Myths of Creation - Hardcover

Freund, Philip

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0720612020 ISBN 13: 9780720612028

Publisher: Peter Owen Publishers, 2003

Synopsis

An exploration of mythology, religious belief, and scientific theory on the origins of the universe. A classic study of mythology, this examination investigates stories from all continents and ages—with all their startling similarities and contrasts—to reveal the workings of the human mind and imagination. Philip Freund provides revealing insight into the universality of ideas and faith by examining a wide range of texts such as the Old Testament, the Upanishads, and Gilgamesh in his search for parallels between creation fables. The analysis estimates, for example, that more than 500 flood legends have been told by more than 250 tribes and peoples from around the world. Also featured are clear presentations of the theories of towering figures such as Freud, Jung, Frazer, Campbell, and Malinowski who have proposed variously that myths are primitive history based on literal fact, a means of expressing profound tribal wisdom and psychological and sexual truth, or that they represent a search for kinship with the animal and vegetable world. Fascinating and erudite, this revered book ranks among the select handful of core texts in any mythology collection.

About this title

About the Author:

Philip Freund is a novelist, poet, documentary film writer, and playwright as well as essayist, literary critic, and anthropologist. He is a Professor Emeritus at Fordham University, New York, and he has taught and lectured on drama and related subjects at other universities.

Review:

"Philip Freund has a style of lovely simplicity...the sure mark of a man who knows what he is doing."

About this edition

• Publisher: Peter Owen Publishers
• Publication date: 2003
• ISBN 10: 0720612020
• ISBN 13: 9780720612028
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 3
• Number of pages: 256