myths and legends of Greece and Rome in a lucid and engaging style. The text contains a wide variety of faithfully translated passages from Greek and Latin sources, including Homer, Hesiod, all the Homeric Hymns, Pindar, Aeschylus, Sophocles, Euripides, Herodotus, Plato, Lucian, Lucretius, Vergil, Ovid, and Seneca. The authors incorporate a dynamic combination of poetic narratives and enlightening commentary to make the myths come alive for students. Offering historical and cultural background on the myths--including evidence from art and archaeology--they also provide ample interpretative material and examine the enduring survival of classical mythology and its influence in the fields of art, literature, music, dance, and film. Classical Mythology, Eighth Edition, enables students to explore the fascinating nature of Greek and Roman gods, goddesses, heroes, and heroines, and to appreciate the most significant ancient sources of classical myths and legends. The book is beautifully enhanced by 22 color plates and 160 black and white illustrations with lucid explanatory captions, as well as maps, a glossary, a companion website, and an instructor's manual. Classical Mythology, Eighth Edition, has been updated and revised to reflect recent scholarship, featuring: * The most recent results of excavations at Troy and Orestes * Expanded discussions of Asclepius, Antigone, and Orestes * Many new text boxes including those on Homer, Hesiod, and the worship of Artemis at Brauron * A new chapter (25) on Ovid's treatment of classical mythology * Incorporation of local legends--for example, the myth of Bellerophon--in relevant myths and sagas (these legends, located in the former Chapter 25 in the previous edition, have now been distributed throughout the book where they best fit) * An improved art program, with new images, better-quality reproductions, and improved maps * Numbering of lines for all translations, for easy reference * Improved indexes and updated bibliographies * An improved and updated companion website, including images and maps * An instructor's manual and test bank (available for the first time)

Customer Reviews:

Excellent source.......2007-01-18

This book is the standard text for several of the Classical Mythology sections at my college. It is an excellent source for both basic and detailed information on Classical myths. Primary texts are quoted, and all parts of the book are easy to read. There is a select bibliography for each chapter. Has a glossary of words that may not be familiar to reader, as well as a glossary/index of all the gods and goddesses with a short summary of who they are at the back of the book for quick reference. Some color picture sections, as well as black and white pictures throughout. Highly recommended as a reference if you are unable to take a class on the subject.

thru a distant lens.......2006-08-25

This well honed 8th edition is an entrancing and beautiful description of the mythology of ancient Greece and Rome. The emphasis is Greece, naturally, since the Romans based so much of their beliefs on the Greeks. No prior knowledge of the subject is assumed. But the book is not some simple entry level exposition, like some freshman texts.

Instead, Morford goes into a fair amount of detail about what we know. He refers and quotes liberally from surviving manuscripts. So that, even though these are given in English, we get some flavour of looking thru a distant lens at how others saw their gods. Plus, he has kept up with the latest archeological discoveries and their interpretations. Reminding the reader that our knowledge of those times is still incomplete and changing.

The many photos and illustrations also help in giving flesh to the text. Some are of the European perceptions from the Middle Ages and Renaissance. Several colour plates are quite lovely. We are looking at the subject through at least two viewpoints. Ours and those.

Average customer rating:

Classical Myth, Fourth Edition
No longer useful
Doesnt deal with myths' deeper historical origins
Great Composition
Good Place to Start

Classical Myth, Fourth Edition
Barry B. Powell
Manufacturer: Prentice Hall
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0131825909

Book Description

Comprehensive and scholarly, this well-designed book presents Greek and Roman myths in a lively and easy-to-read manner. It features fresh translations, numerous illustrations (ancient and modern) of classical myths and legends, and commentary that emphasizes the anthropological, historical, religious, sociological, and economic contexts in which the myths were told. This book covers myths of creation, myths of fertility, myths of the Olympians, Heracles, Oedipus, Trojan War, Roman Myth, Odysseus, and more. It also introduces students to classic literary works by Homer, Hesiod, Aeschylus, Sophocles, Euripides, and Ovid. For anyone interested in learning more about the creation and modern interpretation of classical myths.

Customer Reviews:

Classical Myth, Fourth Edition.......2006-11-10

Excellent text. Covers the classical gods and heros, primarily of the Greeks, with a appreciable amount of depth and scope. The text also includes a rather large quantity of primary source information, great for a more complete view of the myth. A little pricey for what is essentially a paperback book due to several sections of colored pictures. On the upside, they are nice pictures.

No longer useful.......2006-03-05

I have taught mythology at the university level at various insitutions for the more than a decade now. Indeed, when I first began was when the first edition of Powell came out. At that time it was quite useful as his prose is modestly engaging, and the large swathes of original material and the occasional illustrations he includes is quite useful.

However, as he has progressed through four editions and doubled his price (!), he has become less useful. To his credit, the online materials are good for the novice, and, as I previously mentioned, there is a fair amount of translated primary text. However, his deficits now outweigh his benefits. When Powell summarizes plots of texts in the middle of a longer excerpt, often his interpretation of events occludes what actually happens. As he has progressed through various editions, his own ideas are now more confident in his eyes and some of his more controvertial claims which in the first edition were presented as "some scholars believe [historical situation] may have contributed to [textual effect]" are now presented as "[historical situation] caused [textual effect]." As another reader notes, some of his historical contextualizations are either suspect or absent. Lastly, the cost is prohibitive.

Now that I have learned a fifth edition is soon to be out and my students will no longer be able to purchase used copies, I have declined to order his book for this fall and don't foresee returning to him in the future.

Doesnt deal with myths' deeper historical origins.......2005-03-03

I can only say, not being a classicist, but one who did study under the esteemed Prof. Edward O'Neil of Univ. of Southern California, that I find it curious that this author does not deal much with the theories of migrations (Achaeans, Dorians later) into Greece that explain origins and approximate dates of certain myths. For example the inclusion of chthonic deities/mother earth deities being early myths of Minoan influences, the patriarchal - sky-god myths relating to Achaeans and their influence by migration on the Greek mainland. I find H.J. Rose better at this for sure, as is O'Neil's work on Library of Apollodorus. Man, Myth and Monument,is also an excellent guide for anyone who wants to follow this fascinating aspect of myth.

Great Composition.......2004-11-08

Powell has done it again in his fourth edition. Though there are minor changes whcih he made in the newest edition, this book offers great details about ancient gods and heroes - putting the reader's mind into the ancient mythical land. The books also has actual passages from various ancient writers and also included more background stories to help the readers understand the story in a better perspective. His writing is simple and honest. Its worth your money if you are an avid mythology reader.

Good Place to Start.......2001-05-10

While this book is a good place to start, Powell leaves the impression that myth was developed in an orderly and defined manner. Often, the versions alluded to and used are entirely mainstream and completely neglect other, sometimes more interesting versions. Would certainly like to see more emphasis placed on naming sources in the footnotes to facilitate further research by students. Certainly a good textbook to begin introducing myth with, but to provide an adequate, college level course requires supplementation with many other texts and lengthy discussions on how the text is just one author's interpretation.

The Wrath of Mulgarath (The Spiderwick Chronicles, Book 5)

Average customer rating:

Excellent book
The Wrath of Mulgareth(Spiderwick Chronicles #5
SpideWick Book Review
not about spiders
My son loves this book

The Wrath of Mulgarath (The Spiderwick Chronicles, Book 5)
Holly Black
Manufacturer: Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0689859406
Release Date: 2004-09-07

Amazon.com

Holly Black and Tony DiTerlizzi pull off an impressive five for five with Wrath of Mulgarath, the satisfyingly dramatic conclusion to their series, The Spiderwick Chronicles. After the gory conclusion of the The Ironwood Tree, we don't get even a moment's reprieve before the action picks up again, in a starting chapter entitled, fittingly, "IN WHICH the World Is Turned Upside Down." Thirteen-year-old Mallory and nine-year-old twins Jared and Simon return to the Spiderwick Estate only to find their home in shambles, with trash and broken furniture scattered across the lawn and Simon's griffin chasing a "goblin" across the roof. The faerie world that the Grace kids have so slowly probed in this series has finally come home to roost. Black and DiTerlizzi pack a lot into the finale of this beautifully produced series, with dragons and goblins and elves--and even a magical cameo by Arthur Spiderwick (the long-lost author of the disappearing-reappearing Field Guide to the Fantastical World Around You). We get a dramatic rescue, a clever end to a fearsome foe (with some thanks to Hogsqueal from book two), and a long denouement that leads to a final cryptic note from the author and illustrator: "Are there more ogres / and dragons to slay? / Is there more mayhem, / perhaps, on the way? / Ask Tony and Holly. / They'll swear that it's true. / But you still won't believe / what's coming for you!" (Ages 6 to 10) --Paul Hughes

Book Description

Three ordinary kids, Jared, Simon, and Wallory Grace, have entered another world -- without leaving this one! Two remarkable talents, New York Times best-sellers Tony DiTerlizzi and Holly Black, have risked everything to bring this remarkable account to light. Five books -- one thrilling adventure -- the Spiderwick Chronicles!

Their world is closer than you think.

Customer Reviews:

Excellent book.......2007-09-29

My son loves the series of this book and was so glad to hear it came out with a new one. I bought it for his birthday and he actually loved getting this book as a gift.

The Wrath of Mulgareth(Spiderwick Chronicles #5.......2007-08-10

I think the ending to this book was very good. I love the entire series and I'm looking forward to seeing the movie when it comes out next year.

SpideWick Book Review.......2007-04-17

Spiderwick Book
By: Tony DiTerlizzi

This book is called Spiderwick. It is about a single mom raising twin boys and a daughter. They have just moved into their new house on the edge of the forest. They start to encounter weird and strange things in the house, such as fairies, goblins, and horrible creatures.
They find a secret attic that has strange items, and they find a fairy. He helps them on there journeys and explains what they are encountering.
Eventually the twins get kidnapped so there sister goes out and tries to find them. But will she succeed? It is a great book for kids in about fourth to fifth grade. If you like surprise, adventure and suspense than read Spiderwick and find out if the brothers get saved or experience their worst nightmare.
I like this book because every time you think that everything is ok something bad happens and it keeps you thinking. I also like it because of the reaction of the characters when something strange happens. I know I like this book and you will too.

[...]

not about spiders.......2007-03-13

3 Kids save the Day
This is a book review on the book of Spiderwick The Wrath of Mulgarath, by Holly Black and Tony DiTerlizzi. The story mostly takes place in the town of Spiderwick Estates.
Mom Dad We Are Home!
"Mom dad we are home" is what the main characters said in my book when they got home from school. But there was no answer. Then they ran upstairs, and saw that the place was trashed. And all they found was a little rhyming guy on the table, his name was Hogsqueal. And Hogsqeal told them their parents had been taken by the goblin army of Mulgarath. Then they go to the junk yard where Mulgarath's lair is. And fight for their mom and dad to be free. On the way they fight tons of goblins.
Favorite Book
I loved this book! It was really action packed. I think it is a great book for boys, maybe girls too. I loved this book because you can learn lots of lessons. For example, always go for what you want. And the kids don't care if something seems impossible, they will just do the best they can. They are not scared if it looks like they don't stand a chance against goblins, the will either figure out how to beat them or get out of it. Another thing I like was that when the authors put the pictures on the side, I felt like I was in the book with them.
Lost Someone
I can really relate to the characters in my book because they only lost their parents and found them but I lost my great uncle Lloyd for ever. So if you feel like you have ever lost someone go to the nearest bookshelf and read it.
Read It
If you like to travel to different imaginary places, would be a great book for you

My son loves this book.......2007-02-17

This book is part of a set that I purchased for my son. He read it in one sitting so I know he enjoyed it. The illustrations are fun.

Average customer rating:

A study of the nature of language
Tilting at Windmills
Linguistic Myth-Busters
Interesting for curious speakers
Most Essential

Language Myths

Manufacturer: Penguin (Non-Classics)
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0140260234

Book Description

From accents to politics, this fascinating collection of essays from today's leading linguists uncovers the many misconceptions we hold about language

"The media are ruining English"; "Some languages are harder than others"; "Children can't speak or write properly anymore." Such pieces of "cultural wisdom" are often expressed in newspapers and on radio and television. Rarely is there a response from experts in the fields of language and language development. In this book Laurie Bauer and Peter Trudgill have invited nineteen respected linguists from all over the world to address these "language myths"--showing that they vary from the misconceived to the downright wrong. With essays ranging from "Women Talk Too Much" and "In the Appalachians They Speak Like Shakespeare" to "Italian Is Beautiful, German Is Ugly" and "They Speak Really Bad English Down South and in New York City," Language Myths is a collection that is wide-ranging, entertaining, and authoritative.

Customer Reviews:

A study of the nature of language.......2007-02-02

Readers interested in linguistics will learn that language change can't be prevented because it is a self-regulating system which takes care of itself. All languages are capable of vocabulary expansion to deal with new areas of life their speakers need to talk about. The media, often wrongly accused of ruining a language, are actually linguistic mirrors: they reflect current language usage and extend it. Languages cannot posses good or bad qualities because no language system can ever be shown to be clearer or more logical or more beautiful or ugly than any other language system.
What about the speakers of a language? Despite the widespread belief that women talk more than men, most of the available evidence suggests just the opposite. If you want to learn a foreign language, rest assured that there are no easy or difficult languages. In fact it is not even possible to perform overall measurements of the complexity of a language. Since all human languages allow the precise communication of complex messages they all require a grammatical system. Double negatives may sound appalling in English yet they exist in many other languages. It is therefore not appropriate to think in terms of logic when looking at language use.
An accent is like a map which listeners perceive through their ears and it gives them information about where a speaker was born, what age they are, what gender, what level of education they have, how much they might weigh and whether they feel well or ill at the moment of speaking. And finally readers may be surprised to learn that in many ways - mainly lexical - American English is more conservative than British English.

Tilting at Windmills.......2007-01-30

I found this book to be a great disappointment. Don't get me wrong - there's nothing I find healthier than a little myth-debunking. So I was predisposed to like this collection of 21 essays, edited by Bauer and Trudgill.

Each chapter takes a particular 'language myth' and then argues against the validity of the myth, some more convincingly than others. (Having tried to learn both Russian and Spanish as foreign languages, I think it's fair to say that the statement "Some languages are harder than others" is not a myth). The quality of the contributions is somewhat variable, though most are quite readable. This accessibility to readers who may not necessarily have any formal exposure to linguistics is the book's main strength, in my view.

The reason for my disappointment is that, for almost half the chapters, I found the stated myth to be a straw man, which made those chapters not particularly interesting to read. There were two common problems - in some cases, the wording of the myth was so non-specific as to be meaningless, another common flaw was that the myth was worded in a very extreme fashion, essentially presenting a straw man for the author to demolish.

For instance, myth 1 "The meanings of words should not be allowed to vary or change" is couched in such absolute terms that anyone expressing even slight disagreement is automatically made to seem unreasonable. Or take the example "bad grammar is slovenly". The author appears to interpret "bad" grammar to mean anything that deviates, even slightly, from some highly codified set of rules. The acknowledgement that one can communicate clearly, without ambiguity, without sticking to the letter of the law each and every time, is hardly startling, That said, there are some deviations from the rules which are not helpful, because they induce an avoidable ambiguity. This type of bad grammar is indeed slovenly. By arguing against a strawman of questionable relevance, an opportunity is lost to explore the question in a more nuanced fashion.

Other allegedly widespread myths whose prevalence I found questionable were "Some languages are just not good enough" (what does this even mean?), "French is a logical language", "Women talk too much" (are these people serious?), "Some languages have no grammar" (does anyone over the age of 10 seriously believe this for an instant?), "You shouldn't say 'It is me'" (why single out this particular example?), "Everyone has an accent except me", "They speak really bad English down South and in New York City", "In the Appalachians they speak like Shakespeare" (even if one tries to take this seriously, the inevitable question rises unbidden: "how would anyone know?")

I might have liked the book better if it had eschewed the "mythbusting" device, the effect of which was to polarize arguments unnecessarily, and instead had just explored the questions raised in a less artificially polemic manner.

Linguistic Myth-Busters.......2006-10-25

LANGUAGE MYTHS is a collection of twenty-one essays written by noted modern linguists. Each one takes a "myth" -- something accepted as true by a large number of people -- and debunks that falsehood in the course of their argument. It's a simple enough idea for an anthology, but it works very well. There are many misconceptions about language in general and English in particular, so there is a lot of material for the authors to work with.

This book actually covers quite a lot of ground. To give you an idea, here are some of the essay titles (corresponding to the myths in need of debunking): "The Media are Ruining English", "Women Talk Too Much", "Italian is Beautiful, German is Ugly", "You Shouldn't Say 'It is Me' because 'Me' is Accusative" and "In The Appalachians They Speak Like Shakespeare." There's a lot of variety, from the particulars of English grammar to comparisons of individual languages to how languages are currently evolving.

I really enjoyed the essays of this book. And I liked the fact that I spent a fair amount of time mentally nodding along with it, reading arguments about things that I had instinctively felt were right without having spent the mental energy required to actually wonder why I thought that way. For example, I really dug the reasoning in the "Double Negatives Are Illogical" essay. The assertion that something like "ain't no pandas in that room" would be negated because the (contracted) "not" and the "no" canceled out each other never sat right with me. So I was very open and appreciative of the author's argument.

Conversely, there were plenty of myths that I had unconsciously bought into without having spent sufficient time thinking about. It was fascinating to see the linguists presenting the opposing side.

So, I found this book a nice split between augmenting my own ideas about language and pulling down the walls around some of my own poor assumptions. The one constant in both is that I was forced to more fully elaborate on my own thoughts. Even in cases where I didn't agree with the final conclusion, I at the very least was presented with a logical, well-argued discussion. And for this reason alone, I highly recommend this book, as having one's thoughts challenged in a calm, rational discussion is always a good idea.

Interesting for curious speakers.......2005-09-02

The book consists of a series of essays that address many common myths about languages, such as "Some languages are just harder than others", "Double negatives are illogical", "Everyone has an accent except me" and many others.
All of them are written by world renowned linguists using easy to understand explanations. I highly recommend this book for anyone interested in languages.

Most Essential.......2004-11-07

This book is a wonderful read for anyone interested in language. It contains short essays on twenty-one common misconceptions about language by established (socio-) linguists.

Ranging from the entertaining: women talk too much, in the Appalachians they speak like Shakespeare, everyone has an accent except me, to the important: double negatives are illogical, you shouldn't say `it's me' because `me' is accusative, English spelling is katastroffik and the fundamental: the media are ruining the language, aborigines speak a primitive language, black children are verbally deprived, they speak really bad English down south and in New York.

These - and other - common and more exotic language myths are sliced into bits and analysed and the invariable effect it will have on you is always: `damn... how could I be so gullible/prejudiced/shallow-minded about it?'
I know I will no longer correct anyone who says `heh, it's me!' (instead of `heh, it is I!' or `who do you write for?' (instead of `whom do you write for?') - least of all will I correct myself.

Educative, entertaining and enlightening.

This one gets five stars.

Bram Janssen,
The Netherlands

Introduction to Mythology: Contemporary Approaches to Classical and World Myths

Average customer rating:

A Textbook that doesn't feel like one.
Disappointing
Wonderfully written
Very pleased

Introduction to Mythology: Contemporary Approaches to Classical and World Myths
Eva M. Thury , and Margaret K. Devinney
Manufacturer: Oxford University Press, USA
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 019515889X

Book Description

Introduction to Mythology: Contemporary Approaches to Classical and World Myths introduces students to a wide range of myths from various critical perspectives. Featuring original texts from sources around the world, it includes readings from Greek and Roman classics (by Homer, Hesiod, Ovid, and other writers); Nordic mythology (by Snorri Sturluson); Hindu culture (The Ramayana); and from such ancient works as The Epic of Gilgamesh and the Bible. Selections from Native-American sources and fairy tales and stories from Africa, Germany, and the United States are also included. In addition, authors Eva Thury and Margaret Devinney draw comparisons between classical myths and such contemporary cultural phenomena as The X Files, Star Trek, and Mother Goose. They also incorporate readings by Carl Jung, Levi-Strauss, Victor Turner, and other scholars who consider mythic material from different analytical perspectives. Finally, works by Milton, Keats, Updike, and Joyce are presented as examples of modern literary texts with mythological roots. The selections are organized into seven topical sections: myths of creation and destruction; hero and trickster myths; ritual and myth; myths and dreams; folktale and myth; modern American myths; and myths and literature. Introduction to Mythology: Contemporary Approaches to Classical and World Myths employs an innovative pedagogical structure to help students unravel the complex web of literary allusions often found in mythological texts. Extensive marginal notes provide cross-references and explanations of terms and culture-specific concepts, while a glossary of deities, suggested readings for each chapter, and more than 200 illustrations, photographs, and maps further enhance the volume. Ideal for courses in classical and world mythology, this text can also be used in world culture, world literature, and comparative religion courses. An Instructor's Manual and a Student's Website featuring chapter objectives and summaries, key terms, study questions, self-tests, and off-site links of interest will accompany the book.

Customer Reviews:

A Textbook that doesn't feel like one........2007-02-17

This text is interesting in that it reads more like an anthology than a textbook. It is mostly composed of selections from the sourcetexts of the various myths, and when the authors do write their own material about the selections and such, their chapters feel more like news articles. This causes reading the book to feel more like reading a book for enjoyment than for being taught. I think this is a very positive thing, since the book feels less pedagogue-ish and yet is still quite informative. The only thing I see missing is family trees of the divine lineages, which would be most useful for studying Norse mythology, to use the most prominent example.

I also found it unfortunate that the sections on Norse Myth use Sturluson's Prose Edda for the source text rather than the Poetic Edda, the more legitimate source. Apparently they did this to show how mythic texts rationalize their contents. In Sturluson's case, he decided to claim that the ancient Icelandic people simply forgot the Christian faith over time, even though the Germanic religion was practiced all over northern Europe for centuries before Christianity ever existed. Gotta love that medieval scholarship.

Disappointing.......2006-02-14

The myths (fascinating) are clearly presented, with bold-face type stressing important points, but the reading is interrupted by commentaries in the margins. The introductory remarks are often written in such convoluted style that they are more confusing than illuminating. Tiny, unclear photos of related artworks are next to worthless.

Wonderfully written.......2005-11-18

I may be biased having had Dr. Devinney for a Prof a few times in the past, but this book is so well organized and clear that I recommend it to anyone. I was espically impressed with the structure!

Very pleased.......2005-08-20

Book arrived in very good condition. Description of item was accurate. Will do business with them again.

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