Don't Know Much About World Myths [Audiobook, Unabridged] [Audio CD]

Kenneth C. Davis (Author), Jason Harris (Reader), John Bedford Lloyd (Reader)

Book Description

Age Level: 8 and up | Grade Level: 3 and up | Series: Don't Know Much About...

Whether it's the popular adventures of Greek gods and goddesses, or African trickster tales, we all love to hear a good story. Bestselling author Kenneth C. Davis gives listeners a taste of world mythology in this diverse collection, arranged by geographical area.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 4-8–In his characteristic question-and-answer format, Davis takes on world myths and includes those of the South Pacific, Meso- and South America, and sub-Saharan Africa. The author touches on a number of stories and adventures from Aeneas to Enkidu and Gilgamesh to Shiva. However, the format, which may have served history or biography well, is a little out of place here. It interrupts the flow of language and story that is at the heart of myth. In his introduction, Davis relates how, as a fidgety fifth-grader, he was literally saved by a teacher who read aloud from The Odyssey. Readers would be well served to read that text or the D'Aulaires', books by Edith Hamilton, Joseph Bruchac, or John Bierhorst and, like fifth-grader Kenneth, be enchanted and informed by the myths themselves. There is a credible discussion of the differences among myth, legend, folktale, and fable; mythology, too, is identified as history, for that's what it was to many ancient peoples. Davis also weighs in on the universality of myth as one of the best ways to infer that we humans are more alike than different. Highlighted sidebars appear on almost every page–some are short summaries, some are links to other mythologies with common elements. Others give meanings to phrases and words like taboo and berserk that come from myth. All in all, this title serves as a kind of quick reference book–it helps situate a character, phrase, or idea. Once the identification is ascertained, direct readers to the real stuff.–Harriett Fargnoli, Great Neck Library, NY
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author

KENNETH C. DAVIS is the author of The New York Times bestselling DON'T KNOW MUCH ABOUT series for adults. Dubbed the "King of Knowledge" by Amazon.com, he lives in New York City and Vermont with his wife and their two children.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 8 and up
  
• Audio CD
• Publisher: Listening Library (Audio); Unabridged edition (November 8, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0307206351
• ISBN-13: 978-0307206350
• Product Dimensions: 5.7 x 4.9 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,224,145 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Ken Davis is the author of Don't Know Much About History, which spent 35 consecutive weeks on The New York Times bestseller list, and gave rise to the Don't Know Much About series, which has a combined in-print total of 4.3-million copies.Ken Davis has been dubbed The King of Knowing by Amazon.com because he becomes a subject expert in all of the areas he writes about; the Bible, Mythology, the Universe, the Civil War, for example. Ken has also been a Wise Man; on Who Wants to be a SuperMillionaire and a Life Line on the regular edition of the show. Ken Davis's success aptly makes the case that Americans don't hate history, just the dull version they slept through in class. But many of them want to know now because their kids are asking them questions they can't answer. Davis's approach is to refresh us on the subjects we should have learned in school. He does it by busting myths, setting the record straight and always remembering that fun is not a four-word letter word. A somewhat well-kept secret: Ken Davis never graduated from college, but he was awarded an honorary doctorate from Concordia College in Bronxville, where he was also asked to give a commencement address. Ken Davis is a frequent media guest. He has appeared on hundreds of television and radio shows, including NPR, The Today Show, Fox and Friends, CNN, and The Discovery Channel. He has been a commentator for All Things Considered, and has written for the New York Times. In addition to his adult titles, he writes the Don't Know Much About Children's series published by HarperCollins. He lives in New York with his wife. They have two grown children.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good Companion Book for More Complete Text, October 14, 2007

By 

S. Martens (Grand Rapids, MI) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Don't Know Much About World Myths (Paperback)

In my college survey course of world mythology, I use Davis' "Don't Know Much About World Myths" as a companion book to the excellent "World Mythology: The Illustrated Guide" by Roy Willis. Davis' short book (144 pages) obviously shouldn't substitute for a more comprehensive reading of world myths, but it is very helpful for seeing the big picture. It also correlates well with the topics and myths covered in Willis' book. Even though the stated level is grades 4-8, my college students say it gives them a good overview before getting more in-depth into the various cultures. The chapters correlate very well with Willis' book.

5.0 out of 5 stars Great even for adults, October 11, 2010

By 

tagnee - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Don't Know Much About World Myths (Paperback)

I bought this book for my 11 yr. old and I couldn't stop reading it, it is simple and easy to read.