Recommend Books on Various Mythologies

[Enterprise]

@Bridget_Burke

Literature *is *part of the “sociocultural context.” History, archaeology, anthropology, psychology & all the other arts are connected.

Literature can be read within the sociocultural context of its time, but it need not be. And as regards myth, by no means does the context of the time of the creation of the myth translate into the use of the myth by later literatures, for which reason anthropological analyses of the relative importance of any given myth for its society are second-tier knowledge for me right now.

About the Bible: the KJV is probably the best, for the language. Skim through some bits, concentrate more on others. Many “commentaries” are available. For further studies, consider some Lives of the Saints. Lots of myth & legend there.

Do you happen to have off-hand recommendations for a survey work that would then allow me to concentrate Bible reading on what I am most interested in? If not, I suppose I’d better read the Bible…

You’re not going to find One Infallible Source for these studies. Each source will have its strengths & weaknesses. Read widely & use your intelligence. (How did you get out of school without enountering–at least–Edith Hamilton?)

I keep being mistaken for an absolute literary beginner around here :). I do intend to read widely, which is why I am asking for recommendations. I try to use my intelligence. I’ve managed to read and analyse, in a scholarly manner, all kinds of literary works, from novels and short stories to essays and biographies; I’m just trying to get a solid grounding in a new field with the help of people whose knowledge about literature I respect. And Mrs. Hamilton is not on the German curriculum, which I suppose explains my lack of familiarity with her work.

Concerning New World myths–consider Uruguayan Eduardo Galeano’s Memory of Fire series. They are a history of The New World–with emphasis on Latin America. The first volume contains short accounts of many New World creation myths. With sources in the bibliography for further research–especially if you know Spanish. You’ll find bits of legend & folklore in the later volumes, as well.

I had complete ignored Latin American mythology! Grumble. Oh well, more to read.

@well he's back

Another idea if you want a general grounding in world mythologies is to go to a textbook on the subject. The one that the students’ use here for their myth-lit class is huge and covers all regions of the world.

You would not happen to know which one that is? I’ve found a couple on Amazon, but can’t really figure out which one to prefer.

@WhyNot

If what you’re looking for is a superficial knowledge of lots of different mythologies, instead of an in depth knowledge of any of them, consider children’s versions. Much quicker read, often pretty pictures, and you’ll still know more than most people do. After all, most of the peoples themselves learned these stories as children! D’Aulaires’ Book of Greek Myths is that rare children’s classic that really is as good as you remember it. They also have a Norse book, but I haven’t picked that one up yet.

Interesting idea. I’m usually loath to shell out for children’s books because they seem to be more expensive page-for-page (thanks, illustrations). I might take a look at one, though, to see if it’s what I’m looking for. I’m actually hoping to end up somewhere midway between “superficial knowledge” and “indepth acquaintance”, but I don’t know how far I’ll carry that yet.

@CalMeacham

If you haven’t got them, there’s a pretty neat series of books with the title “______Mythology” that were originally printed by Paul Hamlyn, Inc. I’ve been collecting them through the years Their titles pretty much match what the OP cites…

I’ve ordered two used now, as they were each under a dollar…they sound useful, not too long to be unwieldy or too short to be, well, too short.

If you can find it (I can’t), THE book on Greek mythology is Arthur B. Cook’s massive three-volume Zeus.It’s actually in five physical books, since two of the volumes consist of two books. Despite the title, it covers a huge amount of ground on myth and art, not just Zeus. I have one volume that was reprinted within the past couple of decades. When I need to consult the others, I go to the Boston Public Linbrary.

My university library has them all, it seems. Will look them up. Otherwise, thanks for the various other recommendations!

[WhyNot]

@Enterprise

Interesting idea. I’m usually loath to shell out for children’s books because they seem to be more expensive page-for-page (thanks, illustrations). I might take a look at one, though, to see if it’s what I’m looking for. I’m actually hoping to end up somewhere midway between “superficial knowledge” and “indepth acquaintance”, but I don’t know how far I’ll carry that yet.

Hey, you’ve *already *purchased them. They’re holding on to them for you at that big building with all the books in it. Starts with an L and ends with ibrary.

And there’s no rule that you have to read one and only one book on any subject. Start simple for “superficial knowledge” and see what lights your fire for more “in-depth acquaintance.”

[vison]

The Larousse Encylodpedia of Mythology. It is interesting, because it’s not “English” but French in sensibility which gives it an entirely different feel.

[well_he_s_back]

This is the textbook the kids here are using in class this year: http://www.amazon.com/World-Mythology-Anthology-Great-Myths/dp/0844259667/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1233078135&sr=1-1

PS - how about Beowulf? don’t forget him. and the Anansi stories from Africa.

[Colibri]

For a quick and often hilarious introduction to many of the characters of Christian Mythology, I would recommend Saints Preserve Us!: Everything You Need to Know About Any Saint You’ll Ever Need and Who In Hell?: A Guide to the Whole Damned Bunch.

[Enterprise]

@WhyNot

Hey, you’ve *already *purchased them. They’re holding on to them for you at that big building with all the books in it. Starts with an L and ends with ibrary. ;)[

And there’s no rule that you have to read one and only one book on any subject. Start simple for “superficial knowledge” and see what lights your fire for more “in-depth acquaintance.”

Wait, if they’re mine, why do I always start to beep when I try to carry them home?

I rather doubt we carry a lot of English-language children’s book on mythology (and I’m afraid I’d prefer to keep it English, despite it not being my native language, simply because I work in it, and if it happens I need the stuff for work, I’ll save translative energies). Plus, I like to own books :).