Review by zcs -- Mythic Worlds and the One You Can Belie...
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zcs
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Review by zcs -- Mythic Worlds and the One You Can Belie...
[Following is a volunteer review of "Mythic Worlds and the One You Can Believe In" by Harold Toliver.]
3 out of 4 stars
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Mythic Worlds and the One You Can Believe In is a non-fiction philosophical work by Harold E. Toliver. The main theme of the book is a world history of ideas and human beliefs systems. The author appears to question and think about everything that has happened in the past and what could happen in the future: he tries to define truth and reality in a world full of myths, fables, misconceptions and illusions.
This book references many books in practically all disciplines of human knowledge and interest: science, maths, religion, history, philosophy etc. Toliver appears to have read and researched them all. His accurate analysis of the underlying facts and ideas behind every questionable myth, belief and illusion is commendable. He considers the possibility of the conversion of myth to philosophy and science.
The definition of a myth according to the Oxford English Dictionary is “A widespread but untrue or erroneous story or belief; a widely held misconception; a misrepresentation of the truth”. Reading this book your mind starts wondering what is true and false, reality and illusion in everything which you know or have been told.
This is a very difficult book to read simply because from the prologue to the last chapter the author constantly throws a stream of facts/theories/ideas at your mind and you have to mull over them trying to comprehend and sort them into myths, reality, illusions, truth: fables or real stories. Toliver appears to question the validity of the belief systems and writings of almost all the writers who have shaped and influenced the development of human beings e.g. biblical Moses, Socrates, Plato, Homer, Aristotle and hundreds of others. He presents his reasons clearly and logically exposing the lies and misconceptions which we have believed for centuries. The author appears to believe that truth and reality are to be found in natural history and natural philosophy: apparently everything else is questionable.
I greatly enjoyed reading chapter 7 (Modernism and Beyond) where he summarizes human discoveries and knowledge about the cosmos, our planet’s natural history, science etc: exposing how little we know and understand about our planet and the universe.
Chapter 9 (Militant Rhetoric and War Gods) was another good read. The author takes us from hunting and gathering to agriculture and industry; from stone/iron age to the present atomic missile age: tracing the development of human intelligence and the resultant increase in knowledge and understanding of our surroundings.
I recommend this book for researchers/students/lecturers due to the wealth of useful references which Mr. Toliver has carefully researched and included in the book. The book has very few errors: proofreading is excellent.
I loved reading this book but had to slow my pace. The volume of research required to compile this book must have been enormous and I salute the author for writing valuable gem. I rate the book 3 out of 4 stars.
******
Mythic Worlds and the One You Can Believe In
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3 out of 4 stars
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Mythic Worlds and the One You Can Believe In is a non-fiction philosophical work by Harold E. Toliver. The main theme of the book is a world history of ideas and human beliefs systems. The author appears to question and think about everything that has happened in the past and what could happen in the future: he tries to define truth and reality in a world full of myths, fables, misconceptions and illusions.
This book references many books in practically all disciplines of human knowledge and interest: science, maths, religion, history, philosophy etc. Toliver appears to have read and researched them all. His accurate analysis of the underlying facts and ideas behind every questionable myth, belief and illusion is commendable. He considers the possibility of the conversion of myth to philosophy and science.
The definition of a myth according to the Oxford English Dictionary is “A widespread but untrue or erroneous story or belief; a widely held misconception; a misrepresentation of the truth”. Reading this book your mind starts wondering what is true and false, reality and illusion in everything which you know or have been told.
This is a very difficult book to read simply because from the prologue to the last chapter the author constantly throws a stream of facts/theories/ideas at your mind and you have to mull over them trying to comprehend and sort them into myths, reality, illusions, truth: fables or real stories. Toliver appears to question the validity of the belief systems and writings of almost all the writers who have shaped and influenced the development of human beings e.g. biblical Moses, Socrates, Plato, Homer, Aristotle and hundreds of others. He presents his reasons clearly and logically exposing the lies and misconceptions which we have believed for centuries. The author appears to believe that truth and reality are to be found in natural history and natural philosophy: apparently everything else is questionable.
I greatly enjoyed reading chapter 7 (Modernism and Beyond) where he summarizes human discoveries and knowledge about the cosmos, our planet’s natural history, science etc: exposing how little we know and understand about our planet and the universe.
Chapter 9 (Militant Rhetoric and War Gods) was another good read. The author takes us from hunting and gathering to agriculture and industry; from stone/iron age to the present atomic missile age: tracing the development of human intelligence and the resultant increase in knowledge and understanding of our surroundings.
I recommend this book for researchers/students/lecturers due to the wealth of useful references which Mr. Toliver has carefully researched and included in the book. The book has very few errors: proofreading is excellent.
I loved reading this book but had to slow my pace. The volume of research required to compile this book must have been enormous and I salute the author for writing valuable gem. I rate the book 3 out of 4 stars.
******
Mythic Worlds and the One You Can Believe In
View: on Bookshelves
Like zcs's review? Post a comment saying so!
Latest Review: Heaven and Earth by Arturo Riojas
