Eskiden mitler halkların tarihini anlatan öyküler olarak okunurdu. Fakat Carl G. Jung, Mircea Eliade, Joseph Campbell ve Claude Lévi-Strauss gibi çağdaş araştırmacılar mitlere daha farklı bir gözle bakmamızı sağladılar. Mitler halkların kolektif bilinçdışında olup bitenlerin yansımasıydı, “uygar”ın zihni de mit yaratmaya en az “ilkel”in zihni kadar yatkındı ve tüm halkların bilinçdışının yansıması olan bu öykülerde belli arketipler vardı. David A. Leeming A’dan Z’ye Dünya Mitolojisi’nde mitlerin günümüzde nasıl okunması gerektiğine dair kısa bir girişten sonra dünyanın belli başlı tüm halklarının ortaya çıkışları, var oluşları, yaşayışları, doğayı ve kendilerini algılayışları hakkında anlatageldiği öyküleri sizin için özetliyor. Tek bir cilt içerisinde sadece eski Yunan değil, Kelt, İskandinav, Aborjin, Maya, Hint, Japon, Kızılderili, Dogon ve başka birçok halkın mitolojisini bulacaksınız. (Tanıtım Bülteninden)
This is a useful mythology overview. It includes many mythic groups that are usually overlooked (African and Central Asia, as well as Polynesia, come to mind). I was disappointed that it did not include Slavic mythology, especially with the rise in interest in Slavic mythology, Perun in particular. However, I did like that it included a chapter on Modern Myths and on the idea of a "World Myth" tying all of the information in the previous chapters together. I also liked that it included some mythic texts in an Appendix. Definitely a handy mythology reference book.
This book is packed with useful information. Currently it has little on what I need. Knowing my local library has a copy, I will reopen this book again one day.
It's short, doesn't go into too much detail, but it's a great resource to have when you want to refresh your memory of the different religions of the world.
Leeming, D. A., (2014). The Handy Mythology Answer Book. Visible Ink: Detroit.
Citation by: Brandy New
Type of Reference: Handbook
Call Number: BL312
Content/Scope: A comprehensive handbook of mythology targeted for grades 6 and up. A wide range of myths from cultures all over the world are discussed. The book format answers almost 600 questions and includes discussion of topics central to this area.
Accuracy/Authority/Bias: This is a popular an extensive book series. The bibliography suggest the authenticity of the stories included.
Arrangement/Presentation: The book is arranged in a question and answer format with illustrations and short pieces of text. The book also includes a glossary, index and bibliography.
Relation to other works: This book in one in the series of question and answer books for children on various topics. This is a widely written about and popular topic with young readers. This book is comprehensive as compared to many works that focus on one particular myth or culture.
Accessibility/Diversity: Includes myths from ancient Greek and Roman to Egypt and Babylon, from Native North American Indian to Celtic, Middle Eastern, Indian, Asian, and African cultures.
Cost: $21.95
Professional Review: Talty, H. (2014). Nutrition, Social Deviance, and Political Controversy. School Library Journal, Dec. 3, 2014. Retrieved from http://www.slj.com/2014/12/reviews/re...
A useful book for looking up different myths but was still missing some stories my daughter was interested in. She enjoyed all the pictures that were included and liked the details in the story of Perseus and Medusa. We then checked out the new Percy Jackson reference book to fill in the blanks about Medusa. wanted more info on Chiron but he is only mentioned once in this book. We will have to get a book focusing more on Greek mythology to learn more about him.
Does exactly what it says on the tin: presents you with a bunch of questions about all sorts of mythology, and then answers them for you! The text would be a little hard for a young teen, but someone about 16-adult should be able to get through this one just fine, and honestly I've thought about buying a copy as a reference.
More of an annotated list for further reading, this broad net felt as rushed as a high schooler trying to finish a final project the night before it's due.