A Short History of Myth by Karen Armstrong

Title: A Short History of Myth
Author: Karen Armstrong
Type: Audiobook
Narrator: Sandra Burr
Genre: History
Series: Canongate Myths #1
Copyright: 2006
Publisher: Brilliance Corporation
Rating: 3.5 out of 5


Summary: From GoodReads

What are myths? How have they evolved? And why do we still so desperately need them? The history of myth is the history of humanity; our stories and beliefs, our curiosity and attempts to understand the world, link us to our ancestors and each other. Myths help us make sense of the universe. Armstrong takes us from the Palaeolithic period and the myths of the hunters right up to the "Great Western Transformation" of the last five hundred years and the discrediting of myth by science. Heralding a major series of retellings of international myths by authors from around the world, Armstrong's characteristically insightful and eloquent book serves as a brilliant and thought-provoking introduction to myth in the broadest sense - and why we dismiss it only at our peril. 

Witty, informative and contemplative: Ms. Armstrong can simplify complex ideas, but she is never simplistic. - New York Times Book Review 

Armstrong writes with sensitivity and wisdom. She employs a breadth of learning that reflects the scintillating, shifting light and shade of human experience. - The Times

Feelings: 
I thought that the early history of myth that was included in here was information. It disused parts of myth that I was unfamiliar with. The discussions of what myth meant to early civilizations reflect what many in current times are lacking. Armstrong looks at myth up through 2000 and how the scientific revolution that started with philosophers trying to rationalize everything began the dismantling of myth and the significance it played in our lives.

Myths were not to be taken as the literal truth but as a guide for us an example we could live up to. Once literal truth was place on myths they started to be pushed aside. Christianity was based on myth and Armstrong discusses how when we take literally, as fact, what is written in the bible we are taking away much of it's meaning and putting a meaning that wasn't their originally.

The discussions of how human myth evolved from prehistory to the current age is interesting. My fault with this book was the last chapter on the current time. I think she makes some interesting points but I felt like she was doing a lot of speculating on how novels, most of which I have not read, are at times working in the same way as myths used to. I think this was the weakest part of the book and she may have been using it to demonstrate her thesis that human kind has relied on myth and when we don't have myth we are lost. I think that she may be right in some points but it was to rushed for me to really agree with the ending.

Over all I think that the first part of the book is a very good discussion of myth and I would recommend this to individuals looking to expand their knowledge of how myth has evolved through history.