You can read my review of this book here: http://nyjournalofbooks.com/review/mythology-supernatural-signs-and-symbols-behi... ( )

Up until the 5th season, I was an avid watcher of ''Supernatural''. From then on, it went downhill and became too boring for me. Now I only watch a few episodes here and there. Still, this book will appeal to fans of the TV series and to those of us who are interested in the subject. It offers interesting information about the lore of the angels and the demons, about obscure deities of forgotten religions and the way they have been used during the progression of Dean and Sam's fight to retain the balance of the world. My favourite parts were the ones concerning the Fall of the Angels who sided with Lucifer and the stages of the Apocalypse. Why, then, did I rate this with 3 stars, you may ask. Well, there were some issues that hindered my 4-star rating and it would be dishonest on my part to overlook them.

My major problem came with the writer's constant use of the word ''mythology'' to refer to the various religions. In my opinion, there are other words that can be used instead, such as ''tradition'' and ''belief''. This has nothing to do with political correctness or anything like that. It is just something that bothered me personally. I don't know what the writer's views on religion are, nor do I care to find out, but to call the beliefs of the followers of any kind of religion in our world ''myths'' sounds quite rude to my ears.

Then, the writer criticises what he considers to be the spreading of ''inaccurate'' information by the fans of the series. However, his research isn't that immaculate. He presents Freyja as Baldr's mother and wife to Odin, and states that she is sometimes called ''Frigga''. Excuse me? There are certain theories that comment on the common Germanic roots of the deities, but in no way, is this the canon version of the story. I'd like to think that my knowledge of the Norse pantheon is quite adequate, and this was something that made me roll my eyes to the high heavens (failed pun intended...) Also, moving on to the Christian religion, he presents as a verified belief the theory that Mary Magdalene was Lazarus' sister and that John the Evangelist isn't the same John who wrote the Apocalypse. Just stop! There are arguments that support one or the other theory, but he speaks of them as if they are canon and verified beyond all doubt. And furthermore, his description of Plato's parable about the imprisoned men in the cave is widely inaccurate and I know it well, because in Greece, we are taught this myth since our first years in primary school.

I'm sure that most readers will be able to put these things aside and enjoy the book. However, being a picky person by nature, it would be a lie to say that I wasn't bothered or even offended. Otherwise, it is a book that offers much. What I cannot verify after the things I have read, is how much of the information he presents is valid and well-researched... ( )

Are you a fan or even just enjoy the TV series, Supernatural, the one with those two brothers Sam and Dean?
Have you always wanted to know more about the background of some paranormal folklore?
Ever wondered how salt, holy water, iron and all those other things to ward off evil come to play?
Have you just ever wanted to just know MORE?

The Mythology of Supernatural: The Signs and Symbols Behind the Popular TV show by Nathan Robert Brown is the perfect read to quench those eager questions you have about the paranormal. It doesn't cover the VAST knowledge of everything that is paranormal and folk lore, but it covers the ones that are most intriguing and that have stood out the most from the rest. Mostly covering the ones that have taken part within the TV series "Supernatural."

I really enjoyed this book because I've always enjoyed mythology and the paranormal. Who doesn't!?
I've never been the one to want to be part of anything paranormal, but I have always sought out articles that will feed my ever growing yearning to know more of the sort. This book elaborates as well as gives you common knowledge of the supernatural, while using the TV show "Supernatural" as a base reference. What better way to grab the reader and have a better understanding than to use one of your favorite shows to relate to what your reading.
It's craftily written that you won't ever get bored, but holds such a strong influential effect. Here's an example of what I mean, this is quoting from the book:

"Perhaps we adore heros because they are models for us. They display honor, loyalty, courage, and skills at levels we may never reach but strive for nonetheless--and we are better for it.
...Myths are meant to immortalize their heroic journeys.
For as long as there have been heroes, those half-brave, half-mad souls willing to dash headlong against things that would send most of us screaming in the other direction, there have been stories to immortalize their journeys.
... And in the end, it doesn't matter whether or not any hero was ever, in the historical sense, truly alive. What really matters are the ways in which their myths affect those of us who are."

See what I mean! It gets you thinking! And if that sounded too serious and deep for you that's where your wrong because it does have passages like that strewn within, but then you get parts that'll have you chuckling because of how light hearted it's written. One section was even titled Zachariah: Heaven's "Douche-nozzle" lol I've never heard anyone but myself use that term. =)
The Mythology of Supernatural isn't written as a story but more like a cooler version of an encyclopedia. You get to know more about salt and it's uses to ward off evil, the verses to say to purify water (Latin AND English), the mythology of resurrection, the 9 levels of hell, the 4 horse man, and SO MUCH MORE!!
Very fast pace and is not only limited for the "Supernatural" fans. A great read! ( )

This one was a grower; I was concerned about the simplicity level to begin with and was worried it was going to rehash The Supernatural Book of Monsters, Spirits, Demons, and Ghouls... but I was pleasantly suprised, as it went into some mythology that was quite off the beaten track, and I did learn a few new things. (The history of Lilith is particularly interesting, and I'm now quite keen to track down Robert's book devoted entirely to her.) It's obvious that Brown went from mythologist to fan rather than the other way round, and he does sometimes repeat himself. It's also strictly a book about mythology that doesn't really connect with SPN on a larger canonical level, but it's still vastly superior to some other 'mythology' cheapies. ( )