Cows, Pigs, Wars, and Witches: The Riddles of Culture by Marvin Harris

When I first read this book in university, Cows, Pigs, Wars, and Witches: The Riddles of Culture by Marvin Harris I became very intrigued. The book describes the answers to some of the worlds culturally most intriguing and perplexing questions. Most of which are taboos, including why Hindus worship cows, and why "witches" flew to sabbats on broomsticks.

I believe that Harris' intention in writing this book was to not just give his opinion on these strange taboos were established, but to make the statement that the most extreme taboos do have a logical background. I also believe Harris tried to establish that one taboo may lead to another. For instance, he believes that in order to explain one taboo, he may have to explain two or three others, in order to prove the logic behind the one. Cows, Pigs, Wars, and Witches: The Riddles of Culture is one of the only books that try to explain why men behave the way they do. Harris covers multiple taboos including the belief of why some cultures refuse to eat pork and even stretch the limits by concluding why people believe in the religions they do. All of these cultural taboos and more are introduced and thoroughly explained in this great book.

Basically the whole idea of this book describes cultural taboos. For instance, every culture, whether it is in India or Africa or anywhere in the world, they all experience strange ideas or the unthinkable occurs (taboo). No culture would be considered normal if these did not occur. Harris starts by explaining what the taboo is and where it is from. Then he explains why certain people believe in these, and then clarifies the logic behind it. The great thing about this novel is that each of the taboos Harris mentions are from different areas and is more like a book you would read in world history. In this novel, Harris covers over ten different taboos, all of which are very interesting. To write a book with so much information, one must spend months, maybe even years becoming familiar with the cultures that are described in such a book. One man cannot study or even write about every culture in the world, so Harris used many other references. The majority of these references used were from other sociologists and anthropologists' studies, and books produced by them. Also, Harris used much of his own work from previous expeditions and journals he had written several years ago.

 He is an incredibly reputable writer, but the information is just too tough to handle alone. This book is like no other book I have ever had the privilege to read. The vivid descriptions and amazing studies of these cultures enlighten the open-minded reader that men really do think alike, no matter where you are from.

Essentially man is motivated by money.

Tomorrow I will relate to the CPAO and analyze the reasons professionals commit fraud, cover-up fraud, lie in court, and generally act like scoundrels.