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Carolyn Marvin
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Blood Sacrifice and the Nation: Totem Rituals and the American Flag (Cambridge Cultural Social Studies)

by Carolyn Marvin (Author), David W. Ingle (Author)
4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 14 ratings
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The authors argue that American patriotism is a civil religion organized around a sacred flag, whose followers engage in periodic blood sacrifice of their own children to unify the group. Using an anthropological theory, this groundbreaking book presents and explains the ritual sacrifices and regeneration that constitute American nationalism, the factors making particular elections or wars successful or unsuccessful rituals, the role of the mass media in the process, and the sense of malaise that has pervaded American society during the post-World War II period.
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  1. ISBN-10
    0521623456
  2. ISBN-13
    978-0521623452
  3. Publisher
    Cambridge University Press
  4. Publication date
    February 28, 1999
  5. Language
    English
  6. Dimensions
    6 x 1.25 x 9 inches
  7. Print length
    416 pages
  8. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"This is a book for those who are willing to examine some of their most basic assumptions about what it means to be an American. ...well written..." Choice

Book Description

A groundbreaking study of American patriotism and the symbolic power of the national flag.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Cambridge University Press (February 28, 1999)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 416 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0521623456
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0521623452
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.68 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6 x 1.25 x 9 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 14 ratings

About the author

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Carolyn Marvin

Carolyn Marvin

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Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
4.6 out of 5
14 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Initiate
5.0 out of 5 stars This book should be taught in every high school in America.
Reviewed in the United States on August 28, 2020
Verified Purchase
This great work is well written, and uses a wide diversity of sources which really hammers home the author's point. Yes, America has a civil religion, and it is a bloody religion.
2 people found this helpful
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ANDRE
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in the United States on October 14, 2017
Verified Purchase
This book should be required reading starting in the 5th grade.
2 people found this helpful
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JAN EDWARD GARRETT
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in the United States on November 2, 2014
Verified Purchase
It's worth reading slowly, carefully. I am doing that. More later.
2 people found this helpful
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Richard Koenigsberg
5.0 out of 5 stars AN INSTANT CLASSIC
Reviewed in the United States on June 25, 2001
This is a great work of social science, one of the most significant books of our time. Marvin and Ingle state that "The underlying cost of all society is the violent death of some of its members." In contrast to the view that societal violence is something that occasionally "happens" in spite of our best efforts, the authors argue that violence is INHERENT WITHIN THE VERY NATURE AND STRUCTURE OF "SOCIETY."
Many writers speak about the naturally "aggressive" nature of human beings. Marvin and Ingle understand that violence has a deeper source, namely the societal compulsion to SACRIFICE ITS OWN MEMBERS IN THE NAME OF THE SACRED (NATIONAL) IDEAL. It is this SACRIFICAL meaning of violence that human beings refuse to perceive.
The authors state that "OUR DEEPEST SECRET, THE COLLECTIVE GROUP TABOO, IS KNOWLEDGE THAT SOCIETY DEPENDS ON THE DEATH OF SACRIFICIAL VICTIMS AT THE HANDS OF THE GROUP ITSELF."
Our capacity to understand the nature of human society requires perceiving this relationship between sacred groups and collective violence. This book represents a significant step toward revealing and articulating this relationship.
The book is highly recommended for social theorists, anthropologists, historians and political scientists.
27 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

Paul Valentine
5.0 out of 5 stars a great book
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 25, 2013
Verified Purchase
This is a significant study. The book employs the theoretical toolkit of anthropology to understand features of Western nations. Particularlly the authors come to grips with understanding the American army culture, leadership and war.
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