Customer Reviews

The World of Classical Myth: Gods and Goddesses, Heroines and Heroes

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is a fine survey and analysis of Greek mythology. The matter-of-fact balanced integration of the entheogen aspect of myth is noteworthy. This clear, straightforward book is a good college textbook.

I took a class with Prof Ruck at Boston University, and found it absolutely amazing. In fact a lot of what I learned in his class I later applied to my novel PRETTY GIRLS MAKE GRAVES (especially the story of Medusa). I use this book as a sort of encyclopedia, and it IS impressive how expansive it is, but some figures are just mentioned/glazed over. The book would really benefit by having a glossary/index of figures. That said, as a companion book for Prof Ruck's class, it's perfect as you can directly ask him to expand on anything, but as a stand-alone book, this isn't quite the end-all encyclopedia of mythology.

As a Classics instructor for 30 years, I can affirm that Ruck's text is the first choice for a penetrating and insightful survey of classical myth. It is one thing to catalogue the myths, as do Morford and Lenardon--but another altogether to explain their context and meaning. This is the book that does. Ruck ranks with M.L.West in insight and comprehension.

"The World of Classical Myth" has been selected for listing in "Religion and Psychoactive Sacraments: An Entheogen Chrestomathy" http://www.csp.org/chrestomathy