Marcel Mauss, successor of Emile Durkheim and one-time teacher of Claude Levi-Strauss, continues to inspire social scientists across various disciplines. Only selected texts of Mauss's work have been translated into English, but of these, some, as for instance his "Essay on the Gift," have proved of key significance for the development of anthropology internationally.

Recently and starting in France, the interest in Mauss's work has increased noticeably as witnessed by several reassessments of its relevance to current social theory. This collection of original essays is the first...

The tradition of intensive fieldwork by a single anthropologist in one area has been challenged by new emphasis on studying historical patterns, wider regions, and global networks. Some anthropologists have started their careers from the new vantage point, amidst a chorus of claims for innovative methodologies. Others have lived through these changes of perspective and are able to reflect on them, while re-evaluating the place of fieldwork within the broader aims of general anthropology. This book explores these transformations of world view and approach as they have been experienced by...

"Each of the essays in this volume deals with various facets of his work, and all of them should be read." - American Anthropologist "This book offers a unique insight into the influence of one of the discipline's most important theorists. James and Allen are thoughtful editors . . . their respect produces the best form of criticism in fourteen essays by British, and other European, anthropologists . . . This is intriguing and stimulating reading . . . Mauss's work receives careful attention in this book which is helpful, incisive, and broadly significant to anthropology." - JRAI Marcel...