I'd recommend the series that got me "hooked" originally which is "Joseph Campbell and the Power of Myth" I think the companion book is still available, but the really BEST thing is the original series of interviews that aired on PBS with that same title. It is 6 hour long interviews with Bill Moyers. It was from at least 10 years ago and Bill Moyers says when people recognize him on the street the thing they ask him about most by far is that series. The series is available on video and DVD and they also show it pretty often on PBS, although usually it is during their pledge drives because it is still one of their most popular shows.

The series really changed my life when I first saw it in 1990 and I still catch it whenever I see it on PBS. My local PBS station aired it shortly after Sept 11 and it was so helpful to watch it again, especially the stuff dealing with good and evil in the world.

The companion book contains most of the text of the interviews (the foreward says it was designed to be a companion to the series, not a replica) but you miss out on his voice and mannerisms and sense of humor so I would recommend the video or DVD if possible.

I can highly recommend it to anyone.

Joseph Campbell and the Power of Myth-Interview by Bill Moyers

It is very powerful stuff.

I just started reading "Hero with a Thousand Faces" one of his most "famous" books but it is a little deep... It is taking me a while and I'm just past the first chapter. Plus I think I'd be lost if I hadn't seen "Power of Myth" first.

For some background, Joseph Campbell studied mythology and specifically the field of "comparitive mythology", basically why in all religions and beliefs, the underlying stories are so similar even for religions that grew from isolated parts of the world in many different time periods. The basic answer of course is that the stories and mythologies seek to explain fundamental questions about life and its purpose, and all human beings are asking the same basic questions and arriving at similar answers. In examining the similarities and delving into the meanings of the stories he rips away a lot of the rigidity that many of us attribute to religion and the stories become extremely enlightening. In ny opinion this understanding can strengthen anyone's faith no matter what their religion, as long as they have an open mind to explore the stories and their origins and meaning. "The Hero's Journey" is probably the most talked about of his teachings and involves the individual quest from innocence, through adventure and transformation to ultimately become a healthy individual that is a functioning part of society. I think a lot of that is what is missing from today's society, there are no rituals anymore that transform "children" into the "adult club" and so they seek out their own rituals which are often unproductive. There is no part where they are officially "welcomed" as members of society. A lot of the rituals we do have have lost a lot of their meaning.

The story of the heroes journey reoccurs over an over again in almost identical form in much of literature, the King Arthur myths, American Indian mythology, the bible, West Indian mythology, Buddism, etc etc etc and also is the root of many modern stories and movies such as Star Wars, Matrix, Titanic, The Lion King, etc. The reason people connect so deeply with some of these stories is because they touch something deep inside of us, something really ancient, that helps us understand our role in the world throught the symbolism of the story or myth.

I now find it extremely enjoyable to recognize the elements of the classic "hero's journey" and spot it in new movies that i see. The reason I am reading "Hero with a Thousand Faces" is because I want to understand those elements better. Previously I relied on friends who studied mythology in school to point them out to me and help me understand them.

I am a HUGE Star Wars fan ever since it came out in 1977. I had no idea why until I saw the Joseph Campbell interviews in 1990. George Lucas actually worked with Joseph Campbell on the story for Star Wars because his intention from the get-go was to present a modern mythology, a true hero's journey with all of the elements, but set to address the questions of modern times, the technological world we live in, and how to live a human life in such a technological world. Darth Vader is a man who has literally become a machine. Luke takes his journey of his destiny which transforms him from innocence (working obediently on his uncle's farm) to manhood through an adventure involving magic (the "Force") and a mentor who guides him through (Obi Wan), ultimately recognizing the strength which lives inside himself.

With the prequels George Lucas is expanding the story to now present the journey of Anakin Skywalker instead of Luke Skywalker. When the whole series is complete is will be a full six episodes chronicalling Anakins transformation from innocence (as a slave on Tatooine) through his introduction to magic through adventure with his mentor, following his choices through his downfall (transformation into Darth Vader) and ultimate redemption (which we have already seen in "Return of the Jedi")

You can see my involvement with the prequels (i spent time in line for the openings collecting money for charity) on my website at <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.idexter.com/starwars/>http://www.idexter.com/starwars/</A> under the "episode 1" heading. there are photos there as well.

Hey never ask me a question when I have insomnia unless you want another novel