Jack Goody Libri

This pioneering book examines different aspects of the inheritance customs in rural Western Europe in the pre-industrial age: for families and whole societies, the roles of lawyers in reducing them to a common system, and the recurring debate on the merits of various inheritance customs in shaping particular kinds of society. At first sight the study of inheritance customs may appear to be a dull affair, concerned with outdated practices of hair-splitting lawyers; certainly, little academic interest has been shown in the subject. Yet inheritance customs are vital means for the reproduction of the social system, by the transmission of property and other rights through the family. Various family structures and social arrangements are linked by different means of inheritance. This book will interest a wide range of historians, students, postgraduates and teachers alike, whether they are concerned with social, economic, demographic or legal history, in the medieval, early modern or modern periods, and whether their interests are directed to England or other countries of Western Europe; it will also be valuable to social anthropologists, sociologists and historians of ideas. A comprehensive glossary of technical terms has been added for the non-specialist

An ambitious general study of the development of marriage, family and conjugal roles in the change from hoe to plough agriculture, relating African society to Asian and European.

A collection of specially commissioned essays dealing with general aspects of kinship, family and marriage from an anthropological point of view, that is, considering the total range of human societies. In his editorial introduction, Jack Goody explains that his aim has been to provide 'essays dealing with general themes rather than ethnographic conundrums or descriptive minutiae' in the hope of achieving 're-consideration of some central problem areas including those examined by an earlier generation of anthropologists and still raised by scholars outside the discipline itself'. Individual essays cover problems such as the nature of kinship and the family; why monogamy?; intermarriage and the creation of castes. The contributors include R. G. Abrahams, J. A. Barnes, Fredrik Barth, Maurice Bloch, Derek Freeman, Jack Goody, Grace Harris, Jean La Fontaine, Edmund Leach, Julian Pitt-Rivers, Raymond T. Smith, Andrew Strathern and S. J. Tambiah.

Positions of authority in any society are limited in number, and therefore rules of selection must operate in their recruitment. There must also be limitations upon the range of authority exercised. These problems are particularly acute in the case of high office, where the questions of recruitment and succession are of central importance. This 1979 volume provides a general and theoretical analysis of succession in different traditional African societies. Jack Goody's introduction spells out the main ways in which systems of succession to office differ, and assesses the problem each system solves and the dilemmas it creates. He also analyses the tensions to which succession gives rise, and relates these to specific methods of transferring office from one generation to the next, The four case studies, all based on extensive fieldwork, consider succession among the Bausto, the Baganda, the Nyamwezi and the Gonja.

Focusing on the pivotal role of writing, this book explores how it has influenced the evolution of various societies throughout history. It delves into the ways written communication has shaped cultural, political, and social structures, highlighting key moments where writing transformed human interaction and knowledge dissemination. Through detailed analysis, the text underscores the profound impact of written language on civilization's progress and identity.

Essays on the complex relationship between oral and literate modes of communication.

The book explores the misconceptions surrounding traditional African social systems, emphasizing how differences in technology between Africa and Europe/Asia have led to misunderstandings. It highlights the unique aspects of African societies and their technological contexts, arguing for a reevaluation of these systems to better appreciate their complexities and contributions.

Exploring the historical significance of personal experiences, this work delves into the intimate aspects of life, revealing how they shape our understanding of society and culture. The author, a subversive thinker, challenges conventional perspectives, encouraging readers to reconsider the importance of everyday moments and relationships in the broader historical context. Through this lens, the book offers a thought-provoking examination of how our most private experiences influence collective narratives.

The book explores the evolution of social anthropology by examining its key figures and their contributions. It highlights how the discipline's concerns intersected with the political and ideological debates of the inter-war period, providing insight into the broader societal impacts on anthropology. Through this lens, it reveals the interplay between academic thought and contemporary issues of the time.

Exploring the interconnected themes of myth, orality, and literacy, the work of Jack Goody delves into the profound impact these elements have on culture and society. As a distinguished anthropologist, Goody examines how oral traditions shape narratives and knowledge transmission, contrasting them with the written word's influence. His insights offer a compelling analysis of the evolution of communication and its implications for understanding human history and cultural identity.