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Title: Myths and Symbols in Indian Art and Civilization by Heinrich Robert Zimmer, Joseph Campbell ISBN: 0-691-01778-6 Publisher: Princeton Univ Pr Pub. Date: 01 May, 1972 Format: Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $19.95 |
Average Customer Rating: 4 (3 reviews)
Rating: 3
Summary: I had to return this book
Comment: I was NOT what I expected it to be at all. I thought the fact that it was discussing Indian art and symbols, there would acctually be a goodly amount of Indian art in this book. I realized I was mistaken upon leafing through this book and finding pages and pages of text with only a few examples of the art it related to. I'm not trying to disparrage the book in this review, I did not read it, but I'm sure it was good for what it was. I'm just trying to keep someone else from making the same mistake I made.
Rating: 4
Summary: An interesting and through, but mostly scholarly read
Comment: Zimmer is without a doubt a brilliant and sophisticated scholar of Indian Art and Mythology and this text reflects that fact very well. The sheer density of the text lends to the quality of it as a resource, but it not the number one choice of texts for someone who is just interested in mythology and folklore. Zimmer does more than merely tell you the myth or legend, he offers incredible symbolic and literary analysis of the myth in terms of broader and universal symbols. He brings together history, art, myth, religion, and philosophy in a incredible combination. However, the text is extraordinarily difficult to follow as a casual read.
In many places the text simply jumps around without any transition and in a seemingly nonsensical manner, making it difficult to read in a linear fashion. There does not seem to be any real organization to the text, with bits and pieces of the text's various elements thrown into the book at what feels like haphazard points. The photographs of the art which Zimmer discusses is useful, but are hidden at the back of the book in small, hard to see, grainy, black and white photos. I found to be a real pain constantly to flip to the back of the book to see what he was talking about and having to squint to make out the intricate art in the poor quality pictures. It would more useful if the photos were on the page where they were discussed, were in color, and were bigger. One final quibble is that the sheer volume of information makes taking notes as you go along crucial to obtain a real understanding of the text.
While I think these points are valid, do not let them scare you away. The text possess an immense wealth of information about Indian mythology and incredible analysis of its stories. An strong reference and research for students and scholars or for anyone who has a real interest in mythology, myth-art/religious art, or the psychological universality of myths. To any of these people I would highly recommend this book. If you are just starting on these or any other field that might be pertaining to the book, you might wish to start with some primary sources or books that are strictly myths and legends (i.e. the Mahabhrata or the Bhagavad Gita)or books on mythic/religious art before trying this book.
Rating: 5
Summary: One of the essential texts on the symbolism of Hinduism.
Comment: Edited by the late Joseph Campbell, Zimmer's book is a detailed analysis and explanation of the significance and history of many of the symbols found in Indian art and religon. It has a good index and several photographs at the end which provide essential examples.
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Title: Philosophies of India by Heinrich Robert Zimmer, Joseph Campbell ISBN: 0691017581 Publisher: Princeton Univ Pr Pub. Date: 01 December, 1969 List Price(USD): $29.95 |
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Title: The Myths and Gods of India: The Classic Work on Hindu Polytheism from the Princeton Bollingen Series by Alain Danielou ISBN: 0892813547 Publisher: Inner Traditions Intl Ltd Pub. Date: January, 1991 List Price(USD): $35.00 |
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Title: Hindu Art and Architecture (World of Art) by George Michell ISBN: 0500203377 Publisher: Thames & Hudson Pub. Date: 30 October, 2000 List Price(USD): $14.95 |
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Title: The King and the Corpse by Heinrich Robert Zimmer, Joseph Campbell ISBN: 069101776X Publisher: Princeton Univ Pr Pub. Date: 01 November, 1971 List Price(USD): $22.95 |
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Title: Oedipus Variations: Studies in Literature and Psychoanalysis (Dunquin Series, No. 19) by Karl Kerenyi, James Hillman, Jon Solomon ISBN: 0882142194 Publisher: Spring Pubns Pub. Date: February, 1991 List Price(USD): $17.50 |
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