Review of Mythic Worlds and the One You Can Believe In
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Asim Tariq
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Review of Mythic Worlds and the One You Can Believe In
[Following is a volunteer review of "Mythic Worlds and the One You Can Believe In" by Harold Toliver.]
Mythic Worlds and the One You Can Believe In, written by Harold Toliver is a non-fiction book exploring through the ages the transition of society from hunters to farmers and city dwellers. A pertinent point made by the author is the spreading of knowledge from the coastal cities inland. Toliver picks examples from Mesopotamia, South America, Greece, Egypt, and the Indus Valley Civilization to name a few. Despite the difference in distance, the advancement of the coastal
cities remains constant because of the greater trade of these cities. This can be evidenced even today. There is a focus on the naturalist movement throughout the book. The development of language through the ages is also dwelled upon as a consequence of changing lifestyles.
The book explains how mythology and religion transformed through the ages culminating in empiricism, naturalism and modernism of today. Greek, Roman and Norse mythologies are all delved upon. The author believes that Mythology and religion were used to unify diverse populations. He has also rightly highlighted the increasing influence of empiricism, naturalism and science towards the human ethos, just as religion and mythology were in the past. All the great poets and philosophers are touched upon, some in more detail than others. Homer, Plato, Wordsworth, Francis Bacon, Aristotle, Milton and Malthus are all discussed with a focus on comparative semantics and linguistics in the context of their time. Theology is discussed extensively throughout the book. All three Abrahaminic religions, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam are discussed in some detail. Judaism in particular is discussed in some detail with reference to the long Hebrew history and the relationship they had with their kings and prophets. All aspects of philosophy are likewise discussed. Logic, Metaphysics are connected to the transition of language from the oral to the written text and ending with the digital text. The development of language
also discusses the methodology of idea generation through the ages.
This book skillfully narrates human history from the dawn of civilization to-date. The connection between the historical and linguistic transition is particularly skillfully explained. The depth of knowledge exhibited by the author in this text is immense in keeping with his academic background.
Because it is a non-fictional text, the audience is specific. Likewise, in the 'Tower of Babel' anecdote, Toliver proclaims that human beings were divided on the basis of language as a form of punishment. This may be true for the Christians and Jews, but not so for Islam. The reason for the different languages as explained in the Quran is 'so that you may know one from another'.
I will recommend this text for all students of English literature and Philosophy. The book will serve to kindle the thirst for knowledge of such students. Since the book is written for academia, I don't foresee a wide reader base for it.
3 out of 4 is my rating for this book. The main reason for the deducted point is the somewhat difficult language used in the book. The book needs to be read in seclusion, and with great concentration.
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Mythic Worlds and the One You Can Believe In
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Mythic Worlds and the One You Can Believe In, written by Harold Toliver is a non-fiction book exploring through the ages the transition of society from hunters to farmers and city dwellers. A pertinent point made by the author is the spreading of knowledge from the coastal cities inland. Toliver picks examples from Mesopotamia, South America, Greece, Egypt, and the Indus Valley Civilization to name a few. Despite the difference in distance, the advancement of the coastal
cities remains constant because of the greater trade of these cities. This can be evidenced even today. There is a focus on the naturalist movement throughout the book. The development of language through the ages is also dwelled upon as a consequence of changing lifestyles.
The book explains how mythology and religion transformed through the ages culminating in empiricism, naturalism and modernism of today. Greek, Roman and Norse mythologies are all delved upon. The author believes that Mythology and religion were used to unify diverse populations. He has also rightly highlighted the increasing influence of empiricism, naturalism and science towards the human ethos, just as religion and mythology were in the past. All the great poets and philosophers are touched upon, some in more detail than others. Homer, Plato, Wordsworth, Francis Bacon, Aristotle, Milton and Malthus are all discussed with a focus on comparative semantics and linguistics in the context of their time. Theology is discussed extensively throughout the book. All three Abrahaminic religions, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam are discussed in some detail. Judaism in particular is discussed in some detail with reference to the long Hebrew history and the relationship they had with their kings and prophets. All aspects of philosophy are likewise discussed. Logic, Metaphysics are connected to the transition of language from the oral to the written text and ending with the digital text. The development of language
also discusses the methodology of idea generation through the ages.
This book skillfully narrates human history from the dawn of civilization to-date. The connection between the historical and linguistic transition is particularly skillfully explained. The depth of knowledge exhibited by the author in this text is immense in keeping with his academic background.
Because it is a non-fictional text, the audience is specific. Likewise, in the 'Tower of Babel' anecdote, Toliver proclaims that human beings were divided on the basis of language as a form of punishment. This may be true for the Christians and Jews, but not so for Islam. The reason for the different languages as explained in the Quran is 'so that you may know one from another'.
I will recommend this text for all students of English literature and Philosophy. The book will serve to kindle the thirst for knowledge of such students. Since the book is written for academia, I don't foresee a wide reader base for it.
3 out of 4 is my rating for this book. The main reason for the deducted point is the somewhat difficult language used in the book. The book needs to be read in seclusion, and with great concentration.
******
Mythic Worlds and the One You Can Believe In
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Latest Review: The Magician's Secret by Charles Townsend
