The Golden Bough: A Study in Magic and Religion: A New Abridgement from the Second and Third Editions (Oxford World's Classics) [Paperback]

James George Frazer (Author), Robert Fraser (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 15, 2009 | Series: Oxford World's Classics

A classic study of the beliefs and institutions of mankind, and the progress through magic and religion to scientific thought, The Golden Bough has a unique status in modern anthropology and literature.

First published in 1890, The Golden Bough was eventually issued in a twelve-volume edition (1906-15) which was abridged in 1922 by the author and his wife. That abridgement has never been reconsidered for a modern audience. In it some of the more controversial passages were dropped, including Frazer's daring speculations on the Crucifixion of Christ. For the first time this one-volume edition restores Frazer's bolder theories and sets them within the framework of a valuable introduction and notes. With new, modern packaging this new edition is a valuable classic to add to your bookshelf.
About the Series: For over 100 years Oxford World's Classics has made available the broadest spectrum of literature from around the globe. Each affordable volume reflects Oxford's commitment to scholarship, providing the most accurate text plus a wealth of other valuable features, including expert introductions by leading authorities, voluminous notes to clarify the text, up-to-date bibliographies for further study, and much more.

Editorial Reviews

Review

'In the condensed volume which lies before us we can grasp the masterly plan of the whole work; the mind is fascinated by the author's skill as a constructive thinker and a framer of concepts, and also as a compiler of picturesque detail.' - Spectator '...equally remarkable for its vast assembly of facts and its unusual charm of presentation. Few men of such learning have written more attractively.' - George Sampson, Concise Cambridge History of English Literature 'A classic; theoretically outmoded, but still informative, stimulating and highly readable.' - Maurice Freedman and I. Schapera, Reader's Guide --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author

Sir J. G. Frazer (1854-1941) was fellow of Trinity, Cambridge, and appointed to the first named Chair of Social Anthropology in Liverpool. Robert Frazer is Directer of Studies in English at Trinity College, Cambridge. He is the author of The Making of `The Golden Bough' and Sir James Frazer and the Literary Imagination, both for MacMillan in 1990)

Product Details

• Paperback: 858 pages
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA; Reissue edition (April 15, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0199538824
• ISBN-13: 978-0199538829
• Product Dimensions: 5.1 x 1.6 x 7.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #274,163 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

42 of 43 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars The real deal July 4, 2007

By A. D. Sian

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

I'll skip reviewing the content and speak to book's edition. This is the one that was abridged by the author from a multi-volume, earlier edition. In later years, the tome was watered down and censored due to authorial speculation on the nature of Jesus. All the controversial ideas are present in this particular edition, so it is safe to purchase it and not feel cheated.

29 of 29 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars The prehistoric basis of religion May 28, 2010

By translucenc

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

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.

18 of 21 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars The Golden Bough by Sir James George Frazer June 28, 2006

By Dr. Joseph S. Maresca HALL OF FAMETOP 1000 REVIEWER

Format:Paperback

This is a wonderful book on the origin of beliefs, culture and

classic ceremonies. For instance, the Native American Indians

regarded a person's name as a part of their personality.

In Bohemia, children carry a straw man out of the village to

cast out death. Aphrodite and Old Paphos constitute one of the

most celebrated shrines in the ancient world. In death and

resurrection, Egyptians celebrated life after death. At Lagos in

Guinea, young women were impaled by custom after spring equinox

in order to secure a good crop that year. Festivities were

prepared in order to coincide with the summer and winter solstices.

The work would be perfect for students of world culture,

fine arts, language and literature.