Jinzhi - Footprints. World Academic Classics (Volume 1 and 2)

Author: (English) Frazer
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2006-09-01
Features: To be precise, The Golden Bough is a foundational work of modern anthropology. Since its publication, it has faced skepticism from all sides, yet it has excellently withstood the test of time. To this day, it remains an authoritative work on the origins of magic and religion. The Golden Bough originated from an ancient local custom: a temple priest was known as the "King of the Forest" but could also be appointed by a fugitive slave. However, any other fugitive slave who could break a branch from the tree he guarded day and night was qualified to duel with him and could kill him to take his place. The origins and existence of this ancient custom are shrouded in doubts. To address this, the author cast a wide net across the world, collecting abundant materials on the primal beliefs of various ethnic groups. Using the comparative method of history, he systematically organized this data, deduced a rigorous system from it, and provided convincing explanations and prospects on the origins and development of magic. Unlike other specialized works, The Golden Bough is written in elegant prose, with clear and lucid reasoning. It narrates customs from around the world with the familiarity of a family heirloom, interspersed with numerous thought-provoking insights and comments. The entire book sparkles with wisdom, rarely dull or stale, making it engaging and hard to put down.