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Summary: The best book I have ever read!
Review: All I wish is for everyone in the world to read this book in order to understand how humble, greatful and moved I felt(still feeling) after reading this book. Whe you read this book make sure you are prepare to a marvelous journey into the deepest part of yourself. God must of given Mr.Campbell the gift of understanding life and also the gift of shearing those experiences. wow!
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Summary: A GREAT BOOK!!!
Review: I have read my copy three times now, and each time I have gained new insights, and uncovered more of my self. Joseph Campbell has said that the hero's journey always begins with a call. For many, this book may help you hear that call. Light bulbs will go off when you read this book. For those of you familiar with Campbell's work, you know what I mean. For those of you who don't, find out!! "We must be willing to get rid of the life we've planned, so as to have the life that is waiting for us." -- Joseph Campbell "The heroic life is living the individual adventure." -- Joseph Campbell
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Summary: The Book I Quote Most Often
Review: I know of no set of readings produced in the 20th Century that can so certainly be read again and again with new life during every reading. Just the set of quotations from Campbell at the beginning of the book are worth its price. Buy the hardback, ribboned edition for you will be reading and referring to this volume again and again.
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Summary: The Privilege of a Lifetime....
Review: I was first introduced to this book after I had knee surgery and was forced to lay on my butt and keep relatively inactive. I have to admit, I was feeling a little sorry for myself thinking and feeling that somehow I was being cheated by the universe in some way. So my friend comes over with this book and starts reading me sections out of it... He reads outloud, "The privilege of a lifetime is being who you are..." Immediately my consciousness elevated. I said, "What did you just say?" He repeated, "The privilege of a lifetime is being who you are..." "Oh, my...that's an amazing thought...oh, I really like that..." And even though he continued to read on, my mind and my heart stayed with that one nugget of pure gold. I let this idea permeate my whole being. It was just what I needed to hear. My surgery was not about punishment, it was about using it in a way that would/could serve me in greater ways than I was able to forsee at the time. My friend left and I immediately hobbled over to the computer and ordered this book. In about three days (interesting symbology itself) it arrived and I began to not just read this book but devour it with all of my heart, mind, and soul. I really feel that the essence behind the words contributed greatly to my healing...not just with my knee, but in other areas that I might have previously let go unaddressed. I give copies of this book to people for their birthdays and I always inscribe this message, "....because the privilege of a lifetime is being exactly who and what you are!" Let this and the other wondrous truths that can be discovered in this beautiful book sink into your mind, your heart, and soul.Remind yourself that it is a privilege of a lifetime to be who you are and then attempt to realize with real eyes that this is the truth of everyone and everything despite what the appearances may look like! Facts change but the Truth lives on forever...
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Summary: The Divine Lives Within You
Review: It is helpful if the reader already has an appreciation for the author's breadth and depth of understanding of mythology before beginning A JOSEPH CAMPBELL COMPANION. It is particularly useful if one is familiar with Campbell's belief that certain mythic motifs are found in virtually all of the world's traditions. Much of A JOSEPH CAMPBELL COMPANION is written in the easy conversational style of the author . It is highly readable and relies very little on scholarly jargon. The parts of the book I find most interesting are those pages devoted to a discussion of Buddhism and the relevance of some of its teachings for all of us.
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Summary: books to live by
Review: Normally avoiding these types of "companion" works, I usually prefer the complete books and/or essay collections of such seminal thinkers as Campbell. Not so in this case. This work proves to be an elegant, comprehensive tour of the mind of the really important J.C. I was surprised to come across as many typos as I did, but this did not terribly distract from an otherwise awesome book, certainly not enough to avoid giving it a five-star rating.
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Summary: The Joseph Campbell Companio
Review: Outstanding. This is my Bible. Unbelievable wealth of things to read and re-read for the rest of your life. His best work by far. Almost as good is his 5-tape series hosted by Susan Sarandon and much, much better than his 6-tape set with Bill Moyers which is an elementary introduction to Campbell. Moyers tried hard but couldn't seem to get his brain around Campbell's message. Anyone who wants to be fully engrossed in Campbell can do so with the Sarandon tape series and this book. A rare jewel.
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Summary: A great start on your journey to Joe Campbell & your bliss!
Review: This is a great introduction to, or summation of, Campbell's works. Most of his works are extreemly deep and can be difficult to reach but well worth the effort. If you really want to probe the deapths of Campbell's work but are intimidated by his other books, this will give you a great overview and fire your desire to dig deeper. I have read all of Campbell's books. The amount and breadth of the information and thier implications is staggering. The most amazing thing about this book is that I would have chosen almost exactly the same summative material for this type of book as did Osborn. My background is steeped in science--Osborn's in poetry. Yet we found the same "song of the universe" within Campbell's works. Why? Because the song is transparent to the transendent and there for the everyone.
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Summary: And all because he followed his bliss....
Review: This is an extremely well edited version of Campbell's Esalen Institute lectures with some well selected supplimental material from other sources thrown in. It would be worth reading simply for the revelation that Campbell hung out with John Steinbeck and Doc Rickets during the Great Depression. In fact, that great, wild party described in _Cannery Row_ actually happened- it was being held in honor of Joe Campbell! Somehow I find it entirely appropriate that Steinbeck and Campbell should be connected.
I personally found another personal revelation interesting, namely, that Campbell never bothered to obtain a Ph.D. He felt that it would "interfere with his reading" and he simply didn't want to waste his time with it. Yet, he still serendipitously found a position as a college professor and became one of the most influential thinkers of the twentieth century. And all because he followed his bliss- and the universe cooperated.
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Summary: The Truth may set you free but first it will piss you off!
Review: This is one of the most challenging, thought provoking, mind bending, and soul calling books I have ever read. Campbell is so entertaining in his ability to simplify complex religious and social structures that it is not important to already know about the Far East, the Near East, or your local Baptist church, he brings it all into focus on a common human level. I found this book disturbing in it's ability to draw me into the wonder of being human and how utterly connected we all are. It's the kind of book that you can open to any page, read only a few lines, and be pulled into a thought that will chase you the whole day. Campbell is pithy, humorous, practical, fact filled, and inspiring. If you enjoy thinking about God, the nature of being human, or politics, BUY THIS BOOK!!!! You won't be sorry.
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