The works of Joseph Campbell have illuminated much about history, mythology, and religion for many, and continue to do so. Oriental Mythology is the second volume in Campbell's 4-volume The Mask of God series, and in it, Campbell explores ancient Asian history and mythological thought. For readers of a Western background, this book shines a light on ancient Asian cultures, how they were formed, and their continued influence on the modern world.
While Campbell perhaps takes a biased view at times (toward Western cultural thought), the sheer volume of information contained in this book is a good place to start if you're interested in ancient Eastern stories and religion. With this new edition published by New World Library, much has been updated to reflect new discoveries since its original publication in 1962.
It's a deeply detailed read and dry at times, but Joseph Campbell is the person to read if you want a detailed overview of how religion and mythology have evolved throughout and impacted world history.
Note: Review copy provided by the publisher.
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