book: The Golden Bough: A Study in Magic and Religion: A New Abridgement from the Second and Third Editions...

book: The Golden Bough: A Study in Magic and Religion: A New Abridgement from the Second and Third Editions (Oxford ... | Sir James George Frazer ...

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	• The Golden Bough: A Study in Magic and Religion: A New Abridgement from the Second and Third Editions (Oxford ... Sir James George Frazer Oxford University Press, USA, 2009 - 1012 pages average customer review:based on 2 reviews view larger image
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The prehistoric basis of religion

James George Frazer (1854-1931), an expert social anthropologist, details the ancient, prehistoric origins of the world's myths, rituals, and religions. He shows the similarities between many cultures' strange superstitions, such as animal and human sacrifice, fertility ritual, community cleansing rituals, and others.

He begins the book with the question of why, at Nemi in ancient, prehistoric Greek times, a warrior priest known as the King of the Wood was kept in his position by fighting for his life, which could be threatened at any time by his successor and murderer. By examining this ancient tradition, Frazer examines many world religious beliefs and shows how the belief in magic and the worship of nature gradually transformed into the worship of religious "kings" and gods.

Controversially, many elements of Christianity are examined and included, such as Christ's crucifixion and the fact that many Christian holidays coincide with the dates of prehistoric pagan rituals. I would advise reading the full, 9-volume edition, which includes the archeological evidence for the theories, before fully rejecting Frazer's ideas.

This book is ESSENTIAL for the studies of mythology, religion, or anthropology.

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A classic study of the beliefs and institutions of mankind, and the progress through magic and religion to scientific thought, The Golden Bough has a unique status in modern anthropology and literature.

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. With new, modern packaging this new edition is a valuable classic to add to your bookshelf.

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