John Fiske

These revised editions of four classic texts each include a new introduction by Henry Jenkins, explaining ‘Why Fiske Still Matters’ for today’s students, followed by a discussion chapter between former Fiske students. This new material underlines the continuing relevance of these foundational texts in the study of communication, contemporary media and popular culture. The John Fiske Collection includes re-issues of the following four classic texts:Introduction to Communication StudiesTelevision CultureReading the PopularUnderstanding Popular CultureThis collection will be highly useful to undergraduate and postgraduate students on all communication, media and cultural studies courses.

These revised editions of four classic texts each include a new introduction by Henry Jenkins, explaining ‘Why Fiske Still Matters’ for today’s students, followed by a discussion chapter between former Fiske students. This new material underlines the continuing relevance of these foundational texts in the study of communication, contemporary media and popular culture. The John Fiske Collection includes re-issues of the following four classic texts:Introduction to Communication Studies Television Culture Reading the Popular Understanding Popular CultureThis collection will be highly useful to undergraduate and postgraduate students on all communication, media and cultural studies courses.

Myths and myth-makers examines the universal patterns and origins of mythological narratives through scholarly analysis of folklore traditions from diverse cultures. The work investigates how legendary tales, often mistaken for historical accounts, actually represent shared human experiences and psychological truths that transcend geographical boundaries. Through comparative methodology, the author demonstrates that similar stories appear across unrelated societies, suggesting common roots in human nature and collective memory rather than factual events. The exploration begins with familiar legends and expands to reveal how these narratives function as explanatory frameworks for natural phenomena and moral understanding. By analyzing recurring motifs and themes, the study shows how myths evolve and adapt while maintaining their essential symbolic meaning. The work emphasizes that these stories serve as windows into the human psyche, reflecting universal concerns about heroism, sacrifice, and the relationship between individuals and their communities. Through careful examination of folklore patterns, the book reveals how mythological thinking shapes cultural identity and provides insight into the fundamental ways humans process experience and meaning across time and place.