Don't Know Much About Mythology: Everything You Need to Know About the Greatest Stories in Human ...
"Where do we come from? Why do stars shine and the seasons change? What is evil? Since the beginning of time, people have answered such questions b...
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Feb 07, 2011
Amber
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This book is pretty much what the title says it is. It's not a scholarly mess of whatnot, but a really great breakdown of most major culture's mythological history. I am pretty convinced that no one really has any idea about specifics of Japanese mythology because I can never find a book on it (only art relating to the mythology) but it is still pretty amazing to see how every culture has similar themes going through etc etc. It's still pretty nerdly reading, but easy to understand just for funs
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Mar 06, 2011
Becky
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This book is an intersting blend of history and mythology--and really does prove that most of us don't know much about either! Each section of the book starts with a timeline of events for the part of the world being discussed (ancient Mesopotamia, Egypt, Greece, Rome, the Americas, Pacific islands, and more) and then follows with information on the myths of each in a question-and-answer format, including a "who's who" of gods and goddesses for each region. Sprinkled throughout each
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Sep 06, 2010
Laura
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This is a grand summary of world mythology. Kenneth Davis puts it altogether in one coherent, incredibly readable book. Sure, he leaves quite a bit out - and he omits pedantic scholarly digressions as well - but the whole of it is very helpful and ultimately proves why mythology still matters.
Did you know that the ancient Mesopotamians "invented the seven-day week, beer, and astrology"? Neither did I! Every time I lift my stein, I will say a big thank you to the peopl More...
Did you know that the ancient Mesopotamians "invented the seven-day week, beer, and astrology"? Neither did I! Every time I lift my stein, I will say a big thank you to the peopl More...
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Nov 10, 2011
Sean
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This book is a very accessible, almost informal guide to most world mythology. I love how it tried to cover as much ground as possible- covering every continent's ancient cultures, not just sticking to Greek/Roman like many books do.
It's by no means any sort of scholarly work. Mr. Davis isn't trying to be Joseph Campbell or James Frazier or any other big name mythologists, he's just trying to give you a rundown on the basics of various cultures' myths.
Definitely avoid thi More...
It's by no means any sort of scholarly work. Mr. Davis isn't trying to be Joseph Campbell or James Frazier or any other big name mythologists, he's just trying to give you a rundown on the basics of various cultures' myths.
Definitely avoid thi More...
Jan 28, 2012
George
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AN AUTODIDACT’S DELIGHT.
“…humans are mythmaking animals, retelling ancient stories to fulfill present needs.”—page 206
I haven’t felt this smart since I finished reading Will Durant’s ‘The Story of Philosophy,’ decades ago. That said and the book read, I’m still more mythology moron than maven.
In her excellent and inviting synopsis/review, on the goodreads.com page, of Neil Gaiman’s, ‘Ameican Gods,’ (a novel I recently added to my ‘to-read’ shelf) Sharon Bosley writ More...
“…humans are mythmaking animals, retelling ancient stories to fulfill present needs.”—page 206
I haven’t felt this smart since I finished reading Will Durant’s ‘The Story of Philosophy,’ decades ago. That said and the book read, I’m still more mythology moron than maven.
In her excellent and inviting synopsis/review, on the goodreads.com page, of Neil Gaiman’s, ‘Ameican Gods,’ (a novel I recently added to my ‘to-read’ shelf) Sharon Bosley writ More...
Feb 10, 2011
melydia
rated it:
Wow, this book is long. I mean, it's interesting, but there's so much information covering so vast a scope that reading it is like running a marathon. Each section covers a geographical region such as Africa or Western Europe, with the countries boasting the most well-documented mythologies getting the most treatment, such as Egypt, India, and Greece/Rome. Each section includes a timeline, a "who's who" of gods and goddesses, relevant quotes, and answers to common questions like "
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Jul 06, 2010
Angie
rated it: 
I listened to the abridged audio CD. I'm grateful it was abridged. I had a hard time sticking with this book. I can't imagine reading all 560 pages. At times, the book was repetitive, boring, and full of sexual themes. The author loved to quote Freud and refer to any mythic imagery relating to sex or fertility. The title is misleading. I expected this to be a rundown of the classic Greek/Roman mythological stories. This was an ancient world history with occassional references to religious belief
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Sep 19, 2010
Sally
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Very instructive book, though not what I was expecting. I thought it would be a collection of world-wide myths but instead found it to be a history of myths - the author gives the textbook history of a specific group of people or region, the history of the discovery of the myths, and then sprinkles in some of the stories, and finally puts in notes about how the "myths" could be related to factual events. Instead of sitting at the feet of a story-teller, I found myself in a lecture hall
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Sep 26, 2010
Reading in sections as I review my ELA curriculum that parallels the Global. Reviews are in order by section.
Mesopotamia: Why is this section second? In every global or world history course we normally begin with Mesopotamia (Davis begins with Egypt- perhaps with later reading I will have to amend this section). Davis' introduction to this section is informative and detailed. I thought the seven day week, beer, and astrology were probably the most interesting to the widest audience. More...
Mesopotamia: Why is this section second? In every global or world history course we normally begin with Mesopotamia (Davis begins with Egypt- perhaps with later reading I will have to amend this section). Davis' introduction to this section is informative and detailed. I thought the seven day week, beer, and astrology were probably the most interesting to the widest audience. More...
Jul 16, 2008
Snorkle
rated it: 
Kenneth C. Davis attempts to entertain us while also educating us on world mythology. I only read this book because I had already read a couple other books by Kenneth and thought that they were pretty good, and I was also interested to see what I could soak up in mythology (not one of my favorite subjects). I was highly disgusted with the content of this book. It seemed like every page had a story of incest, rape, sexuality or dramatic violence.
I kept reading because I thought that ma More...
I kept reading because I thought that ma More...
Nov 15, 2007
John
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I know plenty about certain mythologies, put picked up Ken Davis' book to learn about Hindu, Buddhist, North and South American cultures. Davis is very sympathetic to cultures damaged by imperialiasm; Guns, Germs and Steel is cited at least ten times in the narrative alone, far more than any other resource on any part of the subject. It's still a very well-researched book, and each section is a solid introduction to the characters, stories and anthropological theories for the various mythologies
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Jun 24, 2009
Mike
rated it:
A good deal of width and little depth, still, an enjoyable overview of some myths you know well and some you have never heard of before.
Davis also hints at, but skirts, some of the serious discussion points regarding ancient myths and the New and Old Testament.
Gilgamesh and the flood story...Noah and the flood. Osiris and his resurrection...Jesus and his resurrection.
While Davis never gives his opinion on these matters he does mention the correlations.
Davis also hints at, but skirts, some of the serious discussion points regarding ancient myths and the New and Old Testament.
Gilgamesh and the flood story...Noah and the flood. Osiris and his resurrection...Jesus and his resurrection.
While Davis never gives his opinion on these matters he does mention the correlations.
Mar 08, 2010
Drew
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Great to get the overview and fill in gaps in my memory and knowledge... I did have a bit of a problem with the expression of lament over times when people held myths closer to their hearts than modern people today.
We are much better, IMO, now when we see myth from a distance than with it heaving over us and clouding our eyes from seeing reality.
Wish for simpler times if you wish, but they were certainly not kinder nor easier to survive in!
We are much better, IMO, now when we see myth from a distance than with it heaving over us and clouding our eyes from seeing reality.
Wish for simpler times if you wish, but they were certainly not kinder nor easier to survive in!
Feb 02, 2009
Daniel
rated it:
A great overview of world mythology. There are enough basics in it to excite and inform the new arrival to the mythological scene, while presenting enough new ideas to entice the well-read to continue on. And the fact that each chapter is only a page or two makes it an incrediablly fast read.
I should note that their is a bias toward Egyptian, Mesopatamian and European mythology. The cultures of the far east get little page time.
I should note that their is a bias toward Egyptian, Mesopatamian and European mythology. The cultures of the far east get little page time.
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Aug 26, 2010
Marisela
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I am on disc 4 of this audio book and unfortunately, I am bored out of my mind. For starters, it is hard to understand the reader. His accent is very hard to hear and does not do the book any favors.
The subject is interesting, however, this author has repeated some of the subjects over and over in just the first 4 discs. I can't imagine reading the rest of the book (CD).
The subject is interesting, however, this author has repeated some of the subjects over and over in just the first 4 discs. I can't imagine reading the rest of the book (CD).
May 20, 2010
Brandon
rated it:
I love the format, and while I am not as much of a mythology buff as I am a history buff. I still immensely enjoyed this book. It was fascinating to learn about some many ancient beliefs. My only complaint is that Davis never really drew good connections between ancient beliefs to modern beliefs other than showing the archetypes that are present then and now.
Feb 04, 2011
Eveningstar2
rated it:
Apparently, neither does the author.
The discourse is elementary and flawed and anything but thought-provoking. Davis's arguments about the origin and purpose of mythology rehash the same outdated Industrial-era primitivism, which ironically detract from the whole purpose of studying mythology at all.
Skip it. Read Joseph Campbell instead.
The discourse is elementary and flawed and anything but thought-provoking. Davis's arguments about the origin and purpose of mythology rehash the same outdated Industrial-era primitivism, which ironically detract from the whole purpose of studying mythology at all.
Skip it. Read Joseph Campbell instead.
Dec 11, 2008
Andrew
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For those who wonder how distinct western religions are as contrasted with ancient myths, this book might be a bit discomforting. However, it is an excellent overview of the many of the world's myths. More readers will probably know the Greek and Roman descriptions, but the others are also interesting. Another value is linguistic.
Mar 21, 2009
Derrick
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The book is okay. After reading it you will have at least a passing knowledge of all categories of fiction. Davis certainly operates from some fairly major biases (hard for any of us to avoid) and does make a few small mistakes here and there (see discussion threads). Two things bugged me more than anything else. First, the section on Norse mythology, which is a well studied mythos, was so bare I couldn't believe it. Second, the book ends in rush. It feels as if the author wanted to be finished
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Jan 11, 2010
travelerblue
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Dewey 291.13
One is hard pressed to understand the history and modern culture of a country or area without understanding their societal myths. History of myth is the history of civilization. This is a nice overview of world myths, many of which are not found in the average mythology tomes.
One is hard pressed to understand the history and modern culture of a country or area without understanding their societal myths. History of myth is the history of civilization. This is a nice overview of world myths, many of which are not found in the average mythology tomes.
Aug 10, 2011
Sofia
rated it: 
One of the best books of history I have ever read. Not only do you learn about mythology, but you get a crash course in the history of ancient civilizations and how many of our beliefs and rituals are intimately connected to these cultures.
Aug 31, 2011
Stephanie
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Great overview of the mythologies of the ancient world - from the "Western Civ class" myths of Mesopotamia, Egypt and Greece to myths less familiar to me: of the Celtic people, Vikings, Africans, and Native Americans (North, Central and South). Interesting to see that across time and region, there are some common features: Creation myths, a Great Flood, and myths to explain the rebirth of nature in Spring. Also frequent appearances of twins! Very informative and written in an inte
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May 13, 2008
stephanie
rated it:
super-accessible writing, but unfortunately, not really . . . supported by much. at least, it might be, be he does not cite enough sources for me to feel comfortable revising my whole theory of the persephone myth. i didn't like the greek/roman section, and if i knew more about the other myths, i might feel the same way.
i really liked how easy it was to read, though, and how it made history interesting to the average joe.
i still like edith hamilton better. even if she's More...
i really liked how easy it was to read, though, and how it made history interesting to the average joe.
i still like edith hamilton better. even if she's More...
Oct 25, 2009
Patty
rated it:
A good exploration of the various creation myths from around the world and each culture's pantheon of gods and goddesses. Emphasis is placed on those that contributed most to "Western Civilization" but a fun read nonetheless.
Jan 25, 2011
Justin
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A good book for novices to Mythology this briefly touches most cultural background mythologies. If you are wanting to know information about a certain pantheon or cultural myth you should pick up something directly related to that area.
Apr 19, 2010
The beginning of this is so dry. I hope I don't hate it, I do love mythology so.
Got halfway through the first disc and took it out in disgust. I hate dry books. It's mythology. Mythology should, by definition, not be boring.
Got halfway through the first disc and took it out in disgust. I hate dry books. It's mythology. Mythology should, by definition, not be boring.
Jan 26, 2010
Loricious
rated it:
Another book that I couldn't quite finish in time for the deadline.
BUT what a great listen! I enjoyed hearing a bunch of mythology that wasn't Roman/Greek. Wonderfully narrated.
BUT what a great listen! I enjoyed hearing a bunch of mythology that wasn't Roman/Greek. Wonderfully narrated.
Jul 02, 2009
Nicole
rated it:
I really only read the section on Greek myths, but wow. What a fun book. It's hilarious and informative all wrapped up together - my absolute favorite type of reading.
Jan 14, 2012
This is free on Kindle at the moment (1/14/12). I *do* know much about mythology, but I can never resist another book about it. Especially a free one. ;)
Jan 17, 2010
Amy
rated it:
Enjoyable, and fascinating subject material, but the book's odd blend of specifics and broad overviews made the flow rather choppy.
