Thompson's 'Motif Index" (multi volume set)is a classic in folklore scholarship. Every student of folklore studies necessarily needs to handle this reference sources which catalogues and categorizes folk tales, legends and other "narratives" in terms of "motifs". One folktale can have many motifs. The study of motifs is important to trace the "history" of the tale and its variants. SRS/PR

This set of books classify all known myths and folk tales, in terms of both story and motif. Invariably, any book analyzing myths will simply use Thompson's notation (Aa ###) whenever placing the myths discussed in a multi-cultural or syncretic context. For an understanding of Thompson's work rather than referencing the literally encyclopedic result, see _Types_of_the_Folktale_.

I have many personal feelings about this book, which I have read at least 3 times. I grew up with and am best friends with his youngest son and met Mr. Petrov countless times. On many occassions I had the unique priviledge of being able to discuss his book and the events which took place with the author in person. Still, had I never met Mr. Petrov, I am sure I would not have enjoyed this book any less. This book ranks with such books as 'Papillon', and 'To Live and Die in Shanghai', as one of the greatest true life prison stories ever told. Calling the ordeals that Mr. Petrov survived 'Kafkaesque' is an understatement. If you can find a copy of this book, I guarantee you will be forever satisfied.

This is the collection of tales edited by Stith Thompson, one half of the team responsible for the Stith-Thompson classification system of folktales. Thompson pulls tales mostly from European sources and includes source and classification notes in the appendix. The tales are classics or often derivatives of well-known tales. They are also suitable for all ages. I have had this book for years and still pull it off my shelf on a regular basis.

This set of books classify all known myths and folk tales, in terms of both story and motif. Invariably, any book analyzing myths will simply use Thompson's notation (Aa ###) whenever placing the myths discussed in a multi-cultural or syncretic context. For an understanding of Thompson's work rather than referencing the literally encyclopedic result, see _Types_of_the_Folktale_.

This set of books classify all known myths and folk tales, in terms of both story and motif. Invariably, any book analyzing myths will simply use Thompson's notation (Aa ###) whenever placing the myths discussed in a multi-cultural or syncretic context. For an understanding of Thompson's work rather than referencing the literally encyclopedic result, see _Types_of_the_Folktale_.

This set of books classify all known myths and folk tales, in terms of both story and motif. Invariably, any book analyzing myths will simply use Thompson's notation (Aa ###) whenever placing the myths discussed in a multi-cultural or syncretic context. For an understanding of Thompson's work rather than referencing the literally encyclopedic result, see _Types_of_the_Folktale_.

This is the collection of tales edited by Stith Thompson, one half of the team responsible for the Aarne-Thompson classification system of folktales. Thompson pulls tales mostly from European sources and includes source and classification notes in the appendix. The tales are classics or often derivatives of well-known tales. They are also suitable for all ages. I have had this book for years and still pull it off my shelf on a regular basis.

For all purposes, this book can be considered the companion volume to the _Motif-Index_of_Folk-Literature_, Thompson's encyclopedic classification of all known myths and folk-tales. _Types_of_the_Folktale_ expounds the presence of syncretic motifs and themes cross-culturally, and then explains the basis of Aarne and Thompson's study, which resulted in the Motif-Index. Most books doing a study of mythography will simply presume you have read this first.

The Folktale is an interesting book, although one which is uneven in quality. Most of it consists of quick sketches of particular tale types or motifs. These presentations are too voluminous and repetitive to make really interesting reading, but are too brief to be very insightful about any particular topic. The best part of the book is Part IV, Studying the Folktale, which presents a synopsis of the history and status of folktale studies (as of 1946). Even those who are skeptical of Thompson's general historic-geographical methodology may find this discussion valuable and provocative.

Stith Thompson comprises one half of the team responsible for the Stith-Thompson classification system for folklore. This book is great reading for understanding his approach to his classifications in a verbal text. Although some of the book is dated since it was originally published in 1946, most makes for interesting and helpful reading. The book also contains helpful information about the histories of tales and the breadth of their coverage across Europe and onto other continents. I have used this book extensively in my research and studies. While the classification comes under attack sometimes, it is still one the greatest influences in folklore studies today.

A brief introduction is followed by well-presented samples representing the different major folktales of the North American Indians, including tales borrowed from European- or African-Americans. Probably the most valuable part of the volume, though, at least for scholars, is in the 90 pages of comparative notes, sketching the distributions of particular motifs throughout the continent and beyond. Although dated now (first published in 1929) and perhaps inevitably incomplete even as of that date, this section provides fascinating insights into the extent and patterns of interaction between various Native American cultures.