Magic and Religion
Magic and Religion, published in 1901, is a collection of essays in which Andrew Lang, best known today for his colored fairy books, argues with the leading anthropologists of his time. The opening essay warns against ingenious theories built on thin evidence; the next ones defend Lang's view that some of the oldest religious ideas found among peoples without writing were relatively lofty, against E. B. Tylor's suggestion that they had been borrowed from missionaries. Much of the book is a detailed critique of James Frazer's The Golden Bough, testing its claims about dying gods, sacred kings, the Saturnalia, the Babylonian Sacaea and the origins of Purim. Lang writes as a sharp and witty polemicist who takes evidence seriously. The full text is available to read online in your browser on Vinteuil, and the first essay is free.
Start reading right away, without signing up. The complete text is included in Vinteuil Reading, or yours forever with a one-time purchase.
Frequently asked questions about Magic and Religion
Magic and Religion by Andrew Lang can be read online on Vinteuil, directly in your browser. The first chapter is free for everyone; the complete book is included in Vinteuil Reading ($4.99/month or $39.99/year) or yours forever for $2.99.
Can I read Magic and Religion online?
Yes. Magic and Religion opens right on this page, in a reader designed for long reading: adjustable text size, light, sepia and dark themes, a clickable table of contents and your place saved when you are signed in. No download or app is needed.
Is Magic and Religion free to read on Vinteuil?
The first chapter of Magic and Religion is free, without an account. To read the whole book, either buy its online reading for $2.99 (£2.99 in the UK) and keep it forever, or subscribe to Vinteuil Reading for $4.99/month (£4.99/month in the UK) or $39.99/year, with 1 month free for new subscribers. The subscription opens every book in the library and can be cancelled at any time.
Is Magic and Religion in the public domain?
Yes. Magic and Religion by Andrew Lang is a public-domain work. Vinteuil offers a carefully prepared digital edition made for comfortable reading on screen.
How long does it take to read Magic and Religion?
About 6 h 47 min of reading, at an average reading pace. Your place is saved automatically when you are signed in, so you can read in several sittings and on several devices.
What kind of book is Magic and Religion?
Magic and Religion by Andrew Lang is filed under "Religion & Mythology" in the Vinteuil library.
