- Hardcover
- Publisher: Cosmo Publications; New edition edition (30 Mar 2005)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 8130700212
- ISBN-13: 978-8130700212
- Product Dimensions: 22 x 15 x 7 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 1,273,001 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
The Golden Bough
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Product Description
Review
"Frazer's work has epic scale yet mesmerizing fineness of detail. We see the great structures of civilization forming and melting against a background of elemental mystery. The effect is cinematic and sublime." --Camille Paglia
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Product Description
First published in 1890, this classic work was eventually issued in a 12-volume edition (1906-15). It is a study of the beliefs and institutions of mankind and the progress through magic and religion to scientific thought. The book was abridged in 1922, but not reconsidered for a modern audience until this new abridgement, which restores Frazer's bolder theories, including Frazer's daring speculations on the Crucifixion of Christ, and sets them within the framework of a useful introduction and notes. The book was a seminal work of modern anthropology which influenced many 20th-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 pertinences in this new edition. Robert Fraser is the author of "The Making of 'The Golden Bough'" and "Sir James Frazer and the Literary Imagination".
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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First Sentence
Who does not know Turner's picture of the Golden Bough? Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
Who does not know Turner's picture of the Golden Bough? Read the first page
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Concordance
Browse Sample PagesConcordance
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
55 of 62 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Get the abridged Oxford World's Classics edition which includes Frazer's original speculation on the wholly ritual, and symbolic, nature of Christ's crucifixion and, overall, you'll digest a book that will speak to you in ways you never imagined a book could. A sweeping account, from the very dawn of recorded history to the relative present, of Mankind's beliefs, traditions and rituals, The Golden Bough propels you from the start into an epic true story of nothing less than Mankind's inexhaustable quest for an understanding of - and union with - the mysterious, divine powers that create and sustain the world's existence.
With this remarkable work, so brilliantly researched and weaved together, we learn that universal themes and common tribal practices have been adopted by Man throughout all of history, and across all the world's diverse cultures, suggesting that we really do operate from a "collective unconsciousness", as Swiss therapist Jung termed it.
What is strongly suggested from Frazer's starkly drawn postcards from the past is that the enactment of myth and ritual may actually have a real impact, both esoterically and exoterically, on actual life and nature. It's not all cosmetic or mere superstition. And, indeed, once we re-engage with these universal, deeply rooted ideas, we might even find a registering of their phenomena in our personal and collective psyche. Reading this book for these metaphysical side effects alone is worth the investment!
In an ideal, spiritually oriented world, this book would be read in primary schools world-wide as a vital companion to Darwinism, to teach children how modern religion is nothing more than a re-branding of old myths and rituals - with these religions, in turn, being grossly misinterepted as facts instead of symbols, and entrusted to the "teachings" of a corrupt, inept and hopelessly unenlightened church order. The best we can do in the absence of this book being compulsory reading in schools is to get a copy as soon as we hear about it as adults and let Frazer's genius do the rest. What are you waiting for?
With this remarkable work, so brilliantly researched and weaved together, we learn that universal themes and common tribal practices have been adopted by Man throughout all of history, and across all the world's diverse cultures, suggesting that we really do operate from a "collective unconsciousness", as Swiss therapist Jung termed it.
What is strongly suggested from Frazer's starkly drawn postcards from the past is that the enactment of myth and ritual may actually have a real impact, both esoterically and exoterically, on actual life and nature. It's not all cosmetic or mere superstition. And, indeed, once we re-engage with these universal, deeply rooted ideas, we might even find a registering of their phenomena in our personal and collective psyche. Reading this book for these metaphysical side effects alone is worth the investment!
In an ideal, spiritually oriented world, this book would be read in primary schools world-wide as a vital companion to Darwinism, to teach children how modern religion is nothing more than a re-branding of old myths and rituals - with these religions, in turn, being grossly misinterepted as facts instead of symbols, and entrusted to the "teachings" of a corrupt, inept and hopelessly unenlightened church order. The best we can do in the absence of this book being compulsory reading in schools is to get a copy as soon as we hear about it as adults and let Frazer's genius do the rest. What are you waiting for?
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Essential reading for those interested in mythology, religion, paganism and anthropology in general
15 Jan 2012
Format:Paperback
Long, repetitive, dated...and yet utterly gripping. When reading this book, it is tempting to believe that it holds the key to explaining all aspects of symbolic and ritualistic behaviour, from casual superstition to world religion.
Using the concept of sympathetic magic as a basis, Frazer outlines the origin of religion from its origins in 'primitive' animism and witchcraft. It takes a thematic approach, using a huge number of examples of particular ritualistic behaviour from cultures around the world, to illustrate the reasons behind common traits in world beliefs. The result is a comprehensive and convincing study that explains almost every kind of rite and ritual - even those that still pervade in modern times.
Despite its academic tone and (literally) weighty volume, Golden Bough is surprisingly easy reading. What's more, although it is sequential, once you have read the first section (which outlines the concept of sympathetic magic), it is possible to read the book from any section - and I guarantee that there is something to surprise and intrigue on every page.
On its downsides, the lack of citations or bibliography does mean that the reader has to trust that Frazer's accounts of world cultures (many of which are bizarre in the extreme) are genuine, and not fabrications invented merely to support his theories. From a stylistic perspective, I imagine many would find the book's typical structure (outline of theory -> huge number of anecdotal examples to support theory -> progression to next theory) rather laborious at times.
Despite this, I still found this book a very rewarding and inspiring work, and recommend as essential reading for anyone with an interest in mythology, religion and spirituality.
Using the concept of sympathetic magic as a basis, Frazer outlines the origin of religion from its origins in 'primitive' animism and witchcraft. It takes a thematic approach, using a huge number of examples of particular ritualistic behaviour from cultures around the world, to illustrate the reasons behind common traits in world beliefs. The result is a comprehensive and convincing study that explains almost every kind of rite and ritual - even those that still pervade in modern times.
Despite its academic tone and (literally) weighty volume, Golden Bough is surprisingly easy reading. What's more, although it is sequential, once you have read the first section (which outlines the concept of sympathetic magic), it is possible to read the book from any section - and I guarantee that there is something to surprise and intrigue on every page.
On its downsides, the lack of citations or bibliography does mean that the reader has to trust that Frazer's accounts of world cultures (many of which are bizarre in the extreme) are genuine, and not fabrications invented merely to support his theories. From a stylistic perspective, I imagine many would find the book's typical structure (outline of theory -> huge number of anecdotal examples to support theory -> progression to next theory) rather laborious at times.
Despite this, I still found this book a very rewarding and inspiring work, and recommend as essential reading for anyone with an interest in mythology, religion and spirituality.
5 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
With an encyclopaedic knowledge, the diverse cultural practices of mans expression of spiritualism are laid out in astounding detail. thousands of Pagan, Christian and other religious customs and practices are described. The symbolism of the Yule log, the significance of the Bull in Greek mythology to its arrival in India as to sacred cow, to its transformation into the Pig by the time it reaches China centuries later! The siginificance of dances, burial customs, birth rites, and just about every conceivable cultural practice are covered in this book.
This is an indispensible guide to any anthropologist living with natives and teasing out abstruse and dying customs. Frazer has covered almost every society, and this book as a source for cross referencing of religious and spiritual cultural practices is unsurpassable by any modern author. A real classic that shows the common origins of man, through the commonality and diversity of his practices.
This is an indispensible guide to any anthropologist living with natives and teasing out abstruse and dying customs. Frazer has covered almost every society, and this book as a source for cross referencing of religious and spiritual cultural practices is unsurpassable by any modern author. A real classic that shows the common origins of man, through the commonality and diversity of his practices.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
A seminal work
Mr Casaubon in "Middlemarch" famously is writing "The Key to All Mythologies". His researches become bogged down in an ever-increasing swamp of footnotes, cross-references and... Read more
Published 7 months ago by Peasant
Hughes to Graves to Fraser
I encountered this as undergraduate; I had had Graves' "The White Goddess" thrust into my hands by an enthusiastic reader - my house-mate - who had discovered it after deep and... Read more
Published 8 months ago by RR Waller
Golden Classic
The core of classical anthropology is here.
It illuminates (in cases with near-comical clarity) the extent to which mainstream religions have inherited custom, practice... Read more
It illuminates (in cases with near-comical clarity) the extent to which mainstream religions have inherited custom, practice... Read more
Published 23 months ago by Howard Somerville
A classic
I bought this copy to replace my old, worn out one. Most definately worth a read.
Published on 18 May 2010 by Little Owl
Handbook to the ancient spiritual traditions and practices of our...
Nothing short of a comprehensive handbook to the ancient spiritual practices and traditions of our ancestors. Read more
Published on 23 Jun 2009 by J. Higgins
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Published on 2 Dec 2002 by Selim
More ideas than you can shake a magic stick at.
This work scores a big fat zero for political correctness and it is occasionally infuriating because of its outmoded conclusions, but it reveals a wonderful picture of a lost age... Read more
Published on 24 Aug 2002 by Tyrone Cowley
A charming and witty study although old fashioned and slow
Although old fashioned in presentation, method and writing style (and apparently opinion) this graceful text drives you from myth and folklore to magic and voodoo, a journey around... Read more
Published on 6 April 2001
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Have you ever had a seemingly impossible to win argument? Or needed an excuse for an impromptu celebration? Then grab a copy of The Golden Bough... Read more
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