| The Gift: The Form and Reason for Exchange in Archaic Societies Contributor(s): Mauss, Marcel (Author), Halls, W. D. (Translator) |
|
 |
ISBN: 039332043X ISBN-13: 9780393320435 Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company OUR PRICE: $14.36 Product Type: Paperback - Other Formats Published: August 2000 Annotation: The Gift is Marcel Mauss's groundbreaking study of the relation between forms of exchange and social structure. A brilliant French sociologist and anthropologist, Mauss (1872-1950) used case studies of Melanesia, Polynesia, and northwestern North America to demonstrate that gift exchange is a total system at the center of society. |
| Additional Information |
| BISAC Categories: - Social Science | Anthropology - Cultural & Social - Social Science | Customs & Traditions |
| Dewey: 394 |
| Physical Information: 0.49" H x 5.46" W x 8.34" (0.39 lbs) 184 pages |
| Descriptions, Reviews, Etc. |
| Publisher Description: A brilliant example of the comparative method, The Gift presents the first systematic study of the custom--widespread in primitive societies from ancient Rome to present-day Melanesia--of exchanging gifts. The gift is a perfect example of what Mauss calls a total social phenomenon, since it involves legal, economic, moral, religious, aesthetic, and other dimensions. He sees the gift exchange as related to individuals and groups as much as to the objects themselves, and his analysis calls into question the social conventions and economic systems that had been taken for granted for so many years. In a modern translation, introduced by distinguished anthropologist Mary Douglas, The Gift is essential reading for students of social anthropology and sociology. |
Contributor Bio(s): Halls, W. D.: - W. D. Halls was an author, educationist, and historian. He translated works by French authors, notably Marcel Mauss and Émile Durkheim, well into his retirement years.Mauss, Marcel: - Marcel Mauss was a French sociologist and anthropologist. His work profoundly influenced the field of anthropology with respect to topics such as magic, sacrifice, and gift exchange in primitive cultures. |