Title
Apologies to Thucydides: Understanding History as Culture and Vice Versa,Used
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Thucydides' classic work on the history of the Peloponnesian War is the root of Western conceptions of historyincluding the idea that Western history is the foundation of everyone else's. Here, Marshall Sahlins takes on Thucydides and the conceptions of history he wrought with a groundbreaking new book that shows what a difference an anthropological concept of culture can make to the writing of history.Sahlins begins by confronting Thucydides' account of the Peloponnesian War with an analogous "Polynesian War," the fight for the domination of the Fiji Islands (184355) between a great sea power (like Athens) and a great land power (like Sparta). Sahlins draws parallels between the conflicts with an eye to their respective systems of power and sovereignty as well as to Thucydides' alternation between individual (Pericles, Themistocles) and collective (the Athenians, the Spartans) actors in the making of history. Characteristic of most histories ever written, this alternation between the agency of "Great Men" and collective entities leads Sahlins to a series of incisive analyses ranging in subject matter from Bobby Thomson's "shot heard round the world" for the 1951 Giants to the historymaking of Napoleon and certain divine kings to the brouhaha over Elin Gonzalez. Finally, again departing from Thucydides, Sahlins considers the relationship between cultural order and historical contingency through the recounting of a certain royal assassination that changed the course of Fijian history, a story of fratricide and war worthy of Shakespeare.In this most convincing presentation yet of his influential theory of culture, Sahlins experiments with techniques for mixing rich narrative with cultural explication in the hope of doing justice at once to the actions of persons and the customs of people. And he demonstrates the necessity of taking culture into account in the creation of historywith apologies to Thucydides, who too often did not.
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- Q: What is the main theme of 'Apologies to Thucydides'? A: The main theme of 'Apologies to Thucydides' is the examination of history through the lens of culture, contrasting Thucydides' account of the Peloponnesian War with anthropological perspectives, particularly through the study of the Polynesian War.
- Q: Who is the author of 'Apologies to Thucydides'? A: 'Apologies to Thucydides' is authored by Marshall Sahlins, a prominent anthropologist known for his influential theories on culture and history.
- Q: What type of binding does this book have? A: 'Apologies to Thucydides' is available in paperback binding, making it a flexible option for readers.
- Q: How many pages are in 'Apologies to Thucydides'? A: 'Apologies to Thucydides' contains 348 pages, providing a comprehensive exploration of its themes.
- Q: When was 'Apologies to Thucydides' published? A: 'Apologies to Thucydides' was published on November 11, 2013.
- Q: What is the item condition of 'Apologies to Thucydides'? A: 'Apologies to Thucydides' is offered in new condition, ensuring that it is in pristine shape for readers.
- Q: Does 'Apologies to Thucydides' include any illustrations or images? A: The product details do not specify the inclusion of illustrations or images in 'Apologies to Thucydides', so it is likely a text-only publication.
- Q: Is there a particular audience for 'Apologies to Thucydides'? A: 'Apologies to Thucydides' is aimed at readers interested in history, anthropology, and cultural studies, as well as those looking to gain a deeper understanding of historical narratives.
- Q: What is the significance of Thucydides in the context of this book? A: Thucydides is significant in this book as his historical account serves as a foundation for Sahlins to challenge and expand upon traditional Western historical narratives through an anthropological lens.
- Q: What topics does Sahlins cover in 'Apologies to Thucydides'? A: Sahlins covers a range of topics including historical agency, the dynamics of power in conflicts, and the interplay between culture and historical events, using various examples from both Western and Polynesian contexts.