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The Golden Bough: A Study in Magic and Religion, Volume 1
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Sir James George Frazer's comparative study of anthropology, folklore, and myth has been an influential work for writers and a standard text for scholars since its original publication, in several volumes, in the early part of the 20th century. Frazer was a professor of social anthropology and a classicist.
(This edition was originaly listed as "the Arabic illustrated editi ...more
(This edition was originaly listed as "the Arabic illustrated editi ...more
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Hardcover, Wordsworth Reference, 408 pages
Published
May 13th 2002
by IndyPublish.com
(first published January 1st 1890)
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Showing 1-30
A copy of the Golden Bough is on Col. Kurtz's desk in Apocalypse Now. This is THE key text for Anglo (as opposed to German or French) anthopology in the 19th century. He takes an evolutionist approach to culture, assuming that Western modernity is the peak of civilization. That will totally grate on our contemporary post-modern relativist sensitivities, but the wealth of ethnographic and ethnological data in the work is astounding.
His theory of magic in primitive societies predates Malinowski's ...more
His theory of magic in primitive societies predates Malinowski's ...more
Mar 06, 2011
Crissy
rated it
really liked it
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
folks that find religion and culture interesting
This is an amazing read, although it is an aquired taste. This is a study on the rituals, birthrites and practices in belief systems in so many of our worlds cultures. From kings and queens to human sacrifice and magical lore, this book is the apex of info. At times can be a tough read, but in the end so worth it. Also good as a reference book to keep handy.
I would not have read this had it not been on the 100 Best Scottish Books list and also available from my local Council’s library service. Nevertheless it provided an interesting overview of its subjects. This abridged version - of 759 pages! - has been distilled down from no fewer than twelve volumes. The original must have been a prodigious feat of research and scholarship.
In his preface Frazer states the book’s primary aim was to explain the “remarkable rule which regulated the succession to ...more
In his preface Frazer states the book’s primary aim was to explain the “remarkable rule which regulated the succession to ...more
So clearly it's a work of its time, yet this doesn't diminish its value as a starter point for researching belief systems within an anthropological framework. Written in a non-scholarly manner that still manages to feel relatively modern in approach, ensures that this work is hugely accessible
to anyone with the remotest interest in cults, belief and ritualised behaviours.
to anyone with the remotest interest in cults, belief and ritualised behaviours.
Fascinating, but very repetitive. I recommend getting a condensed version of the book.
A bit too slow and academic for me
This was a very hard book to get through. I'm glad I did, but it was a struggle to read it cover to cover. I tried to read this once before and had to put it down.
Basically, this book is a collection of myths, superstitions, and religious and folk practices. But Frazer sucks all of the interest out of the stories not only by his writing style, but the manner in which he treats the material. According to Frazer, anyone who believes in magic, has a religion, or otherwise participates in folk or re ...more
Basically, this book is a collection of myths, superstitions, and religious and folk practices. But Frazer sucks all of the interest out of the stories not only by his writing style, but the manner in which he treats the material. According to Frazer, anyone who believes in magic, has a religion, or otherwise participates in folk or re ...more
I am disappointed that this far in my academic career I have not had a previous opportunity to read this book. Everything in this book amounts to the subject and discipline of my interest since I first started reading. Yet, somehow, this book never crossed my desk. I won't lie. Frazer presents a somewhat flawed argument with a clear agenda and a clear bias. For instance, there are several cases in which he suggests that Christianity is so correct, that it isn't even possible to view the historic
...more
It is so well written by Sir James that he manages to pull off being condescending and generous to 'savages' as he is often wont to call his ancestors.
It is interesting in the way he follows up and explains ancient customs and rites but he makes the simplistic mistake, homoeopathic as he'd say himself, of thinking that because some pagan customs are similar to religious ones that therefore he has explained the religious impulse. He doesn't seem to understand the pre-figurative nature of people's ...more
It is interesting in the way he follows up and explains ancient customs and rites but he makes the simplistic mistake, homoeopathic as he'd say himself, of thinking that because some pagan customs are similar to religious ones that therefore he has explained the religious impulse. He doesn't seem to understand the pre-figurative nature of people's ...more
Still reading this... the style of writing is a bit stiff, with a very Victorian slant, and the analysis requires readers to step out of their heads for a bit. Frazier draws wild parallels between magical practices across cultures without really exploring how they should be seen in sympathy with each other. I guess that's why this book is widely panned as a scholarly work. But it's still fun to read about his categorisations of various types of magic and the examples he writes about, as a way of
...more
Oct 08, 2008
David
is currently reading it
This book is a very deep wade. So far i am able to say that people use to be a lot crazier than they are today. I can say with certainty that I am better off a wage slaving nobody today than a person from the times described in this book. Imagine that you live in a world that believes everything to be governed by immutable physical laws that can be manipulated by magicians and priests for the benefit or ill of society. Human life means next to nothing in comparison with will of the gods and the
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For most books I consider abridgment a crime, but with this one I really wish I'd gone for a 'Selection from.' The ideas and theories Frazer expounds are compelling and rather convincing, but these theories are probably about 15% of the text. The rest is the seemingly endless evidence he gathered for these theories. His list of sources is a full third of the books length. It's an admirable amount of research, but the casual reader will not get much out of the detailed descriptions of harvest fes
...more
This is a dense book. I had to read every sentence twice at least. It is a very good reference book to understand more about literary symbolism, scientific theory, etc. But I would recommend reading the Hero with a Thousand Faces first to ease you in to Frazer's way of writing. The books are different, but do tend to tackle similar topics.
I read this again and again; it is endlessly interesting to look at cultures through the lens of myth and ritual. The Golden Bough is agreeably gory and the author's rawther posh British sense of superiority to these colorful primitive cultures with their superstitions and pageants--even when the culture is his own--is hilarious.
This is a quite brilliant exposition of man's progression from superstition and primitive magic to religious belief.
The learning and anthropological detail are quite breathtaking.
'The Golden Bough' is a huge read (and this is the abridged edition!), but it repays the investment in spades.
One of my best reads of all time.
The learning and anthropological detail are quite breathtaking.
'The Golden Bough' is a huge read (and this is the abridged edition!), but it repays the investment in spades.
One of my best reads of all time.
A root text in cultural anthropology, but dated and clearly a case of 'armchair anthropology'.
Nonetheless Frazier has archived countless myths from cultures around the world and there are great stories and rich material for any creative venture. The overall premise is forced, though it influenced many others and started a new discipline.
Nonetheless Frazier has archived countless myths from cultures around the world and there are great stories and rich material for any creative venture. The overall premise is forced, though it influenced many others and started a new discipline.
this is a great book if you secretly want to be an anthropologist or are otherwise into folklore. Otherwise you will probably find it pendantic. I think its interesting to watch Frazer diss religion but then superficially suck up to christianity.
Really great for those who like to know where our holidays came from and why our ancestors painted themselves blue. All the superstitions and magical reasoning behind traditions. Really boring for those who are not into mythology.
Scholarly and amazing, the commonly read version is a condensation of a twelve volume work! Ties it all in to intiation and succession rites at the Oracle at Delphi, breaks magic down into two types etc. etc. awesome, if sometimes challenging.
Basically a catalog of belief systems from all over the globe and many civilizations. Comprehensive and fascinating. Every page has such a vast wealth of information, that at times it can be a bit overwhelming. A must read for students of anthropology and comparative religion.
Why am I not surprised this book got a *very* good rating in general on GR? :-)
A few lines of this that caught my eye were mentioned in one of the Mortal Instruments books... I may give it a read soon.
A few lines of this that caught my eye were mentioned in one of the Mortal Instruments books... I may give it a read soon.
I had started reading this one for research for one of my art collections. It has a great number of points to start from, and was a perfect resource for me, but I'm not sure how many people would be interested in reading this "for fun" ; )
An absolutely fantastic read for a lover of all things myth and religion. It's a great philsophical look at the emergence and values of different religious traditions.
This is required reading for anyone interested in the way
Thought changes over time.
Thought changes over time.
Jul 15, 2008
Melissa
rated it
it was amazing
Recommends it for:
anyone who mistakingly thinks Joseph Campbell was revolutionary
Shelves:
the-canon
Completely obsessive-compulsive project here. Rather than reading the 12 volumes, I chose the abridged version. Still a bit hard to get through but fascinating study!
I've pored through this book for inspiration and validation.
Jun 22, 2011
Joseph
is currently reading it
If I had read this when I was young I would have taken different directions in my spiritual life. But I am glad I am reading it now - much to learn.
This book is a compilation of legends, myths, rites and rituals of lesser known traditions, a good place to start for anyone wishing to broaden thier understanding of religions of the world.
Points for thoroughness, but somehow Frazer manages to make the most exciting of myths seem rather dry, which is no small feat. Excellent work of scholarship, not terribly entertaining.
Honestly i never finished it. I just dont see how he relates every religion in the world to the Golden Bough. This is a book I would use for research purposes ONLY.
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Sir James George Frazer was a Scottish social anthropologist influential in the early stages of the modern studies of mythology and comparative religion. His most famous work, The Golden Bough (1890), documents and details the similarities among magical and religious beliefs around the globe. Frazer posited that human belief progressed through three stages: primitive magic, replaced by religion, i
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“Hence the strong attraction which magic and science alike have exercised on the human mind; hence the powerful stimulus that both have given to the pursuit of knowledge. They lure the weary enquirer, the footsore seeker, on through the wilderness of disappointment in the present by their endless promises of the future: they take him up to the top of an exceeding high mountain and show him, beyond the dark clouds and rolling mists at his feet, a vision of the celestial city, far off, it may be, but radiant with unearthly splendour, bathed in the light of dreams.”
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