Don't Know Much About Mythology

Everything You Need to Know About the Greatest Stories in Human History but Never Learned

By: Kenneth C. Davis

Narrated by: John Lee, Lorna Raver

Length: 20 hrs and 20 mins

Publisher's summary

It has been 15 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.

©2005 Kenneth C. Davis (P)2005 Random House, Inc.

Critic reviews

"Ranges widely and with such sparkling wit....A superb starting point for entering the world of mythology." (Publishers Weekly)

I Stopped Listening

I enjoyed reading "Don't Know Much About History" a few years ago, but listening to a book in this format is something entirely different. I couldn't get in to it and after a few hours I gave up on this book and wished I had picked something else.

Disappointment

I expected to hear myths from around the world that explain how the world works. What I got was a history lesson about the uselessness of religion. Many of the myths were filled with stories about sex acts, genitals, incest, and well you get the picture. I hoped it would get better, but it didn’t. A far cry from books I read about myths when I was growing up.

Kenneth C. Davis - Narrate Your Own Books

What disappointed you about Don't Know Much About Mythology?

John Lee, the narrator has a wonderful voice, but I bought this book based on the sound of Kenneth C. Davis' enthusiastic introduction. I love this topic. i have scores of books and not a few audiobooks on mythology. I was looking forward to 20 hours of recounts and reflections on some of the greatest stories ever told, and in the voice of a fellow enthusiast, not in the voice of a classically trained actor doing a job...however good a job that might be.

Who would you have cast as narrator instead of John Lee and Lorna Raver ?

Kenneth C. Davis

Did they read the same part multiple times?

The first couple of times I heard the them repeat a myth/story, I thought I had accidently "rewound" the audio book. I would have enjoyed this if they did not repeat things over and over and over again. I assume it is the author and not the same section of audio book being re-read.