Folklore, Myths, and Legends : A World Perspective [Paperback]

Glencoe McGraw-Hill (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0844257842 | ISBN-13: 978-0844257846 | Publication Date: February 12, 2001 | Edition: 1

Folklore, Myths, and Legends: A World Perspective contains world masterpieces including Prometheus, Faust, the Shahnemeh and the Mahabharata in a retold format that gives your students all the flavor of the original work in an easy-to-understand presentation. Contained within this text are historical and cultural background information for each selection and detailed source notes.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Rosenberg (World Literature, NTC, 1995) offers a basic introduction and anthology of retold folktales, myths, and legends directed to the reader who is new to the cultural implications and nuances of these genres. Although these 120 tales from Africa, the Middle East, Europe, the Americas, and the Far East have been orally transmitted through the centuries, they are still suitable for the repertoires of contemporary storytellers and useful for comparative tale studies. Story subjects include everyday life, parents and children, and wise and foolish beings and encompass occupations, parables, trickster tales, animal stories, hero tales, and narratives of rebellion and conformity. Each topic is preceded by invaluable historical and cultural background on the motifs and subjects of the tales. Recommended for academic and larger public libraries.?Richard K. Burns, Hatboro, Pa.
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author

McGraw-Hill authors represent the leading experts in their fields and are dedicated to improving the lives, careers, and interests of readers worldwide --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 536 pages
• Publisher: Glencoe/McGraw-Hill; 1 edition (February 12, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0844257842
• ISBN-13: 978-0844257846
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.9 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #959,957 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Diverse selection, horrible interpretations, November 20, 2006

By 

Rev. Samuel Herschel "S.H." (Miami, FL) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Folklore, Myths, and Legends (Paperback)

We used this book as the text for our Mythology class. On the outside it looks like an OK book: encompassing both classic European myths with African, Asian, and Middle Eastern myths, with generous examples from each region.

However, the stories are very poorly written; it is obvious that Mrs. Rosenberg is not an author. That's fine, stick to what you're good at, but don't mangle another classic myth, please. Her diction and syntax is very simple, and her attempts at metaphors are laughable. Plus, if I have to hear the phrase "and so it came to pass" one more time, I'm going to scream. The line must appear in each story no less than 10 times.

If you want to read up on mythology, buy translations of Homer and Ferdowsi and Goethe. If this book is assigned to you as a textbook, good luck.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Contains Some Items of Interest..., March 20, 2009

By 

Arcturus70 "Arcturus70" (In the Orion Spur of the Milky Way Galaxy) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Folklore, Myths, and Legends (Paperback)

I have used this book in mythology / folklore classes before as a textbook with success. (I admit to using other books to supplement my lesson plans though--such as illustrated mythology volumes and Campbell's "The Power of Myth"!) There are some dry, tedious parts of the book as the other reviewer who posted before me suggests. However, in my experience, many students have enjoyed the following story selections--most probably because the stories were new to their experiences and the stories appealed to their interests:

"The Creation of Human Beings," pages 4-6 [Shiluk Myth / Africa]
Quoted from tale: And as Juok wandered, he said to himself, "The earth will be a better place if I fashion human beings, both men and women, out of the different soils that I have created" (5). Makes for interesting class discussions regarding other world creation myths and diversity!

"The Woman With One Hand," pages 18-27" [A Swahili Tale / Africa]
So, what's the best inheritance: parents' property or blessings? This story exams this human situation through the relationship of a selfish brother and a selfless sister.

"The Craftman's Wife," pages 88-93 [A Jewish Folktale Featuring King Solomon]
A clever woman outwits the wise King and proves her love and loyalty to her husband.

"Rostam, Shield of Persia" and "The Tragedy of Sohrab," pages 94-157 [Two Persian legends] Like an ancient "Luke Skywalker" or "Harry Potter," Sohrab is "...born with the mark of a hero upon him..." and to know himself, he must know his father, Rostam.

"Osin Mac Finn, Poet of the Fianna," pages 178-203 [Celtic Tale]
An ancient superhero experiences various adventures, including the "Land of Youth."

"The Little Frog," pages 300-313 [A popular folktale from Chile]
Three sons embark on adventures to seek their fortunes and characters, each with their father's blessing. This includes interesting lessons about acceptance and love.

"The Tiger's Whisker," pages 432-441 [A Korean tale with an important lesson in love and patience] Yun Ok's husband has returned home scared and mentally affected by war. The woman wants to win back the affections of the man she loves; however, she needs one ingredient, the whisker of a living tiger, for a magic potion that will help her on this question.

___

Other stories in this book that may be of interest to certain readers:

"Anansi, The Clever One"
"Prometheus, The Fire Bringer"
"Saga of Gunnlaug Serpent-Tongue"
"Doctor Faust"
"Rip Van Winkle"
"Savitri"

The book has a general table of contents based on geography and a thematic one based on themes in world literature---such as creation, culture heros, death, love, tricksters / clever beings, etc. It may not be the best folklore collection available, but there are some elements of value here for those willing to overlook the book's weaknesses. My advice is to try before you buy if you can... :) Your local library may have a copy.

I would question the reading levels (Ages 9 to 12) stated here on Amazon. Some parents and teachers may feel that a few of these stories would not be appropriate for young children.