A Short History Of Myth

As long as we have been human, we have been mythmakers. In A Short History of Myth, Karen Armstrong holds up the mirror of mythology to show us the history of ourselves, and embarks on a journey that begins at a Neanderthal graveside and ends buried in the heart of the modern novel.Surprising, powerful and profound, A Short History of Myth examines the world’s most ancient art form – the making and telling of stories – and why we still need it.

Reviews of A Short History Of Myth

Elegantly argued and consistently thought-provoking * * Telegraph * * Witty, informative and contemplative * * New York Times * * Remarkable * * The Times * * What Armstrong does in her skid over the millennia is make comparisons, connections and contrasts in a way that cannot fail to enlighten the general reader . . . Myths are narratives: as she eloquently says, we shouldn't be done with them yet — NICHOLAS LEZARD * * Guardian * * Valiant and readable . . . clearly and concisely written * * Independent * * With characteristic incisiveness, Armstrong explores the development of myth from prehistory to the present day * * Daily Mail * * Brilliant . . . Succinct and thoughtfully elucidated * * Elle * * Karen Armstrong is a genius — AN WILSON Karen Armstrong is one of our most perceptive and thoughtful writers on religion — JOHN GRAY One of the handful of wise and supremely intelligent commentators on religion — ALAIN DE BOTTON