The Golden Bough A Study in Magic and Religion (Oxford World’s Classics)
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First published in 1890, The Golden Bough was eventually issued in a twelve-volume edition (1906-15) which was abridged in 1922 by the author and his wife. That abridgement has never been reconsidered for a modern audience. In it some of the more controversial passages were dropped, including Frazer’s daring speculations on the Crucifixion of Christ. For the first time this one-volume edition restores Frazer’s bolder theories and sets them within the framework of a valuable introduction and notes.
A seminal work of modern anthropolgy, The Golden Bough also influenced many twentieth-century writers, including D H Lawrence, T S Eliot, and Wyndham Lewis. Its discussion of magical types, the sacrificial killing of kings, the dying god, and the scapegoat is given fresh pertinence in this new edition.
ABOUT THE SERIES: For over 100 years Oxford World’s Classics has made available the widest range of literature from around the globe. Each affordable volume reflects Oxford’s commitment to scholarship, providing the most accurate text plus a wealth of other valuable features, including expert introductions by leading authorities, helpful notes to clarify the text, up-to-date bibliographies for further study, and much more.
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Additional information
| Publisher | OUP Oxford, Reissue edition (26 Feb. 2009) |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| Paperback | 912 pages |
| ISBN-10 | 0199538824 |
| ISBN-13 | 978-0199538829 |
| Dimensions | 19.56 x 4.06 x 12.7 cm |
by Amazon Customer
Prompt delivery of an excellent book that I’ve been meaning to read for some time now.
by Javi
This book is one of the best books I have read so far. The way the author connects through ethnographic examples the myths, magic and religious ceremonies and customs is just amazing. It is true that there are lots of examples to prove some of the theories the author proposes but still it is so interesting to understand the reasons behind the ceremonies and rituals that current and past civilizations and tribes perform.
The theory on the crucifixion of Christ I found it fascinating as the process of the beginning of magic and its connection with religion. I have rad a book afterwards that claimed this book has proved inaccurate though. Wonderful book this one from Frazer
by Hoard Tinkle
This is a fantastic book wether reading as a student or just pleasure, because that what it is a pleasure to read. Frazer over does the examples and they can get a bit tediouse at times but that is only a minor irratation. It is surprisingly easy to read considering the era in which it was written. A book worth reading again and again.
by Golovanov Alexey
The book is simply a must for anyone who is simply interested or studying history of religion, the roots of mythology, folklore, superstitions, ancient witchcraft, anthropology, ethnography… A true encyclopaedia covering the knowledge and prejudices of different tribes and nations. Really well researched and written, provides you with more wide survey than Propp (
Morphology of the Folk Tale (Bibliographical and Special)
– which is a must as well), and more solid than Levi-Strauss (
Myth and Meaning: Cracking the Code of Culture
).
I’ve read it several times, and always happy to re-read
by AliceInWonderland
This is a classic output of early anthropology and therefore hugely fascinating ! Frazer takes the reader on a thrilling journey all over the world, from Italy to Australia and from Eastern Europe to Japan ! Nothing is left unsaid, and if sometimes the author can get tedious by dint of exhaustiveness – which happens often ! -, his descriptions are always gripping with vivid details and a sense of purpose which keeps the reader turning page after page after page ! I read this book from cover to cover in a matter of weeks, and would have read on, had it been longer 🙂
I also disagree with some of the comments posted on this edition stating that Frazer doesn’t stick it out when it comes to transmitting his personal hypotheses about the Crucifixion of Christ : his speculations are truly DARING and they ARE INCLUDED in this Oxford World’s Classics edition, which is not the adulterated one that he was obliged to rewrite with his wife’s help later in his career in order to insure his book’s reception by a wider readership, especially the clerical one… The Oxford University Press (OUP) edition reinstates Frazer’s original text, and all editorial choices are fully explained in the accompanying material. It is not, of course, a complete edition of Frazer’s multi-volume work, but is an HONEST one, well documented as well as presented, and it does succeed in conveying the originality and the charm of a learned spirit, who was intrigued and bewildered by humanity and who knew how to share his LOVE OF HUMANKIND by prompting reflection and enlightened discussion.
This is a TRUE CLASSIC of science and literature combined, and I am convinced that any curious reader might enjoy it, regardless of his or her religious beliefs, because it is a genuine search for TRUTH and a fascinating foray into human nature : Read it, you will not regret it !
by Luke
Bought this as a gift, and I was very happy with the fast delivery from the company and the length + contents of the book.
by cassie1
I had this book many moons ago, but lent it to someone and it was never returned. Had been meaning to replace it but kept forgetting, till now when I came across all the brilliant reviews, and so happy I did it is a really interesting read.
by Ian A. Powell
Seller was pro – no complaints. The only real question is, is this the book you think it is.
A surprising sly read, it can quickly become bewildering for the absolute overkill in structure – so many examples to back up each point, you forget what the point was. The jist of the argument is this: Primitive societies did (and still do have) witches/sorcerers. They claim to control nature/gods. You want it to rain, then you must perform the rain dance to bend the spirits to your will. Sometimes it rains, sometimes it doesn’t (and that’s your fault because you have doubts because you’re the first to complain that it isn’t raining!) If they’re honest the doctor realises it’s got nothing to do with them. So they evolve from controlling the spirit world by demand, to begging for favour. That is, praying. The witch doctor becomes a priest.
But given enough time, they notice the same thing: praying for rain doesn’t mean it will. This gives way to the next transformation: the scientist. You want it to rain? Seed the clouds.
However, the evolution of spiritual civilisation remains the same: the desire to create a thing by demand. This is the human aspiration and it says a great deal about our psyche: God is a template for our own desires.
This book is an overwhelmingly expansive exploration of this cultural development. Not of what be described as an academic text by any means, but it is a gold standard of populist writing.
I only wish someone published a version with pictures!