The Power of Myth: Programs 1-6

By: Joseph Campbell, Bill Moyers

Narrated by: Joseph Campbell, Bill Moyers

Length: 5 hrs and 33 mins

Publisher's summary

An exhilarating journey into the mind and spirit of a remarkable man, a legendary teacher, and a masterful storyteller, conducted by TV journalist Bill Moyers for their acclaimed PBS series.

Program One: "The Hero's Adventure"
Program Two: "The Message of the Myth"
Program Three: "The First Storytellers"
Program Four: "Sacrifice and Bliss"
Program Five: "Love and the Goddess"
Program Six: "Masks of Eternity"

©1988 Apostrophe S Productions. All rights reserved (P)2001 HighBridge Company

Critic reviews

"Those familiar with the six-part PBS series on Joseph Campbell will especially enjoy this audio production. Moyers follows the same format as the TV series: The journalist plies the tuning fork to the teacher's mind, and we listen as Campbell waxes rhapsodic on the hero, the nature of myth, storytelling, the goddess, and finally what we understand of eternity. The dialogue, like the video, is filled with Campbell's wonderful stories and punctuated with illustrative sound clips, ranging from Star Wars to the Oum prayer of Tibetan monks. This production goes into greater depth than the video text, focusing more on Campbell's exciting ideas than his personality and work. Dialogue, of course, is the best format for ideas, and Campbell's insights into myth and religion are a most refreshing response to our age, so deeply troubled with the clashing voices of religious fundamentalism. Let's listen again to Joseph Campbell." (AudioFile)

For Mythology and Hero lovers

I was first introduced to this guy in a mythology class and I was instantly enthralled. Campbell follows yesterdays myths and points out how much many of our stories are influenced by world mythology today. Specifically he talks about heroes and themes. If you are a superhero fan, he even touches on myths that influenced characters like superman.

The format is that of an interview, where Campbell is asked questions that lead deeper and deeper into discussion. The six parts build on the information of the previous, but the information isn't and overload to the beginners mind.

I highly recommend this listen for anyone who has ever wondered, 'Hey, I wonder how people come up with these ideas.' It's fascinating to trace the influence on The Lord of the Rings and the graphic novel hero.

Best Introduction to Joseph Campbell

This is an outstanding audiobook. The conversations between Bill Moyers and Joseph Campbell are memorable and historical. This is what excellent interviewing is all about. Note that this was made for TV around the time of Star Wars so you will find excellent discussions on Star Wars, but also some sound bytes from when they were showing Stars Wars clips on TV that detract from the text. If anything, I found the sound bytes humorous.

BTW, I had tried reading Campbell before and I could not get into him. I tried listening to another Campbell interview and it wasn't nearly as good. After listening to this on Audible, I became hooked by Joseph Campbell. He offers life lessons for people of all ages, and this is absolutely worth one credit. He will encourage you to Follow Your Bliss.

Wisdom to go!

I have enjoyed Joseph Campbell for a number of years and this is a wonderful experience to listen to him and bill. A recording to experience over an over.

Enlightening

I am so glad I found this through reading Sarah Jensen's "A Perfect Union of Contrary Things" with Maynard James Keenan. Highly recommend these entrancingly intellectual interviews to anyone with an open mind to the spiritual, the collective consciousness, and seeking the meaning of life.

Brilliant...Moyers and Campbell...

What a delight to listen to the marvelous wisdom from the joyful lips of the genuine article...a real hero. Thank you both!

A must read! I revisit it at least annually!

Everyone should read this. It is so deeply meaningful and for me, reaffirms the universality of the human condition.

Enthralling

The subject of myth and archetypes has always been fascinating. Between the works of Joseph Campbell and Mircea Eliade, you will be busy for months. Studying this topic will help a person understand the world around them much better and also identify the common themes throughout religions and peoples across different periods of time and varied places.

More coherent than other works, accessible

Bill Moyers’ brilliant questions and interview techniques take the dialogue out of the esoteric and free flowing of other Joe Campbell works to present a much more assessable work. Myth is “brought home” to more pragmatic considerations - marriage, feminism, Star Wars, religion.

simply Brilliant

Joseph Campbell is truly in a league of his own. He is one of my favorite scholars. I continue to learn from him.

Truly Awesome

Awesome in every way the manner in which they explain the concepts and theories is breathtaking!