This book challenges those who argue that we can change the world by changing the way people think. Harris shows that no matter how bizarre a peopl...
read full description
reviews
Jun 20, 2009
Alex
rated it: 
Why do Jews and Muslims refuse to eat pork? Why were thousands of witches burned at the stake during late medieval Europe? These and other riddles are explored by famous anthropologist Marvin Harris, and his conclusions are simple: people act within social and ecological contexts that make their actions meaningful. Put another way: cultural ideas and practices that seem strange to us may actually be vital and necessary to the people of those cultures.
Harris is especially good at expl More...
Harris is especially good at expl More...
0 comments
like
(3 people liked it)
May 23, 2011
ryeginald
rated it: 
Unexpectedly turned out to be one of the most though-provoking and fascinating cultural studies I've ever read. Everyone should have a few horizon-wideners on their book list -- this should be one of them.
0 comments
like
(2 people liked it)
Jul 19, 2011
John
rated it: 
Civilizations, even the most advanced among them, are invariably strewn with mythologies, folklore, and recherche taboo. While the contemporary United States would itself provide enough material for a multi-volume study of this kind, Marvin Harris focuses mostly on pre-scientific and pre-literate peoples to answer questions like: Why do Hindus not eat cows, while Jews avoid pork instead? How do you explain the concept of the Messiah? Why was the belief in witches in medieval Europe so prevale
More...
3 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
Nov 08, 2008
Tyler
rated it:
Marvin Harris intends to apply scientific theory to some of the great cultural riddles of the world. Why do Hindus love cows? Why do Jews hate pigs? Unfortunately, like an evolutionary biologist trying to explain why humans have pinky toes, he comes across as making up just-so stories. The theories are plausible, but that doesn't make them accurate. The truth in a just-so story is always in what it tells us about the storyteller. In this case, he's a 1970s academic.
One more thing: S More...
One more thing: S More...
0 comments
like
(2 people liked it)
Sep 28, 2007
Bookwormdragon
rated it:
This book is required reading for my Political Science 101 class, and for once a professor has managed to select an interesting book.
This is an interesting look at some of the cultural riddles that tend to mystify Westerners - like Cow Love in India, Pig Hate in the Middle East, Cargo Cults, etc. Harris explains how these seemingly ridiculous (to us) behaviors are actually perfectly sensible and successful adaption strategies. A short and pleasant read, well researched and written. I high More...
This is an interesting look at some of the cultural riddles that tend to mystify Westerners - like Cow Love in India, Pig Hate in the Middle East, Cargo Cults, etc. Harris explains how these seemingly ridiculous (to us) behaviors are actually perfectly sensible and successful adaption strategies. A short and pleasant read, well researched and written. I high More...
0 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
Jun 12, 2007
David
rated it:
Cows are inefficiently raised and devoured in the United States, while in India, people would rather go hungry than eat cow flesh. In the Jewish and Moslem tradition, pigs are unclean and cannot be consumed; while in others, gargantuan pig feasts are more holy than the Thanksgiving turkey. Is this just part of the inexplicable side of human nature, or are there understandable reasons for these cultural curiosities? Harris shows that these bizarre displays of cultural variety play an important an
More...
0 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
Dec 27, 2009
Roger
rated it:
I picked this up again last week and enjoyed it greatly. Harris does great job of describing the material bases for numerous cultural phenomena, beginning with the sacred cows of Hinduism, and moving on through the roots of the worship and hatred of pigs, messianic military leadership and Christianity, to witchcraft, anti-witch pogroms, and the counter-culture. Something I really enjoyed about Harris' voice in this book is the sense of barely contained anger that imbues it.
The main More...
The main More...
Jul 25, 2011
manuti
rated it:
Una de las cosas buenas que tiene que Criptonomicón se publicase en 3 partes es que pude hacer un intermedio y leer este magnífico ensayo entre las partes 2 y 3.
Como ya he dicho, este libro me parece genial, y le doy 5 estrellas (de lo mejor que leí en 2005). Puedo decir que me transformó y que me hizo interesarme por la antropología y plantearme la historia y la imagen que tenemos de las distintas culturas de una forma completamente distinta a como veía el mundo antes de leer este libro.
More...
Feb 13, 2010
Dionne
rated it:
I enjoyed reading this book because I enjoy the study of societies and cultures. I found it the easiest read of any sociological book yet. It took me about 3 days to read it. It reads almost like a fiction book. He has some very interesting theories about why people do certain things in certain cultures. Actually it's pretty much one theory: They develop...or create...these cultural rules, deities, etc. to balance out the economic ecosystem of a society. It is a good theory but a somewhat o
More...
Aug 18, 2009
Kellyann
rated it: 
Harris, an anthropologist, takes the most extreme forms of human behavior and belief and tries to explain them in practical terms, ecologically, historically, economically. Fascinating and insightful.
The chapter on Cargo cults made me extremely interested in the following chapter on messianism; cargo isn't just LIKE messianism, it is a form of it. Unfortunately, my trust in him was shaken when I found his research on messiah theology and history to be completely shoddy. For exampl More...
The chapter on Cargo cults made me extremely interested in the following chapter on messianism; cargo isn't just LIKE messianism, it is a form of it. Unfortunately, my trust in him was shaken when I found his research on messiah theology and history to be completely shoddy. For exampl More...
Nov 28, 2007
Allison
rated it:
I read this for a class in Religious studies. This book isn't a fun read but it gives you insight into why certain traditions and beliefs have evolved. An eye-opener!
0 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
May 04, 2008
Houry
rated it:
What a great perspective of cultural differences and why groups behave the way they do.
0 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
Oct 16, 2011
Becca
rated it:
The first couple of chapters were mild-blowingly good. I thought Harris' explanations of foods that are taboo or vaunted and how those roles are not only logical, but dictated by the socioenvironmental setting in which they originate fascinating. He treats cultural norms as almost the results of Darwinian processes, which is a fascinating and really revolutionary approach. I was awed both by his treatment of rules that are second nature to me, like Jewish dietary laws, as well as those that w
More...
Feb 17, 2009
Marshall
rated it:
This is a fascinating book about anthropology. The book literally is about cows, pigs, wars, and witches, but what this plain title can't convey is how this book is packed with riveting explanations of the mysteries of cultural attitudes toward these four things, or how profoundly relevant solving these mysteries are for understanding our own culture.
Why do Indians worship cows? Many Indians don't even know, but after reading this book's explanation, you'll understand all the histo More...
Why do Indians worship cows? Many Indians don't even know, but after reading this book's explanation, you'll understand all the histo More...
Jul 02, 2007
Ian
rated it:
At the end of the book, Harris writes that he likes to "de-mystify the world's mysteries," and that is precisely what he sets out to do and what I love about this book.
While other books by Harris might be more educational on a "world history" scale, this book investigates cultural-religious institutions and beliefs that are certainly relevant and educational. Harris doesn't really care what people and cultures believe, but instead he tries to explain why they beli More...
While other books by Harris might be more educational on a "world history" scale, this book investigates cultural-religious institutions and beliefs that are certainly relevant and educational. Harris doesn't really care what people and cultures believe, but instead he tries to explain why they beli More...
Dec 27, 2011
Tamara
rated it:
This book is a good introduction to the idea of cultural relativity. The concept that in a group's particular situation their behavior generally makes sense, no matter how strange it may seem to outside observers. Not academic and now rather dated, but good none the less.
Oct 03, 2010
this is one of my favorite books of all times, i bought it and loaned it so someone and i had to buy a new copy, and i loaned this one too and now i have to buy another copy. It really breaks down all the mythes of religions and witchcrafts. Highly recommended.
May 31, 2010
Laura
rated it:
Interesting book about the anthropological reasons behind religious beliefs or taboos that may seem, to other cultures, bizarre. Lost the plot and dated itself a bit in the last chapter on new age/hippiedom of the '70s, which the author apparently did not enjoy.
Dec 16, 2009
Ronny
rated it:
Salah satu buku paling inspiratif yang pernah saya baca!! Sebelum Jared Diamond menyadarkan dunia tentang kemampuan adaptasi ekologis suatu peradaban untuk bisa bertahan, Marvin Harris telah memakai tesis tersebut untuk menyelidiki teka teki kebudayaan, misalnya: Mengapa ada kebudayaan yang mengharamkan babi, sementara ada kebudayaan lainnya yang bukan hanya menghalalkan, namun juga memuja, babi? Mengapa penganut Hindu di India mengagungkan lembu, namun pada saat yang sama juga mengeksploitir le
More...
Jul 15, 2009
Somewhat dated by todays academic standards in defference to Witchcraft, and it seems to rely too heavely on the extremist wrought by the late (and, indeed, mendacious) Prof. Norman Cohn, as with Prof. Ronald Hutton's material.
Jan 08, 2011
James
rated it:
Great few chapters analyzing unique aspects of different societies. However the book seemed dated at the end as the author gave a lengthy critique of the counter-culture (the book was published in the early 70s)
Jul 11, 2011
Dallas
rated it:
A book I recommend everyone read. Harris lays down some intriguing anthropology that presents a Darwinian look at the evolution of human societies. I definitely enjoy this one.
Jan 24, 2011
Jluisr
rated it:
Como todas las obras de Harris, muy entretenidas, sorprendentes, cautivadoras, pero en muchas ocasiones con teorías muy discutibles que sólo él (o su escuela) para sostener.
Sep 28, 2010
Erin
rated it:
WONDERFUL book with short essays discussing various cultural eccentricities, if you can call them that; you'll definitely learn something without even thinking about it. Harris has a congenial, intelligent tone that makes his navigation through witch trials, cargo cultures, and the roots of Christianity, Islam, and Hinduism extremely entertaining. I'd highly recommend this book to anyone interested in the world around them - thus, I'd recommend this book to ANYone. Glad this was part of my Cultu
More...
Jun 22, 2009
Jennifer
rated it:
Interesting, food for thought book. Reminded me of a cross between Freakonomics and Guns Germs and Steel.
The ending was a bit odd, I was trying to decide if the author was trying to sell this idea of Consciousness III. His previously strong arguments suddenly went a bit sales pitch-y. I wondered if he was struggling to determine how to wrap up the end of the book. More...
The ending was a bit odd, I was trying to decide if the author was trying to sell this idea of Consciousness III. His previously strong arguments suddenly went a bit sales pitch-y. I wondered if he was struggling to determine how to wrap up the end of the book. More...
Dec 13, 2008
Jonathan
rated it:
My favorite book about anthropology. The author doesn't try to drown you in erudition and sets out human behavior with explanations vividly.
Mar 14, 2011
Hilary
rated it:
This was a truly entertaining read. While I've always been fascinated by the Jewish aversion to pork, especially considering my own family's love for bacon, I found the whole book filled with bizarre and interesting factoids. I was especially taken by Harris's discussion of canibalism, which put in the context of modern day warfare, does seem more humane than I would have previously considered.
It not only made me question, if only momentarily, whether I shouldn't just resume vegetarianis More...
It not only made me question, if only momentarily, whether I shouldn't just resume vegetarianis More...
Jan 25, 2009
Valerie
rated it:
One of the most entertaining anthropologists. A lot of interesting material here. If you like Harris try Jared Diamond.
Jan 07, 2011
Jason
rated it:
An American anthropologist explains the social and cultural significance of rituals throughout the world. Very informative.
Nov 21, 2008
Harold
rated it:
Outstanding book! I thought it wandered off a bit with the witches, in the end, but it's still great, overall.
