Perspective

Author Joseph Campbell has, since 1949, been dealing with the theme of "Everyman." An Irish Catholic, who is captivated by American Indian culture as a youth, Campbell studies Arthurian romances at Columbia University, then Asian philosophies in Europe, and finally Freud and Jung. All these influences find their way into the pages of this book, a posthumous tribute by editor Eugene Kennedy. In his foreword, Kennedy explains that Campbell leaves behind a great body of unpublished materials on Judeo-Christianity. Campbell's approach to mythology helps to lessen the damage being constantly inflicted by institutional religious leaders insisting on literal, historical accuracy and missing the spiritual truths that are the essence of myth. This leaves religion itself an easy target for popular lecturers such as Carl Sagan.

It is Kennedy who decides to publish this book and makes the selection of materials. He explains sources and methodology in the endnotes. The...