The Hero’s Journey

– Joseph Campbell on His Life and Work

In this book, The Hero’s Journey – Joseph Campbell on His Life and Work, you get glimpse into the life of the man who is widely credited with bringing mythology to a mass audience. Joseph Campbell is one of the greatest mythologist of the twentieth century, and also an extraordinary storyteller.

The book interweaves conversations between Joseph Campbell and some of the people he inspired, including poet Robert Bly, anthropologist Angeles Arrien, filmmaker David Kennard, Doors drummer John Densmore, psychiatric pioneer Stanislov Grof, Nobel laureate Roger Guillemen, and others.

An excerpt from the book:

“– Mythology is a function of biology. The function of myth is to put man in accord with nature. And the function of art is to bring out the grand lines of nature. Life is not a problem to be solved, but a mystery to be lived. You are the mystery which you are seeking to know.. – “

In the book, The Hero’s Journey, Campbell reflects on subjects ranging from the origins and functions of myth, the role of the artist, and the need for ritual to the ordeals of love and romance. With poetry and humor, Campbell recounts his own quest and conveys the excitement of his lifelong exploration of our mythic traditions, what he called “the one great story of mankind.”

Read. Reflect. Repeat.

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