Storyology: Essays in Folk-Lore, Sea-Lore, and Plant-Lore

"Storyology: Essays in Folk-Lore, Sea-Lore, and Plant-Lore" by Benjamin Taylor is a collection of essays that examines folklore and its relationship to human experience. The book explores the meanings and origins of myths, specifically those connected to nature, through a lens that is both academic and accessible to the average reader. The author starts off by questioning common interpretations of myths, arguing that they arise more from shared human imagination than from simple reflections of the natural world. By looking at well-known tales and cultural stories, Taylor suggests that these narratives, though sometimes dismissed, hold important insights into human nature and the history of different cultures. The essays work to make folklore a relevant and engaging area of study.