The World of Myth
An Anthology
2nd Edition
Published on 23. January 2014
Book
Paperback/Softback
352 pages
978-0-19-931636-6 (ISBN)
Description
Since its publication in 1991, The World of Myth has provided thousands of students with a fascinating, wide-ranging introduction to world mythology. Building on the bestselling tradition of the first edition, the long-awaited second edition offers a uniquely comprehensive collection of myths from numerous cultures around the globe. Featuring a thematic organization, it helps students understand world mythology as a metaphor for humanity's search for meaning
in a complex world. Author David Leeming presents a sweeping variety of myths whose origins range from ancient Egypt and Greece to the Polynesian islands and modern science. Students will be captivated by stories of great floods from the ancient Babylonians, Hebrews, Chinese, and Mayans; tales of apocalypse
from India, the Norse, Christianity, and modern science; myths of the mother goddess from Native American Hopi culture and James Lovelock's Gaia; and much more. One of the most wide-ranging anthologies available, this volume includes myths from African, Australian Aboriginal, Aztec, Celtic, Chinese, Greek, Hittite, Japanese, Moslem, and Persian cultures.
NEW TO THIS EDITION
Greatly expanded coverage of non-Western myths, including new selections from Arabia, China, Egypt, India, Indonesia, Iran, Mesoamerica, North and South America, and Sub-Saharan Africa
More coverage of "Great Mother" and "World Mother" myths-including new selections from Ireland, Mexico, and North American Indian cultures-and other feminine-based myths
Many new translations, a new design, key terms (boldfaced at their first appearance), and a glossary
A world locator map at the front of the book showing the geographical distribution of the myths covered in the text
in a complex world. Author David Leeming presents a sweeping variety of myths whose origins range from ancient Egypt and Greece to the Polynesian islands and modern science. Students will be captivated by stories of great floods from the ancient Babylonians, Hebrews, Chinese, and Mayans; tales of apocalypse
from India, the Norse, Christianity, and modern science; myths of the mother goddess from Native American Hopi culture and James Lovelock's Gaia; and much more. One of the most wide-ranging anthologies available, this volume includes myths from African, Australian Aboriginal, Aztec, Celtic, Chinese, Greek, Hittite, Japanese, Moslem, and Persian cultures.
NEW TO THIS EDITION
Greatly expanded coverage of non-Western myths, including new selections from Arabia, China, Egypt, India, Indonesia, Iran, Mesoamerica, North and South America, and Sub-Saharan Africa
More coverage of "Great Mother" and "World Mother" myths-including new selections from Ireland, Mexico, and North American Indian cultures-and other feminine-based myths
Many new translations, a new design, key terms (boldfaced at their first appearance), and a glossary
A world locator map at the front of the book showing the geographical distribution of the myths covered in the text
Reviews / Votes
This is a very interesting and well written comparative reader * Katharina Zinn, University of Wales Trinity Saint David *More details
Edition
2nd Revised edition
Language
English
Place of publication
New York
United States
Target group
Adult education
Edition type
Revised edition
Illustrations
7 B&W
Dimensions
Height: 234 mm
Width: 157 mm
Thickness: 14 mm
Weight
450 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-19-931636-6 (9780199316366)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Person
David Leeming is Professor Emeritus of English at the University of Connecticut in Storrs. He is the author of many books on mythology, including The Oxford Companion to World Mythology (2005).
Content
PART ONE. COSMIC MYTHS; THE CREATION; THE FLOOD; THE APOCALYPSE; PART TWO. MYTHS OF THE GODS; THE PANTHEONS; THE GOD AS ARCHETYPE; THE SUPREME BEING; THE GREAT MOTHER; THE DYING GOD; THE TRICKSTER; GODS, GODDESSES, AND LESSER SPIRITS; PART THREE. HERO MYTHS; PART FOUR. PLACE AND OBJECT MYTHS; THE WORLD OF AFTERLIFE; THE MOUNTAIN; THE CITY; THE TEMPLE; THE GENITALS; THE STONE; THE TREE; THE GARDEN, THE GROVE, AND THE CAVE; THE LABYRINTH