Lévi-Strauss Today: An Introduction to Structural Anthropology

by Robert Deliège, Nora Scott (Translation)

Robert Deliège's book provides a concise overview of the monumental work of one of the greatest and most prolific thinkers of the 20th century. Claude Lévi-Strauss has had a profound and lasting impact on the course of contemporary anthropology. One could further argue that he has spawned a discipline in and of itself, so widespread has the influence of structuralism been, from linguistics to philosophy to psychology. He had a formative influence on such thinkers as Jean-Paul Sartre, Maurice Merleau-Ponty, also Ernest Gellner, Jean Piaget, Paul Ricoeur and Vladimir Propp, to name but a few. Lévi-Strauss' visionary work sparked the debate, criticism and fervour that revived social anthropology at a critical point in the development of the discipline. This reappraisal is essential reading for students and indeed anyone wishing to have a handy introduction to one of the world's great minds.

Genres: Anthropology

192 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 2001

Reviews

[Andrew · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fairly inclusive to serve as an introduction. Includes biography, synopses of major works and reflections on how Levi-Strauss' work has been received at large. At times it drifted too far from introduction to critique... either would have been fine, but choose one. An introductory piece that considers certain theories "psychobabble" just seems irresponsible.

[Martin Roger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good introduction... and critical (unlike many hagiographies)