The myth series brings together some of the world's finest writers, each of whom has retold a myth in a contemporary and memorable way. Authors in the series include: China Achebe, Margaret Atwood, Karen Armstrong, A.S Byatt, David Grossman, Milton Hatoum, Victor Pelevin, Donna Tart, Su Tong and Jeanetter Winterson

Includes bibliographical references (p. 129-135).

Human beings have always been myth makers. Theologian Armstrong here investigates myth: what it is, how it has evolved, and why we still so desperately need it. She takes us from the Paleolithic period and the myths of the hunters, up to the Great Western Transformation of the last five hundred years and the discrediting of myth by science. The history of myth is the history of humanity, our stories and beliefs, our curiosity and attempts to understand the world, which link us to our ancestors and each other.--From publisher description