Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #250336 in Books
• Published on: 2004-03-19
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 496 pages

Synopsis
Joseph Campbell's classic cross-cultural study of the hero's journey has inspired millions and opened up new areas of research and exploration. Originally published in 1949 the book hit the New York Times Best-Seller List in 1988 when it became the subject of The Power of Myth, a PBS television special. Now, this legendary volume, re-released in honor of the 100th anniversary of the author's birth, promises to capture the imagination of a new generation of readers. The first popular work to combine the spiritual and psychological insights of modern psychoanalysis with the archetypes of world mythology, Campbell's book creates a road map for navigating the frustrating path of contemporary life. xamining heroic myths in the light of modern psychology, it considers not only the patterns and stages of mythology but also its relevance to our lives today - and to the life of any person seeking a fully realized existence. Myth, according to Campbell, is the projection of a culture's dreams onto a large screen; Campbell's book, like Star Wars, the film it helped inspire, is an exploration of the big-picture moments from the stage that is our world.

Customer Reviews

Most Insightful Book
I began to read Joseph Campbell's "The Hero with a Thousand Faces" without stopping and I could not put it down. It is a very intriguing and easy to read book, and I would strongly recommend this book to the general readers.

In this book, Campbell brought forth in a very insightful way about the journey of the 'archetypal hero' who can be found in almost all the mythologies and religions of every country. This is interesting for I never seen it before. The author has done so with a careful study of these mythologies, legends, and religions.

There was a mention of "Dark Night of the Soul" in this book, which I think is important for me personally. The fact that I have a journey and this book speak of great volume for me. Each of us has a road of trials, challenges and obstacles to face. But, not everyone has a destiny. There are many in our world who refuses to know one's own "dark night of the soul," who refuses to heed one's calling, and who desires to be 'safe' and 'asleep.' These people are ignorant of the fact that they are slaves to their own temptations and to the will of the psychopaths in power.

This book is one of the most important books. And, if you are a truth seeker, this is a book for you.

The One.
This was one of the most infuential works in modern day, presenting the answer to many questions of myth. It has also inspired many to construct better modern day stories; from books to films.

Over hyped
In many ways the reviews are more interesting than the book. I read this many years ago before it was either fashionable or tied to Stars Wars or how to structure novels. It's good however I don't think this is Prof Campbell's finest work. I much prefer and have reread more often his four volume set The Masks of God. The book is interesting however don't believe reviews that tell you there would be no Stars Wars, no Sandman, no Watership Down without Campbell's book. He only interpreted The Hero -he didn't invent him. Enkidu was a Hero several millennia before Campbell was born.