Editorial Review

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Reviews (75)

terrific book
This is a terrific book - I read the original memo years ago thatVogler then went on to base the book on. I require my beginning writing students to read it!
Fantastic summary
I loved this book!
Telling a story
I learn over and over that writing fiction is mostly about telling a story. Fortunately for us, some really smart people have put a lot of thought into what makes a story "good." I highly recommend this book. It's worth the time and money you will put into it. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Composition & Creative Writing - General    2. Composition & Creative Writing - Play/Scriptwriting    3. Creative writing    4. Film & Video - Screenwriting    5. Language    6. Language Arts & Disciplines    7. Motion picture authorship    8. Myth in literature    9. Mythology in literature    10. Narration (Rhetoric)    11. Reference    12. Writing Skills    13. Approved List/Classroom Adoption    14. Language Arts & Disciplines / Composition & Creative Writing    15. Performing Arts/Film & Video - Screenwriting    16. Reference / Writing Skills    17. Reference/Writing Skills    18. Writing & editing guides   

Reviews (81)

Great book
This book is very useful.Scott Cunningham's books are wonderful.He knew his stuff, and was very thorough when compiling the information.This book tells how to make incense, different oils for ritual, herbal charms, sachets, powders, soaps, and lots of other stuff.It's a great book for the kitchen witch because it's a wonderful reference book.And as with all of his books, he adds charts for substitutions, sabbats, days, seasons, and just correspondences for each oil and herb.I highly recommend this book.

Mother Earth's Majik
I am discovering the enjoyment and knowledge from this book.I think the forklore is interesting, but since I have just begun I feel this book will be a winter project to create some of the oils and such the I would would like to make.

Great Book and Very Informative
I found this book very informative for those wishing to make their own brews and potions. I enjoyed reading it and have put some of the formulas into action. I use the oils and soaps when I'm feeling the need to recharge. Also great information on herbs and such. If you're into making your own things and using them or giving them as gifts then this book is for you. You won't go wrong buying this book. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Body, Mind & Spirit    2. Essences and essential oils    3. Folklore & Mythology    4. Incense    5. Magic    6. Magick Studies    7. Miscellanea    8. New Age / Body, Mind & Spirit    9. Perfumes    10. Reference    11. Witchcraft & Wicca    12. Body, Mind & Spirit / Magick Studies    13. Complementary Medicine    14. Mind, body, spirit: disciplines & techniques   

Reviews (15)

Often Insightful
This is a very good overview of nationalism.Following other scholars, notably the pioneering work of Carlton Hayes and Hans Kohn in the 1930s, Hobsbawm point of departure is the fact that nationalism in the modern sense is a recent phenomenon, arising prinicipally in the 19th century and often as the produce of state formation in that era.Hobsbawm covers the history of nationalist ideas from the early 19th century onward, describing the evolution of nationalist ideas from their association with liberal political movements to their later association with the right, indeed, the fascist right.Hobsbawm covers also the basic historiography as well.The primary theme is the social construction of nationalism, often as a state mediated process with developing states using nationalist ideas to increase social cohesion.Hobsbawm also points out how nationalist ideas often arise from confrontation with others, an increasingly common experience as 19th and 20th century Europe saw increasing contact with others from differing ethnicities and religions as the world economy promoted large population movements and novel information about others.Written with Hobsbawm's typical combination of broad erudition and solid prose, this is an engaging and instuctive book.

Hobsbawm places nationalism in its historical context
We ordered this book as a reading for our 'Old Curmudgeons Book Club'. The book club is made up of a small bunch of 'older guys', i.e. in their 50s and 60s. We get together once a month and disucss non-fiction books. We've been doing this for about 15 years now. The book has to have something important to say about the human condition. Since nations and nationalism play such an important role in the 20th and 21st centuries, we thought it important to get a better handle on this.Hobsbawm's book helps us to understand the incredibly short time that nations and nationalisms have played a big role in the human experience.It is essentially a 19th century invention and yet it has become such a part of our thinking - e.g. the notion of the inviolability of national sovereignty, the whole business of being an 'American', Briton, Australian, etc. which is such an important part of self identity.One piece of information I found to be astonishing is the statement that at the time of the founding of modern 'Italy',in the mid 19th century, only 2.5% of the population in the territory now known as Italy spoke Italian.Hobsbawm's book then, helps to put into perspective the whole notion of nation and nationalism and helps us to be a bit more critical and more sceptical (suspicious perhaps) when political leaders appeal in language such as 'My fellow Americans', or 'Canadians believe that...', etc. Oh yeah? (What's America? What's Canada, etc.?It helps us to recall Samuel Johnson's famous and useful phrase 'Patriotism is the last refuge of a scoundrel'.Of course, we can get into debates about the difference between 'nationalism' and 'patriotism' but, for my money, they're pretty much the same thing and both are based on unexamined assumptions.Hobsbawm's book will get you thinking about these issues.
Corrupted analysis
You'll never get the straight story about nationalism out of Eric Hobsbawm, who himself appears to try to reconcile his own ethnic identity with the topic.David Pryce-Jones once noted that in Hobsbawm's own autobiography: "he [Hobsbawm] boasts of a visit to Bir Zeit University on the West Bank to display solidarity with the Palestinians.Why Palestinian nationalism is valid, and Jewish nationalism invalid, is something else Hobsbawm fails to analyze and explain. Quite crudely, he approves of nationalism in countries which proclaim themselves Communist and anti-American, like Cuba or Vietnam, while rejecting nationalism in countries which are not Communist and are pro-American, like Israel" ([...], Jan. 3, 2003).
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Subjects:  1. Europe - General    2. History    3. History - General History    4. Nationalism    5. Political Science    6. Politics/International Relations    7. Reference    8. World - General    9. Europe    10. European history: c 1750 to c 1900    11. History / Europe / General    12. Nationalism--History    13. c 1700 to c 1800    14. c 1800 to c 1900   

Reviews (40)

The best I've ever encountered
I was pleasantly surprised with this book. Having studied the more esoteric aspect of the Christian religion for several years, I have a pretty good idea of when I'm looking at a load of bull-honkey and when I'm looking at accuracy based on good sources. The one thing to be careful of is READ THE CITED SOURCES in the individual descriptions. Works by people like Milton are fiction, and should not be taken into consideration if you're seriously looking to find out who the angels "are." They're listed more as "this is what pop culture thinks" versus "this is what a Christian scholar said," which is still useful if you're using the book to write a fiction piece yourself. The tables and symbols in the back are also a nice change from your normal books of angels, who only give one side's perspective on which are 'right.' Davidson supplies several different beliefs and a nice little collection of symbols.
Good historical reading
Gustav Davidson shines in this publication, His information is percise and factual.An excellent refrence book.I highly recomend it!

Not as I expected
If I new more about angels and wanted to look them up by name, this dictionary would be great.But as it is, there isn't anything to explain all of the thousands of dictionary angel listings.I bought the book to learn about angels and their different dominions, but was dissapointed at only finding dictionary listings.And those listings werent very descriptive. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Christianity - Theology - Angelology    2. Inspirational - General    3. Reference    4. Religion    5. Religion - Commentaries / Reference    6. Animism    7. Christianity    8. Myths & mythology    9. Reference works    10. Religion / General   

Reviews (9)

Good Work !!
Mr Davis does it again.I have always been a fan of his work and this book is a good intro to mythology of a lot of countries.His description as always is easy to follow and once in a while he would throw in a couple of funny remarks that stay with you.On this book you can see that Mr Davis has done a lot of research and it has paid off.The only problem that i had with this book is that once in a while he reaches conclusions that i dont agree with.Sometimes i believe that he stretching these conclusions a little too far.For example he says that the tale of Pandora's Box points to women as the ones that bring suffering to the world much as the Book of Genesis in the Biblie blames Eve for all the suffering in the world.I think that conclusion is just plain wrong as there is no indication of the Biblie blaming women of anything except desobedience.He also says that Adan had a second wife.Again,this conclusion is just too far fetched since no such person ever existed.Besides these conclusions the book is really good.

Accessible Overview of Mythology
Davis' "Don't Know Much About" series has always been marked by the author's conversational and breezy style as opposed to more dry, pedantic treatment of the subjects.That tone is continued here in his view of world mythology. Instead of aiming at being a comprehensive overview of the subject, he chooses to highlight the "you should know" topics - much like a Cliff Notes for a whole course. Often times the word Mythology only brings up images of Greek and Roman gods in people's minds. What Davis does well is to bring us back into the other myths of the ancient world - from Egypt and Mesopotamia, showing how these myths intermingled with other cultures and influenced, among other things, possibly several stories in the Bible. Davis continues around the world highlighting the stories of the Celts, the Norse, Indians, Chinese and Japanese. He comes up a bit short in his discussion of Sub-Saharan Africa and Native American mythology mainly because it is such a diverse topic involving not one dominant culture, but rather hundreds of individual cultures, each with their own views of the world. So while I would applaud him for including recognition of these areas, Davis set himself up with a task far beyond his current project that may leave the reader unsatisfied in these areas.Overall a good book to get a quick overview and introduction to names, stories and history of various cultures and how stories that are still familiar today came into being.

An insightful and concise presented study of the world of historical mythology
This review refers to the audiobook edition
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Subjects:  1. Folklore & Mythology    2. Folklore & Mythology - Mythology    3. Mythology    4. Reference    5. Social Science    6. Sociology    7. Reference / General   

Reviews (2)

TURNED "ROCKET SCIENCE" to Reading Ease
Homer's The Odyessey is a drudgery to read not to mention understand. This book took the pain and bordom of that and shortned it to a 1 hour (45 if your a fast reader) book that keeps all the details (for your reading pleasure) and explains the importance of each section in relations to High School which actually helps a ton. (pulled my grade on this from the usual B to A thanks to this book).

Cliffnotes
This is a great way to help you better understand the book.While it does not take the place of the book it is a really good learning tool, ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Book Notes    2. Cliff's/ Monarch / Barron's Book Notes    3. Epic poetry, Greek    4. Examinations    5. General    6. Homer    7. Literary Criticism    8. Literature: Classics    9. Odysseus (Greek mythology) in    10. Odysseus (Greek mythology) in literature    11. Odyssey    12. Reference    13. Study guides    14. Ancient (Classical) Greek    15. Education    16. Literary Criticism & Collections / Ancient & Classical    17. Poetry & poets: classical, early & medieval   

Reviews (4)

Informative, but somewhat misguided
The basic thesis of all essays in "The Invention of Tradition" is that many of the mass, public traditions in various societies of the world (from Scottish kilts to the very concept of tribes in Africa) are well-crafted ("invented") constructs of the 18th/19th centuries, and are not as ancient or immemorial as they are generally believed to be. Parenthetically, the very expression "invention of tradition" is somewhat redundant, since all traditions, as products of human behavior and human imagination rather than the result of natural forces, are invented in one way or another. All of the essays in the book show how this is so, providing an excellent analysis of the origins of these traditions. As such they are very valuable contributions to contemporary social/political history. However, although the tone of the book is that such "invented traditions" were frequently almost imposed and/or used as instruments of political manipulation, it can't be denied that they also very often gave expression to very real feelings - as editor Hobsbawm concedes in his concluding essay. Thus, rather than demonstrating some sort of arbitrary "invention" and manipulation, Prys Morgan's chapter on the Welsh also shows how previous traditions in Wales were revived, reformulated and continuously adapted from the late seventeenth century on to meet various political, social and cultural challenges, thus making the process of invention seem quite "natural." On the other hand, Terence Ranger's essay on Africa is almost disturbing in that it seems to imply that almost every aspect of African politics and society today were bequethed by the continent's former European colonial masters. Hugh Trevor-Roper's chapter on Scotland is useful in that it pinpoints the exact origins of the "highland tradition" and all outer, visual identity markers used by the Scots, but the overall implication seems to be that now that the sham is revealed, the Scots should discard their kilts and bagpipes in shame. It would have been more useful if he had provided an explanation of why Scottish patriots, and others, so eagerly accepted these "invented traditions," and why they are so deeply entrenched and stronger than ever today. This goes for the entire book: it's main value may be in (unitentionally) showing how all traditions are in fact invented in one way or another, and that they become traditions because, at least at the time of their inception, they serve strongly felt political, social, cultural or even economic needs.

The truth behind the tartans!
Hugh Trevor-Roper's contribution to this book is priceless.In his chapter "Invention of Tradition: The Highland Tradition of Scotland", he details for the reader where the supposedly "ancient" costume of Scotland came from.The kilt was invented by an English Quaker about 1726 to allow his Highland workmen to more easily move while smelting the iron ore he was extracting.The kilt was thus an expression of the Industrial Revolution rather than an ancient freedom of the heather. The real stuff of legend
The principle argumentative thread running through each of this book's essays is that the traditions Europeans hold dear about their respective cultures date back merely to the turn of the 20th century.Far fromlegendarily old, things like Scottish tartans and the English monarchical love of pomp and circumstance date back only to the Victorian era.More tothe point, many traditions aren't even native to the land which celebratesthem.Tartans, the book concludes, are actually northern English ideas,and the "British" love of pageantry comes more from India than fromanything deeply rooted in the gardens of the House of Windsor.Read more

Subjects:  1. Anthropology - Cultural    2. Archaeology / Anthropology    3. Cultural And Social Anthropology    4. Customs & Traditions    5. Folklore    6. History    7. History: World    8. Manners and customs    9. Origin    10. Reference    11. Rites and ceremonies    12. Social Institutions    13. World - General    14. Anthropology    15. History / World    16. Sociology    17. World history   

Reviews (27)

Surprising
It is surpising that such wonderful and magical tales came from a land that preaches hatred and bloodshed.

Handcrafted Quality
They don't make books like they used to - or, so i thought, until i bought this elegant edition of The Arabian nights.Beautifully bound, printed on high-quality paper, with an erudite introduction, and clear, but stylish font, I thought how appropriate for the publisher to release a classic such as The Arabian nights in such a 'classic' style, hearkening back to a time when great care was put into published books.
The best 'Nights' yet!
Haddawy's translation is the most accurate and elegant yet. Although it does have a few quirks (typos, unfamiliar phrases) it is by far better than any other English translation of the 'Nights.' Also, the Syrian manuscript he used as the basis for his translation is now considered the standard Arabic 'Nights.' (for tales that are especially popular in the West, but are probably less authentic, such as 'Aladdin' or 'Sindbad the Sailor,' check out the second volume Haddawy's 'Nights.') If you want a more complete, but less accurate 'Nights,' check out Sir Richard Burton's translation. I personally have a few more problems with Burton's translation though: I don't want to have to read 16 volumes (10 original volumes, 6 supplementary volumes) of the 'Nights,' his writing style is slightly archaic (Burton was from the Victorian age), and sometimes he gets excessively engrossed in sexual detail and nuance that it detracts from the important aspects of whatever particular scene he is dealing with. I do also have one minor issue with Haddawy's translation (actually it's more of an issue with the manuscript he used): the third old man's tale is missing in the Story of the Merchant and the Demon (this wouldn't be much of a problem if that particular story didn't happen to be one of my favorites.) ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Folklore & Mythology    2. Literary    3. Literature - Classics / Criticism    4. Oral And Folk Literature    5. Reference    6. Fiction / Literary    7. Myth & legend told as fiction   

Reviews (15)

Some People May Interpret This Book as Feminist
...but it's the kind of feminism that makes people who believe that feminism is actually about *equality* between the sexes shudder.
One of the Best!
I found this book more than helpful for writing characters.I have several books on this topic and this is one of the best that I have encountered.Each chapter is well organized and easy to understand.The author makes reference to characters in TV, film, novels, and history that most of us would recognize.Each chapter covers how the character should act, what his or her fears may be, how others perceive the character and gives ideas on how to develop a character arc.Each archetype is shown as a "hero" and as a "villain" with great detail given to each (and a summary at the end, in case you need to quickly reference).I found the information as a starting point to character creation.When discussing archetypes, I always see them as "shadows".What I mean is that they lack depth.However, you can take these and build to make original characters.To anyone who is interested in building more colorful characters and keeping them in character, I recommended this book.

Sharpened my Characters Considerably
Fiction is not reality.I had forgotten this when I was creating the characters in my current book.My characters were complex, but were not compelling.They were boring.They didn't interest me and would not interest a reader.
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Subjects:  1. Authorship    2. Characters and characteristics    3. Characters and characteristics in literature    4. Composition & Creative Writing - Fiction    5. Fiction    6. Language    7. Language Arts & Disciplines    8. Reference    9. Technique    10. Creative writing guides   

Reviews (1)

A very good resource
The myth of genesis and exodus and its modern untrue historical perpetuations by the current self appointed custodians of Christianity, Judaism and Islam are examined and analyzed in this 74 paged document.The author sets the record straight by linking all three to their Afrikanpagan origins and with real individuals, making historical corrections where they are due.For example there are comparisons, betweenwhat was allegedly said by King Solomon and what was actually written by Amenemope, and comparison between the biblical ten commandments with the actual written 147. There are dates along with mapping diagrams showing the approximate time of genesis and exodus and what would have occurred in truth.In addition, by showing that all involved during the alleged mass movements and cultural war fares were of Afrikan tribal descent,theauthor shows that biblicalevents that occurred were mostly Afrikan continentalhistory, and spiritual allegory. Avery good reference source with a great bibliography.For more detail see African Origins of the Major Western Religions to get anin-depth outlook on this subject.
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Subjects:  1. Bible - Commentaries - Old Testament    2. Ethnic Studies - African American Studies - General    3. Reference    4. Religion - Commentaries / Reference   

Reviews (43)

A fantastic and Informative source
I am just starting this path, and this book explained in an easy but detailed manner how the gems and rocks and planets and colors all work together in spells and other majic.
This book was the first of its type...
Since then, several other authors have followed in Cunningham's tracks. Books that combine folklore and ritual use, mythology, magick, and healing are excellent additions to libraries on crystals. This is one book that every practitioner should really have. It contains several nice lists of cross-references and many folk names for stones may be found therein.
A Must-Have
This is a must have book for anyone interested in crystals, gems, or metals. It includes a comprehensive and detailed guide to the properties of many many many gems and crystals, as well as metals. The pictures are a great part of the book.
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Subjects:  1. Body, Mind & Spirit    2. Crystals    3. Encyclopedias    4. Folklore    5. Gems    6. Magick Studies    7. New Age    8. New Age / Body, Mind & Spirit    9. Witchcraft & Wicca    10. Body, Mind & Spirit / Crystals    11. Complementary Medicine    12. Magic & alchemy    13. Mind, Body, Spirit    14. Wicca   

Editorial Review

This fascinating, scholarly hodgepodge spotlights the feminist underpinnings of myth, religion, and culture. Before being lionized as Read more

Reviews (58)

It's wrong in places, but who cares it's so very cool
3 stars as an encyclopedia, 5 because it's the best story I've read in a long time.
Unfortunately....
I wished I could write a good review for this book.However, I can't.I read it.From a literary standpoint, the book is an obvious polemic.Ever evil under the sun can be traced to men, Christianity, and society run by men, (in about that order).
Great Book
I have had this book for about 6-7 years now and always come back to it every few weeks or months to look something up. Do I take Absolutley every statement or folky etymology she states as Fact? No I don't, nor should anyone who reads Any book.
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Subjects:  1. Comparative Religion    2. Encyclopedias    3. Folklore    4. Goddesses    5. Mythology    6. Sociology    7. Spirituality - Women's    8. Women    9. Women's Studies - General    10. Myths & mythology    11. Reference works    12. Social Science / Women's Studies    13. Women's studies   

Reviews (16)

Add it to the library
I highly recommend this book to gain greater insights in the Music business or any business. It was a great buy along with a couple of manuals I purchased from Musicbrains.net entitled the Indie label Kit.

Excellent
The hardships of surviving on the music industry can be easily compare with the jungle, where nothings is what it seems and danger lurks around every corner. This book is a guide that explains all the dangerous species and all the hazardous area, but also revealing the safe zones and undisputable truths about a world dominated by the strong ones. A good book with great references that has and will be appreciated by many.

A good book.
I suggest adding this book to your collection. It is nearly bursting with legal issues and information about the music industry. However at times the information seems a little inaccessible. In addition to this book I would like to suggest "Ty Cohen's Secrets to Making Money in the Music Industry (3-Piece Mega Audio CD Set)". These 2 products together are all you'll ever need! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Business Aspects    2. Copyright    3. Economic aspects    4. Music    5. Music trade    6. Music/Songbooks    7. Reference    8. United States    9. Music industry   

Reviews (11)

Disappointed with Amazon
While this is certainly an interesting reference tool, the book Amazon keeps in stock as 'The Penguin Dictionary of Symbols' is not the one pictured.The book that this page leads you to believe you are buying is quite a bit shorter, but actually gives illustrations of the symbols (I used to own a copy of it).The book that Amazon sells on this page is a fairly useful reference book, but lacks the imagery of the one pictured, which some buyers may be seeking.

An essential reference work
Hands down, the best resource of its kind available in print.

A book full of surprise
My teacher recommanded this dictionary to me (she got a copy of original French version). After I got this book I had a quick check of it. However, I couldn't stop when I started reading it! I found myself being "absorbed" in this book! I read it not as a dictionary but a book full of surprise. Although there ain't so many beautiful pictures in this book, I'd still like to recommand it. But if you want a book full of pictures, just choose the Norton one. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Dictionaries    2. Dictionaries - General    3. Folklore    4. Folklore & Mythology    5. Mythology    6. Reference    7. Semiotics & Theory    8. Signs and symbols    9. Social Science    10. Anthropology    11. Mind, body, spirit: disciplines & techniques    12. Reference works    13. Social Science / Folklore & Mythology   

Reviews (5)

An excellent book: A "MUST BUY"
-- *VERY* COMPREHENSIVE; an excellent book: A "MUST BUY"
Great book for the amature Mayanist!
This is a great refereance book for the amature Mayanist. "Gods and Symbols" is filled with specialized facts, covering subjects from Olmec to Aztec times in good detail. It is readable for both beginners and experts. Theamount of information can be overwhelming at times; it therefore is useful to have some background knowledge beforehand to be able to place facts in a larger contextual framework. However, the book's intent is to be a refereance work so this should be expected.

Already a classic
One of THE definitive reference works for everyone even remotely interested in the cultures of ancient Mesoamerica, "Gods and Symbols" well comprises the most important as well as more specialized facts, covering all its subjects from Olmec to Aztec times in the same amount of detail. It�s written to be accessible to both beginners and people more firm with the subjects, and certainly offers more than enough for both groups. However, although the cross-references are fine, the encyclopaedic, culture-jumping approach makes for a somewhat fractured read, and the sheer amount of information can prove overwhelming at times; it therefore could be useful to have some background knowledge beforehand that can help you place facts in a larger contextual framework when you need to. However, this hardly is a reason for criticism given the book�s intent, and it doesn�t stop it from being a highly readable standard work I can unhesitatingly recommend to just about anyone. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Archaeology    2. Ethnic & Tribal    3. Ethnic Studies - Native American Studies - Spirituality    4. Reference    5. Religion - World Religions    6. Social Science    7. Alternative belief systems    8. American history: pre-Columbian period, BCE to c 1500    9. Mexico    10. Myths & mythology    11. Pre-Christian European & Mediterranean religions    12. Reference works    13. South America   

Reviews (10)

Fun -and- educational.
This is one for both the scholar who needs a quick reference and the casual enthusiast looking to impress friends with mythical trivia (not that many people have friends who are so easily impressed).
very nice
As others have mentioned, this book is an encyclopedia and as such contains mostly facts.The stories and legends mentioned in the book are briefly surmised.The pictures are all in black and white.Most beings mentioned in the book are not pictured.Having no other similar book to compare this to, I'd say it's pretty complete.I've never heard of most of the creatures listed.I did find a few beings missing that I think are important and sometimes there are multiple entries for the same subject, under different and sometimes very similar names.
A Very Good Encyclopedia
Carol Rose has produced an amazing book with loads of fun information, however, it is an encyclopedia as it says. Although very helpful, it can be a tedious read at times. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Fairy Tales, Folklore & Mythology    2. Fiction    3. Folklore & Mythology    4. Reference    5. Sociology    6. Folklore    7. Reference works   

Reviews (10)

A Wickedly Funny Debunking
So you think Catherine the Great was Russian, do you?Then you are a prime candidate for R. Shenkman's acid-tongued revelation of little known or seldom recognized historical fact.If there is a basic misapprehension, Shenkman is on it--much to the annoyance of those who thought they knew Cleopatra was Egyptian, the Gospels are consistent, and the Scots have always worn kilts.
A good compliment to the "Myth America" TV series.
As with most TV series you get statements with out support. So I tracked down the Richard Shenkiman book to get some background to the statements about American myths. I was not disappointed. It is as if he was reading this book on the TV with more graphic representations for the different media.
Terrible, terrible, terrible
As a professional historian I was appalled by this book. I have a pretty generous sense of humor, but Shenkman's weak attempts at debunking popular conceptions and his "breezy" wit were too much. He propogates just as much bad history as he purports to correct, oversimplifying such complex subjects as Alexander's conquests and the fall of Rome, and his section on Judaism could easily be called anti-Semitic. It should come as no surprise that he skips over relgions that it's not okay to ridicule--only Jews and Christians are the butt of jokes, here. As another reviewer said, Shenkman seems to like hearing himself talk--so true. His narrative style reminds of me those self-important people you hear dominating restaurant conversation so often.
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Subjects:  1. Errors, inventions, etc    2. History    3. History - General History    4. History: World    5. Humor    6. Miscellanea    7. Reference    8. World - General    9. History / General   

Reviews (4)

A valuable book
In Joseph Conrad's famous novel, "Heart of Darkness," Marlowe, the narrator of the central tale travels to the Congo in search of the enigmatic and elusive Kurtz, a renowned European ivory trader who went to Africa as an idealistic "emissary of pity, and science, and progress." Marlowe finally encounters Kurtz on his deathbed, in a compound surrounded by a ruined fence, the posts of which are capped with shrunken human heads. Kurtz, having succumbed to primitive, destructive forces-- both external and internal-- utters his last words-a withering realization oftruth: "The horror! The horror!"
A Definite Eye-Opener!
Malignant Medical Myths by Joel M. Kauffman, Ph.D, is an eye-opening expose that shatters many common and deeply ingrained health myths. Kauffman explains how these myths are born and how they are kept thriving by favorably designed and selectively cited research.
Healthier than one week of Lipitor!
With medical 'interventions' and drugs dominating our thinking about 'health care' and not far from $1 out of every $7 generated in some Western countries spent on it, this book is an important one that takes a scient