Robert Alan Segal Book order

Myth Theorized provides a survey of some key figures and topics in the modern study of myth.

Exploring modern theories of myth, this book critiques various perspectives on the origins and functions of mythologies and their figures. It provides a comprehensive overview that connects societal dynamics with mythological narratives, enabling broader theoretical insights into how myths shape and reflect cultural identities.

What did Hercules do to deserve his twelve labors? How did Narcissus find the love of his life? And why did Odysseus take ten years to travel 500 miles? You might recall such epic events, but do you know them well enough to brighten up dinner party discussions with tales of gods and monsters? 30-Second Mythology sets out the most significant details and unravels the underlying meaning of the greatest classical myths. Revealing the origins of the gods, heroes, and monsters of ancient Greece and Rome, the book outlines the key aspects of their stories for the general reader in half a minute, using nothing more than two pages, 300 words, and one picture. Featuring detailed biographies of the seven greatest poets and playwrights of the ancient world, 30-Second Mythology explains the enduring influence of ancient myth in the blink of a Cyclops' eye.

This Very Short Introduction explores different approaches to myth from several disciplines, including science, religion, philosophy, literature, and psychology. In this new edition, Robert Segal considers both the future study of myth as well as the impact of areas such as cognitive science and the latest approaches to narrative theory.

The exploration of myth spans two centuries, engaging theologians, philosophers, and social scientists in a vibrant debate over its origins and implications. This collection of essays by Robert A. Segal critically examines prominent theories from influential thinkers such as Freud, Jung, and Campbell, highlighting the diversity of perspectives on myth's function and meaning. Segal, recognized for his social-scientific approach, presents a synthesis of his best work on the subject, offering readers a comprehensive understanding of the ongoing discourse surrounding myth.

"This book is a concatenation of sparks of religious light.... Gnosticism is to be understood as the ongoing formulation of freshly imagined spirits, a logos of what we can know about those moments when the religious experience itself breaks through the veils of dogma to assert the psychological reality of a living redemptive godhead". -- John Beebe, Editor, Journal of Analytical Psychology