The Hero's Journey: Joseph Campbell on His Life and Work (Collected Works of Joseph Campbell)

Joseph Campbell

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1608681890 ISBN 13: 9781608681891

Publisher: New World Library, 2014

In what amounts to Campbell s only spiritual autobiography, this beautifully crafted collection of conversations, interviews, and outtakes from the The Hero s Journey documentary reveals and illuminates Campbell s personal and intellectual journey. Warm and relaxed, Campbell is first seen sipping Glenlivet and encouraging his mentee, Cousineau. Then, as described by Publishers Weekly, the book ranges widely, from Cro-Magnon art to Arthurian legend...as it follows Campbell from his Catholic boyhood and early interest in American Indians to his years in Paris and Munich. Readers listen in as he meets Jung (who discusses the meaning of the Hindu syllable, Om ); hear Campbell quip, if marriage isn t a first priority in your life, you re not married ; and learn the genesis of Campbell s trademark, follow your bliss. As Richard Adams wrote, it reveals at every turn fresh aspects of his genius, wisdom, and understanding.

Review:

Joseph Campbell was arguably the greatest authority on mythology of this century; his The Hero With a Thousand Faces and Masks of God series have had an incalculable effect on readers from students of religion and anthropology to creative artists such as George Lucas, creator of StarWars. The Hero's Journey is the story of Campbell's life and life's work. From his childhood discovery of stories of Native Americans, it follows his burgeoning fascination with mythology. The format of the book is unusual, being largely transcripts from interviews with Campbell for the 1988 TV documentary film, The Hero's Journey: The World of Joseph Campbell, supplemented by extracts from question and answer sessions from his final series of lectures. Initially this might seem off-putting; oral interviews rarely work so well when put raw onto the page. But this book works beautifully, partly, no doubt, because of the care in selecting and editing the transcripts, but mainly because of the sense of excitement that Campbell still displayed in mythology right to the end of his long life (1904--1987). There's a bubbling delight, almost playfulness, which infuses almost every page. Perhaps this is because Campbell's study and scholarship was his own; having abandoned his PhD research, he was never forced into the academic mould "under the supervision of some professor who had his excitement, if he ever had it, a lifetime ago." Campbell was not only highly respected and an inspiration to all who read his works, he arguably became a living myth himself. This richly illustrated book, filled throughout with fascinating observations and deep insights, will become part of the canon of that mythology. --David V. Barrett

Review:

"A fascinating series of dialogues with Joseph Campbell, revealing at every turn fresh aspects of his genius, wisdom, and understanding. I hope this much-needed book will be widely read and pondered."
--Richard Adams, author of "Watership Down"

"We don't have enough personal history regarding Joseph Campbell, so [this] book fills a real need."
--Michael Murphy, cofounder of the Esalen Institute

"Blissful! Illuminating! The voice of the master storyteller himself...An outstanding introduction to the great teacher and personalizer of our myths and muses."
--Noel Riley Fitch, author of "Sylvia Beach and the Lost Generation"

"These stories reveal how [Campbell's] sense of the oneness of mythology began and grew over the course of his long and event-filled life journey. As we read them, we experience the warm human presence of a man who spent his life learning from others as well as teaching. Recommended."
--"Library Journal"
A fascinating series of dialogues with Joseph Campbell, revealing at every turn fresh aspects of his genius, wisdom, and understanding. I hope this much-needed book will be widely read and pondered.
Richard Adams, author of Watership Down
We don t have enough personal history regarding Joseph Campbell, so [this] book fills a real need.
Michael Murphy, cofounder of the Esalen Institute
Blissful! Illuminating! The voice of the master storyteller himself...An outstanding introduction to the great teacher and personalizer of our myths and muses.
Noel Riley Fitch, author of Sylvia Beach and the Lost Generation
These stories reveal how [Campbell s] sense of the oneness of mythology began and grew over the course of his long and event-filled life journey. As we read them, we experience the warm human presence of a man who spent his life learning from others as well as teaching. Recommended.
Library Journal
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