What is so holy about cows that poverty-stricken Hindus refuse to eat beef, even when they are on the verge of dying of starvation? Why do Jews despise pig and why do we go to war?
Some cultural practices are simply beyond being quirky to the extent that they seem irrational. 'Cows, Pigs, Wars and Witches' contains entertaining accounts regarding some of the world's most widely-celebrated cultures. It gives a anthropological, scientific, and logical explanation behind how these cultures came to be in such wide and strict practice. These seemingly-superstitious cultures are the products of a long period of lifestyle changes. As a result, at one stage, these cultures were an indispensable part of peoples' lives: almost a means of survival. Even nowadays, these cultures are still preserved, even though life is probably still manageable without adhering to them.
The most fascinating thing is how "cows, pigs, wars and witches" are interrelated in the course of the anthropological development of the human race. The book provides the key to this puzzle in a very entertaining way.
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