Review: Cows, pigs, wars, & witchesEditorial Review - Kirkus ReviewsBeware all ye who may scoff at Indians who establish old-age homes for cows, or New Guinea primitives who build airports on which planes never land, or Kwakiutl chieftains who impoverish themselves by giving away their wealth -- this is a fascinating revisionist work which attempts to combat the largely descriptive state of current anthropological studies by giving precise materialistic explanations to seemingly inexplicable, nonrational religious and/or social behavior. Thus, it's not that a Hindu farmer would rather go hungry than eat beef; it's just that he will certainly starve if he has no animal to pull his plow, hence the religious taboo is a consequence (rather than a cause) of economic necessity. The author's arguments concerning the curious dichotomy between Jesus the Jewish warrior-Messiah and the peace-bearing Son of God (certain sections of the Gospels were added later to show the Romans that the Christians were no threat) seem convoluted at best, and those concerning the witch hunts of the Inquisition are unconvincing. In addition, Harris' attack on Charles Reich and the Consciousness III folk (remember them?) seems about as irrationally anachronistic as he accuses them of being. Nonetheless, this is a well-intended, engrossing study. User reviewsReview: Cows, Pigs, Wars, and Witches: The Riddles of CultureUser Review - David Oliver - GoodreadsOne of the most influential books I've ever read. I reference it often with my kids. Can't wait until they are old enough to read it themselves. Read full review Review: Cows, Pigs, Wars, and Witches: The Riddles of CultureUser Review - Dylan Benito - GoodreadsInteresting anthropology book. A bit dated, but it was nice to read a book that has been referenced so often in current anthropology books. Read full review Review: Cows, Pigs, Wars, and Witches: The Riddles of CultureUser Review - Goodreadsvaguely recall from college days. interesting details. stuff about ecology. but the title is what my friends and i liked. we chanted it often. one day i will look at it again. Review: Cows, Pigs, Wars, and Witches: The Riddles of CultureUser Review - Lisa Redmond - GoodreadsThought-provoking. Read full review Review: Cows, Pigs, Wars, and Witches: The Riddles of CultureUser Review - Kim Ciniello - GoodreadsA must read. Seriously thought provoking. Read full review Review: Cows, Pigs, Wars, and Witches: The Riddles of CultureUser Review - Sankara - GoodreadsA very good book that I had read a few years back. Teaches us to view cultures and traditions in a totally new perspective. Read full review Review: Cows, Pigs, Wars, and Witches: The Riddles of CultureUser Review - Velon Willis - GoodreadsOne of the most enlightening books, I've ever read Read full review Review: Cows, Pigs, Wars, and Witches: The Riddles of CultureUser Review - Noam - Goodreadspretty good. jesus stuff particularly interesting. not the sort of thing i would usually read, but i am glad i read it - and that is saying an awful lot for an assigned reading Read full review Review: Cows, Pigs, Wars, and Witches: The Riddles of CultureUser Review - Chuck - GoodreadsRe-reading old anthropology book from college, which deals with the origins of myths, taboos, and other cultural phenomena. Still find it fascinating and interesting. This book challenges those who ... Read full review | User ratings| 5 stars | | | 4 stars | | | 3 stars | | | 2 stars | | | 1 star | |
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