Medicine, Magic and Religion

One of the most fascinating men of his generation, W.H.R. Rivers was a British doctor and psychiatrist as well as a leading ethnologist. Immortalized as the hero of Pat Barker's award-winning Regeneration trilogy, Rivers was the clinician who, in the First World War, cared for the poet Siegfried Sassoon and other infantry officers injured on the western front. His researches into the borders of psychiatry, medicine and religion made him a prominent member of the British intelligentsia of the time, a friend of H.G. Wells, George Bernard Shaw and Bertrand Russell. Part of his appeal lay in an extraordinary intellect, mixed with a very real interest in his fellow man. Medicine, Magic and Religion is a prime example of this. A social institution, it is one of Rivers' finest works. In it, Rivers introduced the then revolutionary idea that indigenous practices are indeed rational, when viewed in terms of religious beliefs.

'Despite the distinction and variety of his scientific achievements, only those personally acquainted with him can fully appreciate the causes of that profound respect with which he was regarded. Medicine, Magic and Religion is a document of first-rate importance ... and it will thus remain as a worthy monument to its distinguished author.' - Times Literary Supplement'I should like to meet Rivers in "the next world". It is difficult to believe that such a man as he could be extinguished. - Siegfried Sassoon, 'I should like to meet Rivers in "the next world". It is difficult to believe that such a man as he could be extinguished. - Siegfried Sassoon'The restraint, power and fineness of Rivers' mind make it impossible to be patient with critics who feel uncomfortable in the presence of his greatness.' - Robert Graves'Despite the distinction and variety of his scientific achievements, only those personally acquainted with him can fully appreciate the causes of that profound respect with which he was regarded. Medicine, Magic and Religion is a document of first-rate importance ... and it will thus remain as a worthy monument to its distinguished author.' - Times Literary Supplement

W.H.R. Rivers (1864-1922) was a pioneer in the fields of neurology, psychology and anthropology. During the First World War he worked as a psychiatrist at Maghull and Craiglockhart military hospitals.