American, African, and Old European mythologies

"This comprehensive book of mythologies gathers eighty articles from distinguished scholars covering a fascinating variety of themes and topics. The articles offer illuminating examples of the working of myth in cultures past and present- how we create, use, and are guided by systems of myth to answer fundamental questions about ourselves and our world: Where do we come from? Who are we? How shall we live? What happens when we die?..."--back cover.