A Short History of Myth: The Myths

I loved this book, but the final chapter on the modern era is missing on the audio version

In less than 3 hrs, Karen Armstrong exposes the essential theories of modern scholarship in the history of religion: How myth came about? What purpose it serves in human life? An excellent introduction to the beginner and an elegant summary to the expert. Sandra Burr, the narrator, is marvelous: clear and not hurried. I wish she read more non-fiction. But the paper book is 7 chapters, and this audio hopes that I enjoyed the recording after chapter 6!

I found this audio book difficult to listen to because of the narration. She spoke very slowly and over-pronounced every single word.

As for the book itself, I didn't really enjoy it, partly because it seemed to come to a lot of conclusions about myth's history and origins and the way our ancestors thought based on very little evidence. Also, she seemed to keep saying the sames things over and over again and didn't really offer a lot of substance.

That said, this is my first Karen Armstrong book and I am still definitely planning on reading more of her books. But I found this audio book very unsatisfying.

The title promises to be a short history of myth, and delivers on that. I just wish that there was more to the myths of the 20th century, which could have been expanded upon. But overall, it is a nice and compact exploration into the reasons why people tell stories.

Yes, definitely. I learned a great deal about the subject.

The whole book!

N/A

Yes but I did not. But I have gone back over parts.

Armstrong is an engaging writer who makes her subject come alive. All of her books provide important learning experiences. I think everyone should read them all and I recommend them to my friends at every opportunity.

After reading some of the reviews for this book, I didn't expect much but in all, I found the book to be better than those reviews that I read. I thought this book was interesting, educational and historical and I may even listen to it again at another time.

As usual, Karen Armstrong delivers the goods as she explains how humankind's beliefs in the gods have changed as his way of life shifted, while the need to believe persists throughout history. I specially liked that although she used to be a Catholic nun she does not moralize or make a case for monotheism vs polytheism.

I thought it would bridge the gap between myths and science. It is only about myths.