Sir James Frazer The golden bough : a study in magic and religion The Macmillan and Co., London 1922 xiv, 756 pages : frontispiece ; 23 cm The Golden Bough is a wide-ranging comparative study of myth, magic, religion, and ritual, first published in 1890. The book is named after the “Golden Bough” in Virgil’s Aeneid, a sacred branch that grants Aeneas access to the underworld. Frazer uses it as a symbol of ancient ritual, sacred kingship, and the cycle of death and renewal that lies at the heart of the book. The book opens with the enigmatic ritual of the priest-king of Nemi in ancient Italy, a figure who ruled only so long as he could defend his position through ritual combat, and Frazer uses this haunting legend as a starting point to trace parallels across Europe, the Mediterranean, Africa, Asia, and the Americas, seeking common patterns in human belief. Frazer argues that human thought evolves through identifiable stages, progressing from magic, which seeks to control nature directly, to religion, which appeals to divine beings, and finally to science, which relies on empirical reasoning. The book draws on an enormous range of sources, including classical texts, medieval folklore, travelers’ reports, missionary accounts, and biblical narratives. Central themes include sacred kingship, seasonal fertility rites, human and animal sacrifice, ritual purity, taboo, and the recurring myth of the dying and reviving god associated with agricultural cycles. Frazer devotes extensive attention to vegetation deities such as Osiris, Adonis, Attis, and Balder, interpreting their stories as symbolic expressions of nature’s death and renewal. Although written as a work of scholarship, its rich imagery, narrative drive, and bold comparisons made it accessible to general readers as well as academics. Over successive studies, amplifications and editions, the book expanded dramatically, eventually filling twelve volumes and becoming a foundational text of early anthropology and comparative religion. Today, even though some of its conclusions are considered outdated, The Golden Bough is still used and valued for its historical significance, literary power, and lasting influence on modern thought as well as for its scientific accuracy. James George Frazer was a Scottish scholar born in 1854, educated at Glasgow and Cambridge, and trained as a classicist. He studied religion and mythology through texts rather than fieldwork, believing universal patterns shaped human belief. Influenced by Victorian evolutionary ideas, he wrote in an elegant style that reached a wide audience. His work left a lasting impact on anthropology, religious studies, and modern literature. The first Abridged Edition (1922) came in a 1 volume format, with the purpose to make the work accessible to general readers. Frazer himself selected and edited the material and removed many technical references and repetitions. It has become the most widely read version, influencing writers like T. S. Eliot, D. H. Lawrence, and James Joyce. Blue hardback, gilt title on the spine and gilt title and decoration on the front cover. Stain/discoloration on back cover (as per picture). Minimal wear, no foxing. Pages are bright and the text is clear. Some pages are uncut. Frontispiece (Lake Nemi) facing the title page. PS: I'll ship the book carefully packaged in bubble wrap, via An Post, the Irish Postal Service ("Registered Post, Tracking & Insurance included to protect your valuable items"). I will provide the tracking number once dispatched