Myth Ritual & Religion - Volume 1

First published in 1887 this early work of comparative mythology remains a vital resource to students and devotees of ethnography history and world legends. Langs stunningly comprehensive overview of pre-scientific thinking provides an important perspective on the worldviews that molded and continue to influence modern thought. In this the first of two volumes Lang begins with a minimum definition of religion-the belief in a primal being a Maker-explores the differences between mythology and religion discusses the problems of seeking the origins of the belief in a deity and examines totem-ism nature myths and creation stories from around the globe including Greece Asia Australia Africa and the New World. Scottish journalist and author ANDREW LANG (1844-1912) the son of the sheriff-clerk of rural Selkirkshire was educated at Edinburgh Academy the Universities of St. Andrews and Glasgow and Balliol College Oxford. A contemporary and friend of Robert Louis Stevenson he produced a stunning variety and number of volumes including books of poetry novels childrens books histories and biographies as well as criticism essays scholarly works of anthropology and translations of classical literature.