Life Lessons from the Great Myths

By: J. Rufus Fears, The Great Courses

Narrated by: J. Rufus Fears

Length: 18 hrs and 22 mins

Publisher's summary

Change the way you think about some of the greatest stories ever told with this examination of the most important myths from more than 3,000 years of history. The ways in which the human imagination can transform historical events, people, and themes into powerful myths that endure through the ages is nothing short of awe-inspiring.

To examine the core of the world's greatest myths and tales is to confront some of history's most basic human truths. These 36 captivating lectures comprise a powerful work of storytelling prowess and historical insight, exploring events and individuals that so gripped civilizations, they transcended to the level of myth and played an important role in shaping culture, politics, religion, and more.

Looking at myths from ancient Greece and Rome, from the Near East and the Middle East, from early and modern Europe, and from the United States, Professor Fears shows how myths convey higher truths too profound to be described in ordinary language. Decoding them, Professor Fears reveals how they serve as enduring sources of wisdom. For example, the rich tapestry of supernatural events in the Epic of Gilgamesh provided support for Mesopotamian politics, including the need for a divinely appointed kingship. The furious battles in Beowulf played an important role in cementing Germanic ideas of courage, heroism, glory, and honor. And the dramatic last stand at the Battle of the Alamo emphasized for Americans that liberty is worth any price.

The search for wisdom is one of life's great purposes, and there is much wisdom to be gleaned from the world's great myths. By the final powerful and stirring lecture of this course, you're sure to find yourself wiser than you were before you started.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your Library section along with the audio.

©2011 The Teaching Company, LLC (P)2011 The Great Courses

Best one yet

I'd give it 10 stars if I could. great speaker. I wish he did more because I would get those as well.

Lots of lecturing, not much teaching

I listened to this as a part of the Crash Courses Mythology thing. At first I thought it would be a nice summarization of the things I learned from the other courses. However, it derails so completely from Classic Myth and World Myths that I am uncertain where Professor Fears gets his information from.

At first Professor Fears speaks at length about the Iliad and its status as a Great Book and the higher knowledge we receive from reading it. For instance, he claims that one of its major lessons is how terrible hubris is - thinking you know better than you actually do, and acting accordingly. He also says that the Iliad contains a "historical kernal of truth" - this will be an ongoing pattern.

Later he goes in some detail about a few other myths like Gilgamesh, but about halfway through the series he stops talking about ancient myths and begins talking about actual historical figures like Alexander the Great and Napoleon. The link between mythological truths and historical facts weakens until the professor is simply lecturing about the history of the United States without mentioning any mythology or stories at all.

One thing in particular that bothered me was that he makes a point of putting his personal views into the lectures which have very little bearing on the overall lesson. For instance, he claims that American culture will never die (in the form of rock and roll and McDonalds), and refers to any mention of Christianity as "right" and any mention of previous religions as "what they believed". I felt this glorification of his personal beliefs got in the way of the actual lessons, and made it more difficult to see what he was actually trying to teach.

Overall, I do not recommend this series if you are looking for a good introduction into mythology.

A Deep Analysis Highly Relevant to Current Events

I Loved J. Rufus Fears oration.
This lecture series is a great complement to The Heroes Journey. If you're a fan of that book, get this series. If you loved this series but have not yet read A Heroes Journey get that.

Timeless

If you could sum up Life Lessons from the Great Myths in three words, what would they be?

Provocative and relevant in the world today!

Have you listened to any of Professor J. Rufus Fears’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

They are all entertaining, informative and pertinent.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

so many situations were moving!

Any additional comments?

no

Don’t miss any of J. Rufus Fears’ lectures.

Fears consistently presents history, not just as a collection of dates and events, but as a moral guide guide calling out to us not to fall into these same snares. He, as the ancients did, saw history as a tool for developing individuals. As I understand he has passed on, I’m grateful to sit under his teaching, (thumbs up great courses) and look forward to any archived material released in the future.

Another fabulous course by Dr. Fears

I've recently discovered JRF and have been working my way through his oeuvre. This course is superb. He is analytical and insightful. His voice is a pleasure to listen to.

This Course Aged Strangely

There are multiple occasions where the lecturer speaks about economics where he doesn’t really know what he’s talking about, but as it’s outside of his expertise it isn’t super egregious. Comparing the modern United States economy to that of the Roman Empire is just not a very apt comparison for a number of reasons.

What is a bit more concerning is when he seems to quite purposefully editorialize historical topics and leave out facts that don’t quite shine with the same colors he’s attempting to paint a narrative with.

Just off the top of my head:

1. While he’s right about Troy, there is still nothing to support the existence of Romulus as a historical figure, and most of the myths about him can be dated to the second century BC.

2. The Roman Empire did fall because of economic reasons. They stopped expanding not because of some arbitrary decision, but because there were concrete barriers that made it impossible.

3. Reagan’s economic policies were likely less impactful to both growth and inflation than the actions of the Federal Reserve over the same period of time, but there’s still a lot of debate over this, my issue is more making unequivocal normative statements about a topic where there isn’t actually consensus.

4. LBJ didn’t start the war in Vietnam. JFK started and escalated war in Vietnam.

5. He credulously repeats the whole “Jackson fought the national bank to help the poors” thing that has been mythologized despite it being a horrible decision that made a lot of people worse off.

6. The Texas secession from Mexico was much more about slavery than it was about ideas of freedom or ideals about right and wrong, and while focusing on the Alamo alone would’ve been appropriate to the scope of the course, I’m not sure that completely neglecting to mention slavery was a reasonable editorial decision. The secession of Texas was not as high-minded as the American Revolution was.

Overall, pretty weird course. Like 80% of it was very interesting as a study of the morals and lessons of the Classics, something this professor actually has expertise in, and about 20% a smattering of stories about predominantly American figures that the professor personally seems to think are cool.

The 80% was much better material to learn from.

Excellent content and performance

Another set of very deep stories narrated in an unparalleled way! Amazing book to hear against and again. I fully suggest to listen to it and look for other books of the series too

Engaging and thought provoking

Highly recommended

The depth and breath of knowledge conveyed is breathtaking and cause for much discussion

RUFUS FEARS ....You are missed

I first got into the great courses when I was at wounded warrior battalion. I had heard about it on YouTube. I saw my first lecture series and it was taught by Rufus fears and I have been a fan ever since. Not every lecture series is on the great courses plus, I don't fully understand why but for whatever reason this one wasn't so I have pleased that looked for it and purchased it. You will learn a lot, gain what I consider valuable information, and you will learn from, whom I consider, one of the best teachers.