[Kierk Soren]

This is an extension of an earlier response of mine, just thought we could branch off a little to discuss other books that may enrich our readings of the Fantasy genre. I'm sure most of the authors who make this genre their home do extensive research. I notced from the interview that FitzFlagg plugged that Marco of the Kings & Tyrants books reads alot of military history. JV Jones has mentioned sociology. Heres some books that for me really deepen my reading of this genre - 1. Bulfinch's Mythology(essential-my Dad still can't find his copy...Hmm?) 2. The Golden Bough ( truth is definitely stranger than fiction - A masterpiece of comparitive mythology-and one I know fantasy writers have on the shelves) 3. The Hero w/ a Thousand Faces (became popular again a few years back because of Bill Moyers and PBS-comparitive mythology - it breaks down the Hero journey that runs through all cultures and mythologies-Lucas used it for Star Wars) 4. The Varieties of Religious Experiance by William James( This gets a little heavy and dense - not light reading - but important to me anyway.) I know some of you will be familiar with a few of these and may have books that deepen your feelings and understanding of the fantasy genre as well - let me know...let us all know so we can check them out to.

[This message has been edited by Kierk Soren (edited May 15, 2001).]

[This message has been edited by Kierk Soren (edited May 16, 2001).]

[FitzChivalry]

Anything you can put your hands on about mythology or history can enrich you in that sense.

[Kierk Soren]

Hi Fitz, from your posts that i've read you have definitely devoured a few books in your time- how about it and share one or two with us. be more specific. Yes, any book on mythology or military hist. can enrich "but which ones". I shared some of my tastes, i've read others but these in particular are important to me - Heres another =Aoesop's Fables. I reread these often. I found an amazing copy, reprinting a rare Florintine Medici edition. The miniature illuminations are amazing!

[This message has been edited by Kierk Soren (edited May 16, 2001).]

[This message has been edited by Kierk Soren (edited May 16, 2001).]

[Bardos]

IHMO, a good book about fantasy (and writing fantasy) is this:

Myths and Magic: The Complete Fantasy Reference

[Rwillia]

Hey guys, I'm pretty new here (3rd post) but I wanted to say I agree, I've read both "Hero w/a 1000 faces" and "Bulfinch's Mythology" (stole my dad's copy also) and they are both excellent. Fantasy has always been my favorite, but I'll read just about anything. I've found historical fiction very enjoyable and in some ways very similar to fantasy. One of the best I've read in a long time was "Gates of Fire" by Steven Pressfield. It's based on the historical events of the ancient battle of Thermopylae - basically a few hundred Spartans hold a narrow mountain pass against about 100,000 man Persian army for a week. If you like the battle element of fantasy books, you will love this book.

[Zsinj16]

Yes, I've heard that Moyer's "Hero With a Thousnd Faces" is indeed very excellent. I think that later on down the road I may buy it and turn to it for a little help and influence in writing my "Dwarfsaga" novels.

[cassandra]

Anything by Joseph Campbell is excellent.

[Rob B]

I have a mythology book from a college class that was helpful "World Mythology" by David Adams Leeming.

Also, my Carl Jung book from college is pretty good, too.

[Arithon]

I think that any novel of any kind can make you judge and experience better the feeling of fantasy novels. Actually, I real almost every kind of novel and I'm sure it's a nice idea.

[FitzChivalry]

Seriously Kierk, anything in history can be helpfull, from the dawn of civilization (Sumeria, Egypt) through great military leaders like Alexander the Great and Genghis Khan, to the rise and decline of The British Empire and the World Wars. Most if not all politics and wars in fantasy are modeled on real history or inspired by it.

About mythology, there isn't one book that i keep with me, i read my share of greek, cletic and nordic mythology and a little bit of hindu, aztec, chinese and egyptian mythology and of course the bible which is a good source for legends and prophecies.
As i said antything can enrich you.