Secondhand Anthropology & Sociology Bargain Book Box DSH1058

Secondhand Anthropology & Sociology Bargain Book Box

This profound collection of twenty-one volumes delves deep into the structures of human society, culture, and thought. Featuring a definitive set of works by Claude Lévi-Strauss alongside classic ethnographies and critical studies of Margaret Mead and Émile Durkheim, this box offers a comprehensive library for the student of social sciences. From the rainforests of the Amazon to the working-class homes of Britain, these texts explore the rituals, myths, and social organizations that define the human experience across the globe. Each book is secondhand and may show signs of wear.

1. Margaret Mead and Samoa by Derek Freeman This controversial work challenges the findings of Margaret Mead’s famous ethnography, igniting one of the biggest debates in the history of anthropology. Freeman argues that Mead’s depiction of Samoan adolescence was fundamentally flawed, based on misleading evidence and romanticized ideals. The book serves as a critical case study on the nature of fieldwork and the influence of cultural determinism.

2. Initiation by J.S. La Fontaine La Fontaine provides a comparative study of initiation rituals across various cultures, examining how societies mark the transition from childhood to adulthood. The book analyzes the secret knowledge, trials, and symbolic deaths often involved in these rites of passage. It offers insights into how communities maintain social order and transmit values through dramatic ceremonial events.

3. Women and Work by Ross Davies This sociological study traces the history of women in the workforce, examining the changing roles and economic contributions of women from the industrial revolution onwards. Davies analyzes the impact of war, legislation, and shifting social attitudes on female employment. It is a detailed account of the struggle for equality and the double burden often placed on working women.

4. Durkheim and the Study of Suicide by Steve Taylor Steve Taylor revisits Émile Durkheim’s classic sociological study, offering a modern critique and re-evaluation of its methodology and conclusions. The book explores the complex relationship between individual psychology and social integration in the act of suicide. It serves as both an introduction to Durkheim's theories and a critical engagement with the statistical analysis of social behavior.

5. Male and Female by Margaret Mead Drawing on her extensive fieldwork in seven Pacific cultures, Mead examines the roles of men and women and how they are shaped by society rather than biology. She compares these traditional structures with contemporary American society, questioning Western assumptions about gender. It is a pioneering work that seeks to understand the flexibility of human nature and sexual character.

6. Working-Class Wives by Margery Spring Rice Based on a survey conducted in the 1930s, this book provides a stark and moving documentary of the daily lives of working-class women in Britain. It details their struggles with poverty, poor health, and the relentless drudgery of domestic labor before the welfare state. The text stands as a vital piece of social history, giving a voice to a demographic often ignored by historians.

7. Durkheim by Anthony Giddens In this concise yet comprehensive guide, renowned sociologist Anthony Giddens unpacks the key ideas and legacy of Émile Durkheim. He explores Durkheim's theories on social solidarity, the division of labor, and the role of religion in society. This volume from the Modern Masters series is an essential introduction to one of the founding fathers of sociology.

8. Dream and Culture by Susan Parman Susan Parman conducts an anthropological study of how dreams have been interpreted and valued throughout Western intellectual history. She traces the shifting cultural meanings of dreaming, from divine messages in antiquity to the psychoanalytic focus of the modern era. The book argues that theories of dreaming act as a mirror for a culture's broader understanding of the self and reality.

9. Culture and Communication by Edmund Leach Leach offers a structuralist introduction to social anthropology, focusing on how cultural symbols and rituals function as a form of communication. He explains how complex social meanings are encoded in everyday actions, myths, and kinship systems. The book simplifies the dense theories of Lévi-Strauss, making the logic of structuralism accessible to students and general readers.

10. Adaptation and Symbolism edited by Karen Ann Watson-Gegeo and S. Lee Seaton This collection of essays explores the intersection of cultural adaptation and symbolic systems within various social organizations. The contributors examine how societies use rituals and symbols to navigate environmental changes and internal conflicts. It is a scholarly volume that bridges the gap between ecological anthropology and symbolic analysis.

11. Structural Anthropology by Claude Lévi-Strauss This landmark volume collects Lévi-Strauss’s most influential essays, laying the groundwork for the structuralist movement in anthropology. He applies linguistic theory to the study of culture, analyzing kinship, art, and myth to reveal the underlying universal structures of the human mind. It is a dense, transformative work that redefined how we understand social relationships.

12. Structural Anthropology 2 by Claude Lévi-Strauss Continuing his exploration of structuralism, this second volume broadens the scope to include mythology, ritual, and the history of the discipline. Lévi-Strauss responds to critics and refines his methods, offering deeper insights into the logic of "primitive" thought. The essays demonstrate his unparalleled ability to find order and pattern in the vast diversity of human culture.

13. Totemism by Claude Lévi-Strauss Lévi-Strauss deconstructs the anthropological concept of totemism, arguing that it is not a primitive religion but a sophisticated system of classification. He shows how so-called "savage" societies use natural species to think through social relationships and differences. This brief but powerful book revolutionized the understanding of how humans categorize the world around them.

14. The Savage Mind by Claude Lévi-Strauss In this philosophical masterpiece, Lévi-Strauss challenges the distinction between "primitive" and "civilized" thought, arguing that both are equally complex and logical. He introduces the concept of bricolage to describe how traditional societies construct meaning from available materials. It is a profound meditation on the nature of human knowledge and the universality of the intellect.

15. The Swazi: A South African Kingdom by Hilda Kuper Hilda Kuper provides a detailed ethnography of the Swazi people, documenting their intricate political hierarchy, kinship systems, and royal rituals. The book offers an insider’s perspective on a complex African kingdom facing the pressures of colonialism and modernity. It is a classic case study in social anthropology, celebrated for its depth and empathy.

16. Knowing the Gururumba by Philip L. Newman This ethnographic study focuses on the Gururumba people of the New Guinea Highlands, exploring their social structure and belief systems. Newman analyzes how they conceptualize the world, manage conflict, and perform rituals to ensure the fertility of the land and people. It provides a vivid portrait of daily life and the psychological landscape of a Melanesian society.

17. Yanomamö: The Fierce People by Napoleon A. Chagnon One of the most famous and debated ethnographies ever written, this book describes the Yanomamö of the Amazon rainforest and their culture of warfare. Chagnon details their complex kinship alliances, drug use, and the central role of aggression in their social organization. It is a gripping, often shocking account that has shaped discussions on human violence and tribal society.

18. The Hunters by Elman R. Service Service offers a comparative study of hunter-gatherer societies, examining the social organization of bands like the Inuit and the Australian Aborigines. He argues that these groups share fundamental characteristics in their economy and kinship due to their mode of subsistence. The book provides a foundational overview of the band level of social evolution.

19. Tribesmen by Marshall D. Sahlins In this companion volume to The Hunters, Sahlins analyzes the social structure and economics of tribal societies, specifically those practicing agriculture or herding. He explores the "Segmentary Lineage System" and the role of warfare and gift exchange in maintaining social cohesion without a state. It is a key text for understanding the evolution of political complexity.

20. Oedipus and Job in West African Religion by Meyer Fortes Fortes compares the religious concepts of the Tallensi people of Ghana with the biblical and Greek figures of Job and Oedipus. He examines how notions of destiny, ancestors, and justice shape the moral universe of West African society. This comparative study highlights the universal themes of fate and responsibility found in diverse religious traditions.

21. The Structural Study of Myth and Totemism edited by Edmund Leach This volume presents a critical engagement with the work of Claude Lévi-Strauss by leading British anthropologists. It includes essays that test structuralist methods against specific ethnographic data, debating the validity of Lévi-Strauss’s universal claims. The book captures a pivotal moment in the history of anthropology as the discipline wrestled with a new theoretical paradigm.