author : Grant L. Voth

This is the course guidebook that accompanies the 48 lecture “Great Course” of the same name. It is essentially an abbreviated transcript of each 30 minute lecture, a few pictures, some suggested reading, and a few questions to think about. (I watched the lectures, which is what I am reviewing here, and am using the book simply as an aide-memoire.)

Voth covers a vast swathe of literature, from Gilgamesh to Rushdie. The main focus is on Western works, but there are also lectures on prominent Indian, Chines, Japanese, and African authors.

It is interesting to see the progression in styles, as each innovation attempts to address a perceived or real problem with earlier traditions. It probably helps to have read the relevant material: I got more out of those lectures where I had. But actually, for the ones I hadn’t read, the lectures left me with more understanding of what was being done, and consequently no desire to go and read them!

This is the course guidebook that accompanies the 36 lecture “Great Course” of the same name. It is essentially an abbreviated transcript of each 30 minute lecture, a few pictures, some suggested reading, and a few questions to think about. (I watched the lectures, which is what I am reviewing here, and am using the book simply as an aide-memoire.)

Voth covers a wide range of creation myths, gods, goddesses, mythic heroes, tricksters, and mythic places. What is clear is how similar many of these myths are to each other, in theme when their origins are distant, in substance when their origins are nearby places. In particular, several of the myths of Egypt, the Middle East, and Ancient Greece are clearly the same story changed only a little over time.

It’s called a religion when you are in it, but a myth when looking from outside.