Cows, Pigs, Wars and Witches
The Riddles of Culture
by Marvin Harris
Recommended by Derek Sivers and Mark Manson
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Should I read this?
Recommended by 3 sources and appears in Most Recommended Books, History, and Social Sciences.
This book challenges those who argue that we can change the world by changing the way people think. The author shows that no matter how bizarre a people's behavior may seem, it always stems from concrete social and economic conditions. It is by isolating and identifying these conditions that we will be able to understand and cope with some of our o...
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Why recommended
Recommended by 3 sources and appears in Most Recommended Books, History, and Social Sciences.
Recommended by notable people
People and public figures who have recommended this book.
Recommendation Signals
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Mark Manson
“Mindblowing anthropology. Great argument that the reasons that religions worship cows or hate pigs, that tribes wage wars, or Europe's 200 years of witch hunts, are all very practical economic reasons usually unknown to the participants or washed out of history. But they're revealed here in zoomedout hindsight. My notes here can't describe it. You have to read the whole book. Riveting.”
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Not sure if this is the right fit?
Consider Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell. Recommended by 31 sources.
“Outliers reads like a series of captivating magazine profiles, each unpacking a hidden factor behind extraordinary success. Gladwell’s storytelling makes complex social science accessible, but the book relies on memorable anecdotes rather than offering systematic analysis. The book explores the idea that individual brilliance rarely stands alone; success often hinges on birth dates, cultural legacies, and the 10,000-hour rule. While the narratives are strong, the book overgeneralizes from handpicked examples, leaving skeptical readers questioning the conclusions. It’s most useful as a conversation starter about luck and timing—annoying if you want a rigorous academic treatise or a how-to guide for your own life.”
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Each recommendation is collected from a public source — interviews, articles, or curated lists — and linked to its original URL. Books with many verifiable recommendations from respected people rank higher.
Cows, Pigs, Wars and Witches
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