Dr. Martin Shaw is a celebrated teacher of myth, deeply engaged in exploring ancient narratives and their profound resonance in contemporary life. His work masterfully connects deep mythological archetypes with everyday reality, revealing their power for personal transformation and understanding. Shaw has introduced thousands to the way myths permeate our existence, offering pathways to a richer grasp of both the self and the world. Drawing from rich traditions and a deep knowledge of folklore, his approach inspires readers to find meaning and connection in the modern era.
Through the lens of three ancient myths, Martin Shaw explores contemporary issues such as identity, technology, and loneliness in a world overwhelmed by social media and a pandemic. He emphasizes the importance of storytelling as a means to navigate life's complexities and reconnect with our sense of self. Shaw's work serves as a passionate call to use these narratives for personal and collective reflection, creating a space for imagination and deeper understanding. The book also ties into a podcast featuring conversations with notable figures.
Focusing on the rise of the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament, the book chronicles its evolution from a small assembly of public figures in 1957 into a widespread movement. It highlights the key activists, the tensions surrounding direct actions, and the diverse culture and social groups that rallied together to advocate for nuclear disarmament and to "ban the bomb." Martin Shaw provides an in-depth exploration of the dynamics and impact of this significant campaign.
Ethan Sterling, a decorated marine, faces a life-altering choice after a road accident leads him to heaven's gate. Offered the chance to either join the fight against a hellish invasion or find peace with his deceased family, he grapples with his desire to reunite with his wife and son. With the support of heavenly allies, including Noah and his father, Ethan embarks on a perilous mission that could change not only his fate but also the future of humanity. This fantasy novel explores themes of sacrifice, duty, and redemption.
Master mythologist Martin Shaw uses timeless story-wisdom to examine our broken relationship with the world There is an old legend that says we each have a wild, curious twin that was thrown out the window the night we were born, taking much of our vitality with them. If there was something we were meant to do with our few, brief years on Earth, we can be sure that the wild twin is holding the key. In Courting the Wild Twin, Dr. Martin Shaw invites us to seek out our wild twin--a metaphor for the part of ourselves that we generally shun or ignore to conform to societal norms--to invite them back into our consciousness, for they have something important to tell us. He challenges us to examine our broken relationship with the world, to think boldly, wildly, and in new ways about ourselves--as individuals and as a collective. Through the use of scholarship, storytelling, and personal reflection, Shaw unpacks two ancient European fairy tales that concern the mysterious wild twin. By reading these tales and becoming storytellers ourselves, he suggests we can restore our agency and confront modern challenges with purpose, courage, and creativity. Courting the Wild Twin is a declaration of literary activism and an antidote to the shallow thinking that typifies our age. Shaw asks us to recognize mythology as a secret weapon--a radical, beautiful, heart-shuddering agent of deep, lasting change.
