A Short History of Myth by Karen Armstrong is the opening installment in Canongate's Myths series, and is an excellent introduction to and contextualisation of what is to follow.

Armstrong follows mankind's myths from the earliest, hunter-gatherer societies through ancient civilisations right up to modern society. In so doing she not only gives valuable historical insight, but more importantly she discusses why we have myths, what purpose they served and why it is so important in modern society to once again pay more attention to our oft-overlooked myths.

An interesting and insightful read, this greatly whets one's appetite for the rest of the Myths.