Gerhard O. (nccorthu) reviewed Cows, Pigs, Wars and Witches: The Riddle of Culture on + 569 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Interesting book on the anthropology of cults. While providing so interesting insights on various "strange" cults and beliefs he may be pushing the envelope on some of his theories its still well worth reading.
Helpful Score: 1
a funny look at myths and another way to see them
Sam H. (Sandee) -
The riddles of culture. One of America's leading anthropologists offers solutions to the question of why people behave the way they do. Great book!
Thomas F. (hardtack) -
Parts of this book are fascinating and parts are boring as hell.
I really enjoyed reading about how not eating cows in India and the Jewish/Moslem edict against eating pork really make excellent, ecological and economical sense. I had wondered about these apparent 'stupid' ideas all my life. Now I am more knowledgeable and content to realize I was the foolish (ignorant) one.
But when he gets into Jesus, witches and some other stuff. I lost interest quickly. Fortunately, this is only in the last third of the book and each topic is a chapter in itself. So you can skip the parts you have no interest in.
I really enjoyed reading about how not eating cows in India and the Jewish/Moslem edict against eating pork really make excellent, ecological and economical sense. I had wondered about these apparent 'stupid' ideas all my life. Now I am more knowledgeable and content to realize I was the foolish (ignorant) one.
But when he gets into Jesus, witches and some other stuff. I lost interest quickly. Fortunately, this is only in the last third of the book and each topic is a chapter in itself. So you can skip the parts you have no interest in.
