James George Frazer wrote comparative studies of myth, ritual, religion and magic that became highly influential in anthropology, literature and the study of folklore, even though many of his methods are now considered outdated. The Golden Bough gathers examples from many cultures around themes such as sacred kingship, sacrifice, seasonal ritual and the relationship between magic and religion. Frazer worked largely from published reports rather than fieldwork and often arranged societies within evolutionary schemes typical of his period. The prose is expansive, confident and rich in examples, making the book as important for intellectual history as for its original anthropological claims. His work fits mythology, comparative religion, folklore and history of anthropology, particularly for readers interested in later writers influenced by his frameworks. Read more Less
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