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The Myth of the Eternal Return

Cosmos and History
By Mircea Eliade
Series: Mythos: The Princeton/Bollingen Series in World Mythology
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Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
The Myth of the Eternal Return explores the religious beliefs and rituals of ancient cultures through a vast array of scholarship in multiple European languages. Mircea Eliade analyses how archaic societies viewed history and time, emphasizing the spiritual significance of cyclical renewal. Eliade argues that understanding these perspectives enriches our contemporary sense of humanity, despite the impossibility of returning to those ancient practices. The edition includes an introduction by Jonathan Z. Smith, offering crucial context to engage deeply with this foundational text in the history of religions.
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Format: Paperback / softback
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

This book is ideal for readers fascinated by religion, spirituality, anthropology, and the psychology of time. It suits scholars, students, and those interested in archaic cultures and the philosophy of history.

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"Harper Torchbooks paperback edition published under the title Cosmos and history, New York, 1959"--Copyright page.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

First published in English in 1954, this founding work of the history of religions secured the North American reputation of the Romanian émigré-scholar Mircea Eliade. Making reference to an astonishing number of cultures and drawing on scholarship published in no fewer than half a dozen European languages, The Myth of the Eternal Return illuminates the religious beliefs and rituals of a wide variety of archaic religious cultures.

While acknowledging that a return to their practices is impossible, Eliade passionately insists on the value of understanding their views to enrich the contemporary imagination of what it is to be human. This book includes an introduction from Jonathan Z. Smith that provides essential context and encourages readers to engage in an informed way with this classic text.

Series: Mythos: The Princeton/Bollingen Series in World Mythology

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  • The Myth of the Eternal Return
    First published in English in 1954, this founding work of the history of religions secured the North American reputation of the Romanian émigré-scholar Mircea Eliade. Making reference to an astonishing number of cultures and drawing on scholarship published in no fewer than half a dozen European languages, The Myth of the Eternal Return illuminates the religious beliefs and rituals of...
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Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Review of Religion praises the book as "luminous, profound and extremely stimulating," essential reading for anyone interested in the history of religion and ancient mentalities. The Nation describes it as "profound and pregnant research in the psychology of time and the intuitive forms of the mind as revealed by early cultures' attitudes toward history."

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780691182971

Publisher: Princeton University Press

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 20 November 2018

Country: United States

Imprint: Princeton University Press

Contributors:

  • Translated by Willard R. Trask
  • Introduction by Jonathan Z. Smith

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Width: 140.0mm

Height: 216.0mm

Weight: 250g

Pages: 232

Collections

Mircea Eliade Non-Fiction Religion & Spirituality Series: Mythos: The Princeton/Bollingen Series in World Mythology

About the Author

Mircea Eliade (19071986) was the Sewell L. Avery Distinguished Service Professor of the History of Religions at the University of Chicago. His books include Images and Symbols, Shamanism, and Yoga (all Princeton). Jonathan Z. Smith (19382017) was the Robert O. Anderson Distinguished Service Professor of the Humanities at the University of Chicago.

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