Mythologies of the World

Book excerpt: This book surveys the important available books on mythologies of all parts of the globe and the cultural contexts from which the mythological traditions emerged. Written as a series of bibliographic essays, the guide opens with a description of major reference sources encompassing many cultures, as well as those tracing particular themes (such as that of the creation) across cultures. The other bibliographic essays discuss sources for studying prehistoric mythologies, the mythologies of West Asian peoples (Mesopotamian, Biblical, Islamic, and others), South and East Asian mythologies, European mythologies, American Indian mythologies (North, Central, and South American), African mythologies, and the mythologies of the Pacific and Australia. An appendix on contemporary mythology--mainly American--discusses a wide range of works that examine the beliefs, traditions, and dreams that manifest themselves in spectator sports, politics, advertising, and forms of popular culture in the United States. (RL)