A Dictionary of Creation Myths (Oxford Paperback Reference S)

The best organized/presented book on creation I ever saw! Very informative, inviting comparisons. Educational and entertaining!

It is hardly a criticism to say so, but this work (bought from Amazon) plainly discusses only a tiny fraction of the creation myths. It seems evident that creation myths have been held by most human societies and one must assume that most of them have never been recorded in writing -- or the writing has been lost. The book is in fact a sample of some creation myths. I have to say that I do not think it is a particularly interesting one. It focuses on myths held by rather small groups of people. On the other hand, the book may have some utility to people who, for reasons which are difficult to understand, think that the creation myth contained in the Bible is of some unique importance.INVICTUS

Introduction is so informative and provides great background information as to why mythology is so important to individuals and world cultures. Contains several myths from many cultures. Although used, this book is in great condition.

Good read. Very informative

Maybe this book will seem all right to people who use it in the way they would an actual dictionary or encyclopedia, i.e. to occasionally look up a scrap of information. Having read it from cover to cover, however, I am left with the impression that the authors just gathered a handful of sources and indiscriminately copied down the myth of any tribe or culture they could find the way the original authors had compiled them, without any kind of cross-referencing, completing, structuring or harmonizing. This results in some entries offering a wealth of information, while others barely contain any at all. I also got the impression that the book covers a great number of small American Indian tribes (albeit in not much detail) for the sole reason that there was a handy source available, while leaving out a number of equally or more important cultures elsewhere. This being a very vast subject with a rather limited audience, maybe the authors or editors did not find it (financially) worth investing the time needed to do a thorough job, but I find it hard to believe there's nothing better out there. I'll keep looking for a better alternative and advise you to do the same.

Interesting book some minor factual errors but overall a good buy