Description: Folio Society – THE GOLDEN BOUGH: A Study in Magic and Religion by Sir James George Frazer A subversive study of religion folklore and the workings of the human mind, that scandalised its first readers and still retains the power to shock Over 125 years after it first appeared, The Golden Bough remains a uniquely disturbing masterpiece – a ground-breaking exploration of the twisted roots of magic, ritual and religious belief, and a transformative influence for writers from Eliot to Hemingway, Lovecraft to Freud. The life-work of James George Frazer (1854–1941), a pioneering Cambridge University anthropologist, The Golden Bough set out to elucidate a mysterious Roman tradition: that a runaway slave could inherit the priesthood at the shrine of Nemi by chopping a branch from a nearby sacred tree, then murdering the incumbent. But Frazer’s obsessive search for ancient and modern parallels opened up a dark world of fertility rites and human sacrifice, sacred kings and dying gods. His unprecedented comparative approach revealed shocking connections between tribal ceremonies and contemporary Christian practices, a view that challenged religious dogma and shattered nineteenth-century prejudices about ‘civilised’ and ‘primitive’ man. Originally published as two volumes, The Golden Bough eventually filled a staggering twelve books. This Folio Society edition uses Robert Frazer’s masterful 1994 abridgement, retaining the authoritative introduction notes and has been lavishly illustrated for the first time, with over 70 pages of archaeological, ethnographic and artistic images. Romy Blümel’s stunning bindings of gold and white images that recall Greek vase decoration, a slipcase decorated with an oak and mistletoe motif, and gilded page-tops complete this deluxe edition of a truly unique work. ‘When all is said and done our resemblances to the savage are still far more numerous than our differences from him’ DESCRIPTION: Abridged, introduced and annotated by Robert Fraser. Bound in printed and blocked cloth with designs by Romy Blümel. Set in Miller Text. Volume one, 464 pages; volume two, 520 pages. Frontispiece and 72 pages of colour and black & white plates. Blocked slipcase. Gilded tops. Size: 10˝ x 6¾˝ CONDITION: Book is NEW and SEALED in the publisher’s original SHRINK WRAP (see photos). Photos 1 to 7 are of the actual book that is listed. Whilst photos 8 to 13 are stock photos. Due to the heavy weight of the book (approx. 3.5 kilos when packed), postage will be via the Parcelforce express48hr service at a cost of £9.50 All items are sent at cost price whether purchasing a single or multiple items. Due to size, weight and value considerations it is not possible to accurately calculate combined postage automatically. Always feel free to ask or if purchases require immediate payment I will refund any difference. All items must be sent to the address stipulated during the payment process. All items are sent via recorded delivery unless they are of little monetary value. Virtually all my items are available through the global shipping program (GSP) to designated countries outside the UK. Please note I have no control over international postage costs. I do not set these, eBay's GSP does, I send the items to an address in the UK and am not even aware of the country for which they are destined. Items purchased through the GSP must be sent via the GSP shipping centre. For multiple purchases, I cannot combine postage after items are purchased but if you contact me before buying I can try combining multiple items into a single listing which is usually less expensive. Please ask any questions before buying
Price: 349.99 GBP
Location: UK
End Time: 2024-11-29T22:06:47.000Z
Shipping Cost: 69.58 GBP
Product Images
Item Specifics
Return postage will be paid by: Buyer
Returns Accepted: Returns Accepted
After receiving the item, your buyer should cancel the purchase within: 14 days
Binding: Hardback
Non-Fiction Subject: Comparative Religion
Language: English
Subject 2: Occult Magic
Subject 1: Anthropological Folklore
Fiction Subject: N/A
Author: Sir James George Frazer
Introducer: Robert Fraser
Publisher: Folio Society