Don't Know Much About® Mythology
Everything You Need to Know About the Greatest Stories in Human History but Never Learned
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4.0 • 1 Rating
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- $11.99
Publisher Description
In this fascinating installment of the New York Times bestselling Don’t Know Much About® series, Kenneth C. Davis explores the great myths of the world and their implications for art, science, religion and culture throughout history.
What is an Egyptian pyramid doing on the U. S. dollar bill? • Did a pharaoh inspire Moses to worship one God? • What’s a Canaanite demoness doing at a rock concert?
Since the beginning of time, people have been insatiably curious. They’ve asked questions about where we come from, why the stars shine and the seasons change, and what constitutes evil. The imaginative answers crafted by our ancestors have served as religion, science, philosophy, and popular literature.
In an engaging and delightfully irreverent question-and-answer style, Davis tackles the epic of Gilgamesh; Achilles and the Trojan War; Stonehenge and the Druids; Odin, Thor, and the entire Norse pantheon; Native American myths, and much more, including the dramatic life and times of the man who would be Buddha. From Mount Olympus to Machu Picchu, here is an insightful, lively look at the greatest stories ever told.
Davis connects the dots between ancient legends and our modern world, revealing:
Egyptian Mythology: Find out why a pharaoh’s radical idea might have inspired Moses and what an ancient pyramid is doing on the U.S. dollar bill.The Hero’s Quest: Follow the epic journeys of heroes like Odysseus and the flawed king Gilgamesh as they battle monsters, gods, and their own destinies.Celtic and Norse Myths: Meet the powerful pantheon of Asgard, from the thunderous Thor to the trickster Loki, and uncover the truth behind Stonehenge and the Druids.Enduring Legends: Learn how stories from the Buddha, Native American traditions, and even a Canaanite demoness have shaped art, culture, and modern rock concerts.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
What is a myth? How does it differ from legend, fairy tale and allegory? Do myths cross cultures? Davis (Don't Know Much About the Civil War) answers these and many other questions with his characteristic humor and charming storytelling. He examines the myths created by societies ranging from Egypt, Greece and Rome to Africa, India and the Americas, proceeding, as in his other books, by way of question and answer as he surveys each mythmaking culture. A who's who for each culture is also helpful. He shows the connections between myths of various cultures, such as the flood story of Noah in Genesis and that of the Mesopotamian Epic of Gilsh. Among the questions and answers, Davis intersperses "mythic voices" from characters in the stories so readers can virtually hear the heroes of bygone eras. Because Davis ranges widely and with such sparkling wit through a broad sweep of myths, his survey provides a superb starting point for entering the world of mythology.
