Catching up on Classics (and lots more!) discussion

I have been doing this for a while now. I just need a place to record it.
Challenge consists of three parts: 1) books written by Campbell and/or released by the foundation. 2) Campbell's reading list for his Sarah Lawerence students. 3) Books inspired by the first two on this list.

Books by J. Campbell that I have Read:
Asian Journals: India and Japan
Creative Mythology
The Ecstasy of Being: Mythology and Dance
The Flight of the Wild Gander: Explorations in the Mythological Dimension
Goddesses: Mysteries of the Feminine Divine
The Hero With a Thousand Faces
Myths of Light: Eastern Metaphors of the Eternal
Myths to Live By
Occidental Mythology
Oriental Mythology: The Masks of God
The Power of Myth
Primitive Mythology
Romance of the Grail: The Magic and Mystery of Arthurian Myth
Thou Art That: Transforming Religious Metaphor
Transformations of Myth Through Time
Prologue: Historical Atlas of World Mythology Part I.A
I.D: Early Hunters of the Open Plains (Historical Atlas of World Mythology
I.E: Living Peoples of the Equatorial Forest (Historical Atlas of World Mythology
I.F: Art as a Revelation (Historical Atlas of World Mythology

For the Sarah Lawerence College reading list, this is my source
https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/1...

Sarah Lawerence Books that I have Read:
African Mythology: Gods, Heroes, Legends and Myths of Ancient Africa in place of African Genesis: Folk Tales and Myths of Africa
The Art of War
Beowulf
Zen in the Art of Archery
Oedipus Tyrannus (I read this as Oedipus Rex. Same thing though)
The Way of Zen
The Book of Tea
Tales of the North American Indians
The Metamorphoses of Ovid
Man and His Symbols

Book Reading Inspired by J. Campbell and the SL list
The Book of Tea ---> Cultivating Femininity: Women and Tea Culture in Edo and Meiji Japan
The Hero With a Thousand Faces--->The Heroine with 1001 Faces
Goddesses: Mysteries of the Feminine Divine---> Women and Other Monsters: Building a New Mythology
Beowulf ---> Beowulf and Its Analogues
Primitive Mythology---> The Origins of the World's Mythologies
The Power of Myth---> The Myth of the Eternal Return or, Cosmos and History

Hi Michelle. I don't know if we have ever met. I am interested in this list. I think I have an copy of The Power of Myth and just possibly The Hero With a Thousand Faces. I will check back to see what you are reading. I am interestedninmyour comments and maybe reading some of the same books about the same time you are.

I made myself re-read The Iliad just last month. I also readmCirce this year. I want to read more about the myths.

Glad,to have met you.

Wow, Michele--I love this challenge. I've followed Campbell for a long time, but have only read a few of his books. The Hero With a Thousand Faces is like a million books in one. I was most impacted by the mythology talks he gave--mesmerizing.

I'm excited to see his Sarah Lawrence list!

I've read parts of The Way of Zen. Enjoy, and thanks for this inspiring challenge!

Michele wrote:
"Creative Mythology ...
Occidental Mythology...
Oriental Mythology: The Masks of God ....
Primitive Mythology..."

Those looking for these four volumes should be aware that they are *all* parts of "The Masks of God" series of studies, and might be catalogued under that title instead of the ones listed here. (Yes, it should be treated as a subtitle, but such things often get mixed up, and I've seen lots of strange permutations of series titles.)

By the way, thanks for the list. It reminds me of how long it has been since I read Campbell, and how much of his output I never got around to reading, or even finding.

Thanks for the good feedback everyone! We could arrange a buddy read if anyone wants to.

Just click on the Sarah Lawerence list link for some ideas. The Way of Zen is a LA county library book. I get 3 renewals on it, so I may be slow in reading it.

I probably will not be doing the entire Sarah Lawerence list. I just don't see me making it though The Bhagavad Gita as its massive. I'll see as time goes by.

Hi Michelle. I am guessing you will be working on this list into next year. I have my remaining 2018 rading time allocated. I will catch up with you next year. Thanks for the general invite.

Oh yes Cynda, this is a multi year project.

If you two plan a book from either list for 2019, I would love to take part in a buddy read!

We can do that. Feel free to make suggestions for a 2019 buddy read.

My two suggestions as both are under 300 pages and come from the Sarah Lawerence Reading list:

African Genesis: Folk Tales and Myths of Africa
The Book of Tea

Oh my--both of those sound excellent, Michele! Whatever you pick is fine with me. :-)

Finished The Way of Zen. Good overview on the development and practice of zen

I will be restarting this challenge in Jan. with The Book of Tea

Currently have it on hold in the LA library system

I like this idea for a challenge. I'm excited to see what happens in 2019.

I think you've chosen a great way to start the year, Michele, and I'm going to try to fit that one in too.

I'll let everyone know what I plan to start reading it, and if anyone wants to jump in for a mini buddy read, feel free to do so.

I plan to start reading The Book of Tea on Jan 2.

Finished The Book of Tea. The Book of Tea is about tea, of course, but its also about so much more. The prose in this book is so lyrical that it is beautiful.

I'm so glad you enjoyed this, Michele. I have it on order from the library and should be reading it in a week or so. I love tea and lyrical prose, so looking forward to it!

Michele wrote: "Finished The Book of Tea. The Book of Tea is about tea, of course, but its also about so much more. The prose in this book is so lyrical that is beautiful."

I finished, and agree that it is a lovely book. I especially liked the way he explained the history of the tea ceremony--how it fit in with the different historical ideologies. And so interesting what he said about flowers! Thanks so much for leading me to this one, Michele. :-)

I am glad you enjoyed it!

Finished Prologue: Historical Atlas of World Mythology Part I.A. I got the Kindle edition.

Joseph Campbell was working on this Atlas when he passed away. The foundation has done a good job of getting this together with whatever Campbell left. This Prologue goes though creation myths. Interesting to compare them all.

Finished I.D: Early Hunters of the Open Plains (Historical Atlas of World Mythology. Kindle edition, again.

This part of the Atlas goes though the painted caves of Europe though the rock art of southern Africa to the trace dancing of the Bushman and the Kung. Good stuff.

Hi Michele. Came by to see how things are going with you. I am interested in possibly buying The Book of Tea. I have been looking for an enjoyable and knowledgeable book about tea. Does this book also discuss the history of tea importation? Not necessary, but would be nice to have some of that history too.

Hi Cynda, Its mostly about Tea culture in Japan with some sides into US. You can find it free on Project Gutenberg, link is below.

http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/769

Thanks!

Finished I.E: Living Peoples of the Equatorial Forest (Historical Atlas of World Mythology . Still on my Kindle.

Covers the mythologic differences between the Forest and the plains. Focuses on Pygmy from the Congo Basin of Africa and the Andamanes of the Bay of Bengal. I was a bit ambivalent about the inclusion of the Tasaday of the Philippines. But at the time JC was writing this, the hoax hadn't be discovered yet. The editors chose to leave it in, as it gives us a glimpse into Campbells thought processes. More good stuff!

Done with I.F: Art as a Revelation (Historical Atlas of World Mythology. Kindle book.

This book does go over some of the same territory as some earlier ones. It does go into cross culture references. I think the last chapter is the best one as it is the most interesting.

Just got done with Tales of the North American Indians. This book is a compilation that is divided into themes (example: the animal spouse). Seems to have almost every NA tribe's tales or as many as possible. Can be hard to get through.

Starting 2020 reading off with:

The Flight of the Wild Gander: Explorations in the Mythological Dimension by Joseph Campbell

That sounds like a wonderful way to start the year, Michele! I actually have that one, and think I'll also try to read it soon. I've been craving just that sort of thing. Enjoy, and thank you for the inspiration!

That made me smile, Kathleen! I hope you enjoy your reading.

I just finished The Flight of the Wild Gander: Explorations in the Mythological Dimension.

Some of the material is familiar but it is put together in a different way. Campbell is so insightful here.

Currently reading:

Myths of Light: Eastern Metaphors of the Eternalby Joseph Campbell

Finished reading Myths of Light: Eastern Metaphors of the Eternal.
Eastern thought including Hindu (india), Buddism (china, japan) and Janism (India, China)

That one looks excellent, Michele. I'm adding it. :-)

I thought it was pretty good.

I will be starting 2021 off with The Metamorphoses of Ovid

That is a favorite of mine, Michele. Great way to start a new year!

Finished The Metamorphoses of Ovid. Long book of myths. Still worth reading.

Next up in this challenge for Jan. 2022; Man and His Symbols by C.G. Jung. First time reading C. Jung!

Those of you interested in this topic might enjoy The Heroine with 1001 Faces, a new book with a female point of view.

What an interesting challenge! I put The Power of Myth on my list to read in 2022.

Robin P wrote: "Those of you interested in this topic might enjoy The Heroine with 1001 Faces, a new book with a female point of view."

Thanks, I am going to read this one as well.

Added a third category on post 1. Called "Book Reading Inspired by J. Campbell and the SL list." I seem to be doing that also. Currently reading Cultivating Femininity: Women and Tea Culture in Edo and Meiji Japan by Rebecca Corbett also reading The Heroine with 1001 Faces by Maria Tatar.

Michelle, I keep your list in my mind as so much of it speaks to me. I have just this year read:
* The Book of Tea
* Cultivating Feminity: Women and Tea Culture in Edo and Meiji Japan
* The Power of Myth

. . . . Yes these are foundational books. Keep on with your worthwhile reading :-)

I love that you've expanded on this inspirational challenge, Michele.

I'd like to get back to The Flight of the Wild Gander: Explorations in the Mythological Dimension this year, but am also considering Jung's Man and His Symbols.

This is such a wonderful long-term project. Enjoy your reading!

Thanks!

Finished The Heroine with 1001 Faces. Good reading though the myths and folklore of the female hero with trips into the modern.

On the Sarah Lawerence list there is a book that I cannot find at all
African Genesis: Folk Tales and Myths of Africa I suspect its been out of print for a while now.

So I am going to substitute African Mythology: Gods, Heroes, Legends and Myths of Ancient Africa .

Finished Cultivating Femininity: Women and Tea Culture in Edo and Meiji Japan. Interesting look into the history of Japan's Tea culture.

Still waiting for Man and His Symbols from the library.

Finished African Mythology: Gods, Heroes, Legends and Myths of Ancient Africa. Good look into the various mythologies of Africa

While I am waiting for Man and His Symbols to be returned, I hope to get a hold of Women and Other Monsters: Building a New Mythology by Jess Zimmerman.