A General Theory of Magic (Routledge Classics) [Paperback]

Marcel Mauss (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 25, 2001 | ISBN-10: 0415253969 | ISBN-13: 978-0415253963 | Edition: 2

First written by Marcel Mauss and Henri Humbert in 1902, A General Theory of Magic gained a wide new readership when republished by Mauss in 1950. As a study of magic in 'primitive' societies and its survival today in our thoughts and social actions, it represents what Claude Lévi-Strauss called, in an introduction to that edition, the astonishing modernity of the mind of one of the century's greatest thinkers. The book offers a fascinating snapshot of magic throughout various cultures as well as deep sociological and religious insights still very much relevant today. At a period when art, magic and science appear to be crossing paths once again, A General Theory of Magic presents itself as a classic for our times.

Editorial Reviews

Review

'It is enough to recall that Mauss' influence is not limited to ethnographers, none of whom could claim to have escaped it, but extends also to linguists, psychologists, historians or religion and orientalists.' - Claude Lévi-Strauss

Language Notes

Text: English, French (translation) --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Routledge; 2 edition (May 25, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0415253969
• ISBN-13: 978-0415253963
• Product Dimensions: 5.1 x 0.8 x 7.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #825,230 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

46 of 47 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A classic of Anthropology! November 15, 2002

By A Customer

Format:Paperback

This book, first published in 1902-1903, in co-authorship with H. Hubert, is one of the classics of Anthropology. Marcel Mauss, disciple and nephew of great French sociologist Emile Durkheim, strongly influenced generations of anthropologists, including Claude Lévi-Strauss. The book stablished a new pattern for understanding the magical and religious phenomena. Unfortunaly, the two previous reviewrs seems to have looking for something very different. It is not a how-to-do book, it is for people interested in the Social Sciences.

7 of 11 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Crossing the Pond July 10, 2008

By Mick Bysshe

Format:Paperback

I first heard of Marcel Mauss while reading Daniel O'Keefe's *Stolen Lightning* and knew I wanted to learn more on Mauss, who is not that well known here in the United States.

Mauss mentions sympathetic magic as being part of many cultures as does O'Keefe. Mauss might have been interested in Jung's concept of synchronicity as a form of sympathetic magic or even the concept of apophenia if he had lived when the word was created in the late 1950s.

This book does not explain how magic works. Those looking for a how-to will be disappointed as another reviewer has pointed out.

3 of 65 people found the following review helpful

1.0 out of 5 stars What is Magic About? October 24, 2002

By Brian Cheong

Format:Paperback

After reading this book, I still haven't got a clue what magic is about. This one goes to the trash bin.