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Don't Know Much About Mythology
Everything You Need to Know About the Greatest Stories in Human History but Never Learned
1 of 2 copies available
In his irreverent and popular question-and-answer style, Davis introduces and explains the great myths of the world. Ever familiar and instructive, Davis shows why the ancient tales of gods and heroes 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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Creators
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Series
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Publisher
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Release date
November 8, 2005 -
Formats
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OverDrive Listen audiobook
- ISBN: 9780739345993
- File size: 585760 KB
- Duration: 20:20:19
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Languages
- English
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Reviews
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When author Kenneth Davis asks and answers questions about the myths themselves-the weird stories, the odd names, and the animals created by mix and match-the Don't Know Much About format works well. In these sections John Lee's delivery is lively. The brief "mythic voices" sections, which share translated portions of the actual myths, provide a nice rhythm. However, despite Lee's informed but conversational delivery, the book drags at times. Davis's theoretical explanations of mythology are wordy and lack rhythm. There's nothing Lee can do to make these sections easy listening, and when Lee reads one of Davis's timelines, it becomes nothing more than a recitation of facts. G.T.B. (c) AudioFile 2006, Portland, Maine -
When you hear an old, old story, do you know the fundamental things that apply? Kenneth C. Davis retells ancient myths and legends, explaining the cultures in which they developed and relating them to life today. John Lee reads with an authoritative British voice but brings with it a humor that makes the relationships Davis draws plausible -- as when he explains that you couldn't go into a bar on a Friday night, have a beer, and ask a potential date, "What's your sign?" without the Mesopotamians, who invented the days of the week, beer, and astrology. The material is familiar to anyone who's taken a mythology class, but it's a fun refresher or introduction for newcomers. J.A.S. (c) AudioFile 2006, Portland, Maine
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Starred review from September 5, 2005
What is a myth? How does it differ from legend, fairy tale and allegory? Do myths cross cultures? Davis (Don't Know Much About the Civil War
) answers these and many other questions with his characteristic humor and charming storytelling. He examines the myths created by societies ranging from Egypt, Greece and Rome to Africa, India and the Americas, proceeding, as in his other books, by way of question and answer as he surveys each mythmaking culture. A who's who for each culture is also helpful. He shows the connections between myths of various cultures, such as the flood story of Noah in Genesis and that of the Mesopotamian Epic of Gilsh. Among the questions and answers, Davis intersperses "mythic voices" from characters in the stories so readers can virtually hear the heroes of bygone eras. Because Davis ranges widely and with such sparkling wit through a broad sweep of myths, his survey provides a superb starting point for entering the world of mythology. Agent, David Black.
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