The Myths We Live By

The Myths We Live By, published in 1990, explores how memory and tradition are reshaped and recycled to make sense of the past from the present. It uses recorded life stories from a range of international sources to advocate for a transformed history that relates subjective and objective, past and present, politics and poetry, and highlights history as a living force in the present.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 274 pages
Publication date: 27 May 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

First published in 1990, The Myths We Live By delves into the intricate processes through which memory and tradition are continuously reshaped and recycled to interpret the past from the vantage point of the present. The book harnesses a wealth of recorded life stories, encompassing a diverse range of examples that span from the ephemeral myths of contemporary Italian school children on strike to the ancestral legends of classical Greece and the traditional storytelling practices of Canadian Indians. These examples, drawn from across the globe, collectively advocate for a transformed historical narrative that actively bridges subjective and objective perspectives, connects the past and the present, intertwines politics and poetry, and emphasizes history as a vibrant force in the present.

The Myths We Live By will captivate the interest of anyone with a passion for oral history, memory, and myth. It offers a profound exploration of the ways in which our understanding of the past is shaped by the narratives we construct and the traditions we uphold, providing a rich and thought-provoking perspective on the human experience.

Weight: 510g
Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032005706