Joseph Campbell's "The Hero with a Thousand Faces" explores the universal hero archetype found across various cultures and mythologies.
The text examines the hero's journey, from their birth and transformation to their ultimate apotheosis and return.
Imagery from diverse sources, including Chinese Bodhisattvas, Polynesian carvings, and Assyrian panels, illustrates recurring motifs of creation, virgin birth, and the hero's role as a warrior, lover, and emperor.
Introductions highlight the importance of storytelling and the capacity of myths to mirror the human psyche.
The book interprets and validates numerous details of local customs, as well as various dualities within life.
A comprehensive bibliography, compiled under the direction of Dr. Richard Buchen, provides access to extensive research that informs Campbell's analysis.