Sacred Voices Reviews - Stories to Grow By

"The active study of myth is the active study of the narration of our own lives... Because the mythic heroes and heroines acquire vision and self-understanding in so many different ways, we can free ourselves of the notion that our life is a failure if it strays from a chosen path. Indeed, disappointments in love, reversals of fortune, attacks of despair, and the appearance of terrifying and insurmountable obstacles are not interruptions of our journey but the very means but which we continue it. Mythically speaking, nothing happens to us that does not provide the possibility for deeper vision." James Carse

The above quote is from a chapter in Sacred Stories - A Celebration of the Power of Stories to Transform and Heal. A fine collection covering the topic from many angles, with selections by Clarissa Pinkola Estes, Robert Bly, Sam Keen, Matthew Fox, and others. $14. HarperSanFrancisco/HarperCollins,NYC.
Edited by Charles & Anne Simpkinson,

BOOKS

*Storytelling Professionally: The Nuts and Bolts of a Working Performer. By Harlynne Geisler. Great for storytellers or any self employed performing artist who wants to take their show on the road. $22.50, 1997. Libraries Unlimited. 1800 237 6124.

*NEW: The Eagle on the Cactus: Traditional Stories From Mexico by Angel Vigil brings together 45 tales (15 of them rendered in Spanish) as well as slices of history & folk arts. $27.50, cloth, 2000. Libraries Unlimited. 1800 237 6124. A very good resource for storytelling materials.

*NEW: The Animals Came Dancing by Howard L. Harrod explores the relation and religious significance of the animals for the Indians of the Northern Plains. 17.95, paper, 2000. University of Arizona Press. www.uapress.arizona.edu

*NEW: Throwing Fire At the Sun, Water At the Moon by Anita Endrezze. Endrezze creates a layered narrative, blending her personal journal with her people's myths and history of five generations. $16.95, paper, 2000. University of Arizona Press.

*Listening To The Land: Conversations About Nature, Culture, And Eros. Derrick Jensen conducts provocative and insightful interviews with leading environmentalists and thinkers. $15, 1995. Sierra Club Books, 100 Bush Street, San Francisco, CA. 94104 or call 415 291 1600.

*NEW:The Storyteller's Journey by Joseph Daniel Sobol. This book explores the storytelling revival in the USA and the ever resurgent power of the storyteller. $19.95, 1999. University of Illinois Press.
www.press.uillinois.edu

*NEW:The Storyteller's Guide by Bill Mooney & David Holt is storytellers discussing various aspects of their art from marketing to performance techniques. Very informative. $23.95, 1996. August House (This publisher puts out a wide variety of books on storytelling. A great resource!) 501 372
5450 or www.augusthouse.com

*NEW: Musings: Tales of Truth & Wisdom by Linda M. Ford. 300 folktales divided into six thematic sections. Helpful resource for educators, parents, and storytellers looking for stories to tell. $22.95, paper, 2000. Fulcrum. 1800 992 2908. www.fulcrum-resources.com

*NEW: Grandmothers' Stories: Wise Woman Tales From Many Cultures retold by Burleigh Muten and illustrated by Sian Bailey.$19.95, hardcover, 1999. Barefoot Books. www.barefoot-books.com

*NEW: Tales From Old Ireland is a book of wonderful stories by Malachy Doyle, with delightful illustrations by Niamh Sharkey. A must! $19.99, hardcover, 2000. Barefoot Books.
Keep your eye on this publisher.

*NEW: The Spirit Of Asia - A photographic tour (200 photos) of the many of the greatest natural and manmade spiritual sites in Asia. Photos by Michael Freeman with text by Alistair Shearer. $40, hardcover, 2000. Thames & Hudson, www.thamesandhudsonusa.com .

AUDIO TAPES

*The Soul of Hope: ( two cassettes) stories of the Baal Shem Tov and the beginning of the Hasidic movement by Doug Lipman. Visit his Website at http://www.storydynamics.com/

*Dance Without End: A Collection of Creation Myths told by world class storyteller Laura Simms with music by Steve Gorn. Give your ears a special treat. Two cassettes, 1 hour & 45 minutes. $16.95 Northword Press P.O. Box 1360, Minocqua, WI 54548 or call 1800 336 5666. For Laura's itinerary call 212 674 3476.

*Shanta: Light Worker are the stories and sounds of Africa by a beautiful lady with a captivating voice - Shanta. 1 tape, 51 minutes. $10. Storywiz Records, P.O. Box 199311, Chicago, IL 60619. 312 994 5554 or for Shanta's itinerary call Artists of Note - 1800 525 4749

*Sacred Literature of the World: selected & read by Eknath Easwaran. 2 Tapes, 170 minutes. $16.95 Ask for a catalogue on books by Easwaran. Good reading on the meditational. Nilgiri Press, P.O. Box 256, Tomales, CA 94971. Tel: 1800 475 2369

For a list of storytelling audio tapes and other resources by Andy Fraenkel please Email

VIDEO TAPES

*Jay O'Callahan: A Master Class in Storytelling. O'Callahan (Time magazine calls him "a genius among storytellers" and he is indeed a pleasure to behold) weaves his magic in this interview. A gem! 38 minutes. $39.95. Vineyard Video Productions, Box 370, West Tisbury, MA 02575. Tel: 1800 664 6119 or for Jay's itinerary call 617 837 0962

*NEW: Check out storytelling videos from National Training Network, Inc. 800 686 1001