Marcel Mauss

Discover the profound impact of Marcel Mauss (1872-1950) in the first comprehensive intellectual biography titled Marcel Mauss, authored by Marcel Fournier and published by Princeton University Press in 2015. Spanning 448 pages, this engaging work delves into the life and contributions of Mauss, the father of modern ethnology and a pivotal figure in the French school of sociology. His influential ideas have shaped the social sciences, notably impacting the works of renowned scholars like Claude Levi-Strauss. Fournier meticulously explores Mauss's intellectual legacy, including his seminal 1925 essay, The Gift, which examines the concepts of reciprocity and gift exchange. This biography is essential for anyone interested in understanding the foundations of modern social thought and the enduring relevance of Mauss's insights.