An Open Life: Joseph Campbell in conversation with Michael Toms (Paperback)

~ Michael Toms (Author) "MICHAEL: We tend to use the word "myth" to mean something that is untrue or an erheld belief..." (more)
Key Phrases: trickster hero, mythic image, Waste Land, New York, Finnegans Wake (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Toms, host of the radio series "New Dimensions," interviewed Joseph Campbell a number of times over ten years. This book is compiled from transcripts of nine of these interviews. While the content is similar to Campbell and Moyers's The Power of Myth (Doubleday, 1988), Toms takes a more conversational approach than did Moyers, making the text easier for the general reader. As a result, this is a good book to recommend to younger readers who might find The Power of Myth too erudite, though unfortunately, it has no illustrations. For any library where there is demand for materials by and about Campbell. Lucy Patrick, Strozier Lib., Florida Univ., Tallahassee
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Description

In the tradition of The Power of Myth, a conversation with Joseph Campbell that distills the mature wisdom and eclectic spiritual thinking of the world-renowned scholar and mythologist.

Product Details

• Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: Harper Perennial; 1 edition (May 23, 1990)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060972955
• ISBN-13: 978-0060972950
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5.2 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 0.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #302,146 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Joseph's Own Words--So RELEVANT And Helpful Today!, December 13, 2004

By	Phil Davidson (Madison, WI, USA) - See all my reviews

I love to listen to Joseph Campbell, and this book is the next best thing to that. The questions are insighful, and of course Joseph is as relevant today as when he was interviewed. This book includes conversations over many sittings and a great many interesting topics.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Warm and accessible, September 6, 2007

By	Anita Spinella "aussieneet" (Southern California, USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Michael Toms in his introduction to this book states that Campbell "possessed the rare gift of distilling wisdom from a bottomless well of information and knowledge". I would agree and add further that it was also Michael Tom's own high level of knowledge and (more importantly) his warm and genial personality that make this series of interviews more like a fireside dialogue.

Campbell was (and still is) considered one of the greatest scholars of mythology possessing a blazing and intuitive mind. That he was able to communicate his specialist knowledge with an attitude of joy and fun is remarkable. These conversations are also available via audio file, where Campbell's Homeric laugh is a tonic, and Tom's gentle tones are a pleasure. Making fertile work of such topics as literature, philosophy, politics, religion, love, and the great angst of humanity - the meaning of life - this book never preaches, is devoid of dogma and is a pure joy to read.

I recommend it to anyone.

4.0 out of 5 stars Joseph Campbell and spiritual development, May 29, 2009

By	Closet Poet (Central Valley CA) - See all my reviews

Michael Toms' conversation with Joseph Campbell holds up well and provides a wide-ranging exploration of Campbell's evolving views on spirituality and development. Campbell was truly a remarkable and extraordinary human being who followed his bliss all his life and was willing to share his insights.
This title is a classic for anyone who has any interest in Joseph Campbell's work.