Don't Know Much About Mythology: Everything You Need to Know About the Greatest Stories in Human History but Never LearnedHarper Collins, 1. nov. 2005 - 560 sider The latest installment in the New York Times bestselling Don't Know Much About® series -- a magical journey into the timeless world of mythology It has been fifteen years since Kenneth C. Davis first dazzled audiences with his instant classic Don't Know Much About® History, vividly bringing the past to life and proving that Americans don't hate history, they just hate the dull, textbook version they were fed in school. With humor, wit, and a knack for storytelling, Davis has been bringing readers of all ages up to speed on history, geography, and science ever since. Now, in the classic traditions of Edith Hamilton and Joseph Campbell, he turns his talents to the world of myth. 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 by crafting imaginative stories that have served as religion, science, philosophy, and popular literature. In his irreverent and popular question-and-answer style, Davis introduces and explains the great myths of the world, as well as the works of literature that have made them famous. In a single volume, he tackles Mesopotamia's Gilgamesh, the first hero in world mythology; Achilles and the Trojan War; Stonehenge and the Druids; Thor, the Nordic god of thunder; Chinese oracle bones; the use of peyote in ancient Native American rites; and the dramatic life and times of the man who would be Buddha. Ever familiar and instructive, Davis shows why the ancient tales of gods and heroes -- from Mount Olympus to Machu Picchu, from ancient Rome to the icy land of the Norse -- continue to speak to us today, in our movies, art, language, and music. For mythology novices and buffs alike, and for anyone who loves a good story, Don't Know Much About® Mythology is a lively and insightful look into the greatest stories ever told. |
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... body was covered with eyes—exactly how many eyes he had depends on the source; some say four, some say a hundred—but only two of his eyes ever closed at any one time. Argus played a supporting role in a tale about Zeus, the randy lord ...
... bodies, or drive cars filled with explosives, or fly hijacked jets into buildings. They are motivated by beliefs whose roots stretch back to the most ancient of times. The idea of warriors gaining access to paradise through death is ...
... body and blood are consumed each week at a ritual of sacrifice called the Eucharist. In other words, what we call one person's “myth” is often another person's religion. One of this book's essential goals is to explore that ...
... bodies the same shape as their own. The Ethiopians say that their gods have snub noses and black skins, while the Thracians say that theirs have blue eyes and red hair. —Xenophanes (c. 570–475 BCE) Myths, legends, fables, folktales ...
... body. For example, Hindus consider the waters of the Ganges River in India to be sacred, and every year, millions of Hindus purify their bodies by bathing in the river, especially at the holy city of Varanasi. The common practice of ...
Indhold
1 | |
51 | |
By the Rivers of Babylon | 115 |
The Greek Miracle | 171 |
Bridge to the East | 309 |
Everywhere Under Heaven | 353 |
Ancient People New Worlds | 393 |
Sacred Hoops | 431 |
BIBLIOGRAPHY | 507 |
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS | 521 |
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