Creation Stories of the Middle East [Paperback]

Ewa Wasilewska (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 15, 2001

Creation Stories of the Middle Eastis a comprehensive study of the myths about the beginnings of the cosmos, earth and humankind in Ancient Mesopotamia, Ancient Egypt, Anatolia, Syria-Palestine and Persia. A vast range of original texts in English translation are presented in this book. Reference is also made to archaeological and other data, including folk tales, in order to set the stories in their historical and religious context.

This book will provide the reader with general information concerning the emergence and development of each and every culture whose stories will be presented and discussed. Central creation themes will be analyzed, such as preexistence, creation of the universe from the watery chaos/order, division, order of creation, time frame, emergence of humankind, gender roles and incest, paradise and destruction. While many books and articles have been written on the subject of creation stories of the Middle East, this is the first work which demonstrates and explains the evolution of these stories from ca. 3400 B.C. to modern times.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Ewa Wasilewska is Adj. Asst. Professor in the Department of Anthropology at the University of Utah, Salt Lake City. She has conducted extensive fieldwork in the Middle East, Eastern Europe and Central Asia. She is also a freelance writer and photographer.

Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Jessica Kingsley Pub; 1 edition (January 15, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1853026816
• ISBN-13: 978-1853026812
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.2 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,989,207 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Creation Stories made simple, October 25, 2001

By 

Nicole L Bell (Sandy, UT United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Creation Stories of the Middle East (Paperback)

I have been waiting for this book for over a year! I am of course bias, I have had Ewa as a professor for 4 classes. The book is a great, not only is it informative but it also gives a lot of Ewa's humor. Even if I weren't in Ewa's class I would probably still read the book. (Of course I am really into mythology!)
This book is not nearly as academic as most books on this subject. The book is easy to understand, well as easy as mytholgy is to understand. She doesn't show of by making obscure references or using really big words.
I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys mythology or is intreseted in the Middle East. Actually I recommend that everyone take a class from Ewa but since that's not possible try reading her book.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book, June 14, 2007

By 

H. Norris "theslownorris" (USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Creation Stories of the Middle East (Paperback)

I have taken two classes from Professor Wasilewska and have enjoyed her classes very much. If I had longer to spend in school, I would take more of her classes. That being said this book stands on its own for content. She indeed has mind wrapped around the subject and provides a study on the subject that is both educated and not pretentious. This is book worth every penny and is a volume that you will enjoy time and time again. This book is content rich. And by this, I don't mean it is a book written with an unrealistic point to prove, that confuses points under mile long sentences and too many words. This is refreshing in today's world of contemporary works that are more words than sustance.

If you are interested in a book, written by someone who has dedicted her life to a deep and honest scholarly understanding of the subject, this is your book.