The Golden Bough: Free Download
Dec 1, 2009 History, Learning and Knowledge, Religion and Ethics
A ground-breaking study of disparate cultures across the globe, comparing practices and beliefs from the external soul in folktales to the resurrection of god-figures in an attempt to find out if there are elements common to all human cultures. It was first published in 1890, and the tone reflects this – the author’s attitude towards his subjects can be downright insulting at times, and they are frequently referred to as “primitives.” Frazer’s idea of cultural evolution, with civilisations naturally emerging from a child-like belief in magic to gradually embrace the scientific method, may be a little simplistic, and some of his research methods have been heavily criticised. However, this remains a classic work of comparative cultural anthropology and was absolutely pioneering for its time, and is still an eye-opening insight into the nature of belief and the many forms it takes.
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