Mythic imagination : collected short fiction
(Book)

Includes bibliographical references.

"Before he was the engaging professor who brought mythology into people's living rooms through his "The Power of Myth" conversations with Bill Moyers and the thinker whose ideas influenced Star Wars and whose "follow your bliss" entered the lexicon, Joseph Campbell was a young man who tried his hand at fiction. He published his first short story at 29, after years of Depression-era unemployment spent living off money earned in a jazz combo and reading the world's great literature in a syllabus of his own devising. Readers here find portraits of the hero's journey and rich symbolism, magical realism, down-to-Earth concern with the ravages of the Second World War, and even a U.S. president who wakes one morning to find his skin changed from white to black. Compelling in their own right, these seven stories are essential for longtime Campbell fans and the many who continue to discover him anew. "--,Provided by publisher.

""Short stories and a novella by Joseph Campbell, written before he embarked on his career as a mythologist and professor. Includes portraits of the Hero's Journey, symbolism, magical realism, Campbell's concern with the ravages of World War II, and a U.S. president who wakes one morning to find his skin changed from white to black"--Provided by publisher"--,Provided by publisher.