Totem and Taboo – Sigmund Freud

"In the beginning was the Deed."

Freud applies psychoanalysis to anthropology, exploring the origins of religion, morality, and society. He theorizes that the 'Oedipus complex' is universal and that the primal horde of human ancestors killed their dominant father, an act of collective guilt that led to the creation of totems (worship) and taboos (prohibition of incest) to prevent the crime from repeating.

While historically speculative, this book is a fascinating attempt to link the psychology of the individual neurotic to the cultural evolution of humanity. It remains a classic text in the history of ideas, influencing anthropology and literary studies.