Primitive Mythology

The Masks of God Series, Volume I

By: Joseph Campbell, David Kudler - editor

Narrated by: Arthur Morey

Length: 19 hrs and 1 min

Publisher's Summary

The author of such acclaimed books as The Hero With a Thousand Faces and The Power of Myth discusses the primitive roots of mythology, examining them in light of the most recent discoveries in archaeology, anthropology, and psychology.

©1959, 1969 Joseph Campbell, renewed 1987 by Joseph Campbell (P)2017 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved

Epic speculation into the origins of our mythic consciousness

Although a bit dated in its archeological science I see this book as a must read for any person interested in our primitive origins or in Campbell’s herculean grasp of world mythology. I have been waiting many years for The Masks of God series to be released on audiobook and Arthur Morey does an excellent job bringing new life and nobility to Campbells words. This book is challenging and requires a tough stomach for the passages on the brutal themes of sacrifice and the overall ruthlessness of prehistoric life. Not “nerfed up” for the sensitive new age types or the new "intellectuals" that embrace the current fashion of identity politics but is nourishing for any individual looking for the spiritual truth and wisdom beyond the dogma of religion and tribalism.

You don’t know Campbell until you read and reread The hero with a thousand faces and then the masks of god. The density of metaphor and references is staggering - so much so that I found myself re-listening to passages and chapter, even sentences over and over again. This i have to admit was very frustrating indeed but ultimately was a well earned rewarding experience!

Small sample from the intro to Primitive Mythology below..

”Clearly, mythology is no toy for children. Nor is it a matter of archaic, merely scholarly concern, of no moment to modern men of action. For its symbols (whether in the tangible form of images or in the abstract form of ideas) touch and release the deepest centers of motivation, moving literate and illiterate alike, moving mobs, moving civilizations.”
-Joseph Campbell


Thank you Audible for providing this title!

Buy the newer stuff.

They tried to update it but it just isn’t worth listening to. I own over 900 titles. I’d return it but they won’t let me b/c of the high ratings I assume. I rated it a 1 to save someone else the wasted credit. It’s probably about a 2 overall tbh. The newer stuff is great. This might be useful as a historical reference to Campbell’s growth as a writer and philosopher but it’s not 5-stars…

Great

Great book and great recording. I am glad they are reissuing these classics in literary criticism with editors notes to update them.

Ultimate Observer

Joseph Campbell called himself a Maverick. He dedicated his life to being the Ultimate Observer. This book is one volume of his observation into primitive mythology. This book is a reference of evidence, mythology, stories, religions and cultures throughout large spans of the ancient human timeline.

More uncovered treasures

More uncovered treasures in The Masks of God - Primitive Mythology Volume I - by the great Joseph Campbell and exquistely narrated by Arthur Morey. In Primitive Mythology he deals with the early human psyché - the primordial longings, fears, vanities and the innate hunger for meaning and truth – the nature of our internal cosmos. Ireland's mythological cycle and the associated places is discussed briefly among many other early myths from across our planet. Campbell also refererences his literary hero James Joyce as is his wont. The range and depth of material here is astounding in this enthralling book from the foremost 20th Century scholar of comparative world mythology. An ocean of knowlege is condensed into 19 hrs. Cambell deals with mythic patterns of narrative and also many accompanying rituals some of which are disdurbing and cruel. Again, he treats of his recurrent theory, ‘man’s one great story’, which we all know has many regional variations and local twists and turns. I have listened to other classics by Joseph Campbell such as The Mythic Dimension, Mythic Imagination, The Hero with a Thousand Faces, The Wisdom of Joseph Campbell and, like those, this is an audio book I will return to again to be instructed further each time by a brilliant thinker. One listen is never enough. Campell brings insights from the world of archeology, anthropology and psychology to inform and enhance his excavations down to the very roots of our collective concience and to reveal with clarity the universal function of mythology.