The Gift: The Form and Reason for Exchange in Archaic Societies

Mauss, Marcel; Halls, W. D. (Translated by), and Douglas, Mary (Foreword by)

ISBN 10: 0393306984 / ISBN 13: 9780393306989

Published by W. W. Norton & Company, Inc., New York and London, 1990

About this Item

xviii, 164 pages; 21 cm. Translation of: Essai sur le don. Tight, clean copy. *** "A brilliant example of the comparative method, this classic work presents the first systematic study of the custom of exchanging gifts. It proves that the theory of the gift is the theory of all human society." - Publisher. *** CONTENTS: Foreword by Mary Douglas . Introduction. 1. The Exchange of Gifts and the Obligation to Reciprocate (Polynesia) 2. The Extension of this System: Liberality, Honour, Money 3. Survivals of these Principles in Ancient Systems of Law and Ancient Economies 4. Conclusion: Moral Conclusions. Notes. Size: 8vo.

Seller Inventory # 107325

Bibliographic Details

• Title: The Gift: The Form and Reason for Exchange in Archaic Societies
• Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company, Inc., New York and London
• Publication Date: 1990
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0393306984
• ISBN 13: 9780393306989
• Binding: Paperback
• Condition: Fine
• Seller catalogs:
  • XS::Small

About this title

Synopsis

Since its first publication in English in 1954, The Gift, Marcel Mauss's groundbreaking study of the relation between forms of exchange and social structure, has been acclaimed as a classic among anthropology texts.

A brilliant French sociologist and anthropologist, Marcel Mauss (1872?) used case studies of Melanesia, Polynesia, and northwestern North America to demonstrate that gift exchange is a total system at the center of society.

About the Author

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.