Synopses & Reviews
When Margaret Mead first studied the Manus Islanders of New Guinea in 1928, they were living with a Stone Age technology. Economically vulnerable and burdened by a complex moral code, the Manus seemed ill-equipped to handle the massive impact that World War II had on their secluded world. But a unique set of circumstances allowed the Manus to adapt swiftly to the twentieth century, and their experience led Mead to develop a revolutionary theory of cultural transformation, one that favors rapid, over piecemeal, change. As relevanttoday as it was a half-century ago, New Lives for Old is an optimistic examination of one society that chose to change, offering hope and a valuablemodel for today's developing societies.This edition, prepared for the centennial of Mead's birth, features introductions by Stewart Brand and Mead's daughter, Mary Catherine Bateson.
Synopsis
""New Lives For Old: Cultural Transformation Manus, 1928-1953"" by Margaret Mead is a comprehensive exploration of the cultural transformation that occurred in Manus, an island in the Pacific, between 1928 and 1953. Mead, an American cultural anthropologist, spent several years studying the Manus people and their way of life, and this book is a compilation of her research findings.The book delves into the impact of colonialism, Christianity, and modernization on the Manus people's traditional way of life. Mead examines the changes that occurred in their social structure, gender roles, and beliefs about death and the afterlife. She also explores the impact of World War II on the Manus people and their subsequent interactions with the outside world.Through her research, Mead provides a detailed account of the Manus people's cultural transformation, highlighting both the positive and negative consequences of these changes. She also reflects on the broader implications of cultural transformation for societies around the world.Overall, ""New Lives For Old"" is a thought-provoking and insightful work that offers a unique perspective on cultural change and its impact on individuals and communities.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.