Re: The Golden Bough by Frazer - a question

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In article <TVALKONE.95Jan10223752@klaava.Helsinki.FI>,
tvalkone@klaava.Helsinki.FI (Tero M Valkonen) wrote:

> I recently bought James Frazer's The Golden Bough, because I'd
> known it had influenced some quite important writers (Eliot,
> Pound), and because it cost almost nothing. Now, I'm interested
> to know how this book is regarded today. Is it completely
> invalid, scientifically, is it still appreciated, or what?

My impression is that Frazer's theories are regarded as worthless, but the
data he assembles is fascinating. I don't think you can find anything
comparable elsewhere in an easily accessible form. If anyone knows of a
better and more recent collection of folk beliefs, I'd like to know about
it.

Martin.

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