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[RLD]⇒ PDF Free The Golden Bough A Study in Magic and Religion eBook Sir James George Frazer

The Golden Bough A Study in Magic and Religion eBook Sir James George Frazer



Download As PDF : The Golden Bough A Study in Magic and Religion eBook Sir James George Frazer

Download PDF  The Golden Bough A Study in Magic and Religion eBook Sir James George Frazer

Frazer’s The Golden Bough A Study in Magic and Religion, is an authoritative comparative study on religion and mythology.A table of contents is included.

The Golden Bough A Study in Magic and Religion eBook Sir James George Frazer

For as long as this marvelous book has been in print, I am always appalled to find so many intelligent people ostensibly graced with a post graduate liberal education that have no knowledge of it. It is a comprehensive study of religion, myth, and their origins and how they are all intertwined in every society. Daunting in size, even in the abridged edition, it is singular in that the facts and conclusions are all based either on creditable ancient sources or mostly on direct study of primitive, isolated societies still in existence during Frazier's life. There is a minimum of speculation and a maximum of conclusion based on comparison of identical or very similar cultural beliefs and practices. The effect on literature alone is reason enough to read this book.

Product details

  • File Size 1416 KB
  • Print Length 441 pages
  • Publisher Acheron Press (October 13, 2012)
  • Publication Date October 13, 2012
  • Language English
  • ASIN B009XH5RRW

Read  The Golden Bough A Study in Magic and Religion eBook Sir James George Frazer

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The Golden Bough A Study in Magic and Religion eBook Sir James George Frazer Reviews


James Frazer's, "The Golden Bough," is a must read for anyone interested in the comparative study of religion, folklore and magic. This abridged version of a multi-volumed master work will open your eyes to the commonality amongst traditional religious beliefs and practices around the world. One warning though This book may cause an acute existential crisis for Bible heads. If you can't recognize pagan themes and rituals in the old and new testaments -blood sacrifice in particular- then you're better off sticking to bible tract comic books. I also love the cover art of Turner's "Aeneas and the Sibyl."
Product description is for the paperback Oxford University Press edition; this hardback is a 2013 version by Simon and Brown publishers. The binding is cheap plasticized cardboard (the image in the listing is not a dust cover, it is the book itself) and the paper is inferior and likely will turn brown in a few years. The printing covers most of the page from edge to edge with little of the white space that one is used to from quality publishers. As a lover of quality books with over 5000 hardback volumes in my library, I have never come across a piece of trash like this. It is an insult to Fraser and his work.
Although extremely lengthy and at times, dull, it is a must for students of religion, anthropology, and history. Clearly shows man's evolution through myth\magic, religion, and science. Fascinating!
I am re-reading this book. I had forgotten how easy the author's writing is to read. Although it's a 19th century book, the writing seems more modern. The version is very handy. If you haven't read it, this is worth reading. The legend the author researched and described is at the root of many traditional stories.
What else can I say except this is a classic - a treasure-trove of beliefs, rituals and traditions of "Magic" and "Religion" (and wherever the twain, and medicine, do meet). This is an all-encompassing reference book invaluable to those who were mesmerized by Greek mythology, entranced by the sylvan and nature beliefs and rituals of both ancient times and aboriginal practices. Certainly not written with any thought of "political correctness" (Frazer lumps most aboriginal humans - both past and Frazer's present day - as "barbarians" or "savages"), the reader must consider when this was written; yet, one will find terminology still used today (remember the movie "Practical Magic").
In The Golden Bough, James George Frazer, an expert social anthropologist, explains the ancient 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 with the question of why, at Nemi in prehistoric Greek times, a warrior priest known as the King of the Wood kept his position by fighting for his life, which could be threatened at any time by his successor and murderer. By attempting to explain this ancient tradition, Frazer examines similarities between religious beliefs and shows how the belief in magic and the worship of nature was gradually transformed into the worship of religious kings and gods.

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

This book is ESSENTIAL for the studies of mythology, religion, or anthropology.
Yes, this is the abridged version, but it still is over 15k locations in the study of ancient ritual and magical practices. Different cultures and different locations perhaps, but so often humanity came to the same conclusions. It's really quite amazing. Having now read this, it's a reminder of how much great literature is out there that I had never read. The King of the Wood will definitely stay with me forever.

Seriously, if you don't have this get it now.
For as long as this marvelous book has been in print, I am always appalled to find so many intelligent people ostensibly graced with a post graduate liberal education that have no knowledge of it. It is a comprehensive study of religion, myth, and their origins and how they are all intertwined in every society. Daunting in size, even in the abridged edition, it is singular in that the facts and conclusions are all based either on creditable ancient sources or mostly on direct study of primitive, isolated societies still in existence during Frazier's life. There is a minimum of speculation and a maximum of conclusion based on comparison of identical or very similar cultural beliefs and practices. The effect on literature alone is reason enough to read this book.
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