A dictionary of Asian mythology

Meet the elephant-headed Hindu god Ganesa, and Chang O, the Lunar Toad who is Chinese goddess of the Moon. In handy A-to-Z format, here are the stories of the revered deities, sacred places, key events and epics, and recurring themes and traditions that make up the rich and varied fabric of Asian mythology. Entries address the key mythologies of India, China, Tibet, Central Asia, Southeast Asia, and Japan.

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Leeming's latest contribution to world literature is a reference junkie's delight--compact, orderly, suitably priced, and, most important, authoritative without swamping the user in pedantry. Examples of good book-making abound: an attractive cover, superb page layout with ample margins, roman type balanced with boldface and italics, a tasteful arrangement of icons complementing headwords and pagination. Style is appropriate to the thorough, comprehensive compendium of terms derived from Asian lore. A surefooted mythologist, Leeming has a talent for unraveling the intricate strands of interrelated mythologies. He anticipates the common pitfalls of scholars, students, writers, and literary historians, pairing alternate forms--"Zarathustra (Zoroaster)"--and making frequent cross-references (" Japanese Cosmogony--See Izanagi and Izanami"). General entries ("Moon Myths," "Sacrifice") aid newcomers to Oriental myth.Leeming easily outpaces competition from Alison Jones's Larousse Dictionary of World Folklore (CH, Jan'96) and compresses information enlarged in the favorite public and school library encyclopedia, Man, Myth and Magic, ed. by Richard Cavendish (1970). From the readable introduction through the Zs, Leeming's instructive voice reveals the certainty of an experienced teacher, the appreciation of a lover of literature. He moves gracefully from general to specific, particularly in the entry for Jataka Tales and the overview of the Upanishads. His source list of 18 titles connects neophytes to masters of the genre--Mircea Eliade, Joseph Campbell, Guida Jackson, Yuan Ke, John Bowker, Leeming himself. A balanced and informative index arranges main topics with subsets (e.g., 11 topics grouped under "Buddhism"). Of particular value is the breakdown of 30 examples of epic and 21 creation myths. Virtually flawless, the dictionary would profit from a longer source list, especially the many online texts and translations that tempt and perplex beginners. Beyond that one lapse, a model of the reference guide that belongs in most professional and personal collections. M. E. Snodgrass independent scholar

《图书馆杂志》(Library Journal )书评

Designed for nonspecialists and students, this concise dictionary references the mythologies of India, China, Tibet, Central and Southeast Asia, and Japan. The authoritative text is clearly written, thorough in coverage, and stylistically distinguished. Based on extensive research, the brief entries embrace the major characters, revered deities, sacred places, key events, enduring themes, folklore, and traditions prevalent in the rich and varied fabric of Asian mythology and religion. Readers will find both quasi-familiar terms (Vedic, Hara Krishna, mantra, yoga) and more obscure citations (Ganesa, Chang O, Lunar Toad, Kamsa); broad overviews of specific cultures and their mythic foundations are also included. An extensive network of cross references highlights the diversity, interrelatedness, and complex beauty of Eastern spirituality. A recognized authority, University of Connecticut professor Leeming has written several books on world myth (e.g., A Dictionary of Creation Myths). This significant lexicon is a vital and relevant reference for all collections. Richard K. Burns, MSLS, Hatboro, PA (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

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