Argonauts of the Western Pacific

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Pioneering work - Rated
Malinowski’s study of the Trobriand Islanders was a pioneering work as it established social anthropology as a legitimate discipline. After spending two years among the inhabitants of the islands in Papua New Guinea, Malinowski produced probably the most comprehensive and detailed ethnography in the world which is, maybe even to this day, unmatched for sheer content.

This book focuses on issues of exchange as a primitive form of economics, known as ‘Kula’. One will learn everything about the Kula exchange as both a social and mythical entity, including the significance of canoes and overseas expeditions in the Kula exchange.

This book is not the most accessible and is really only suitable for the social scientist rather than the casual and/or curious reader. Even for students of the discipline, it is possible to skip over some parts of the book (namely the somewhat tedious word-for-word recitals of Trobriand songs and prayers) and still gain a thorough knowledge of the Kula.

Overall, this is probably the most detailed ethnography one will read and is definitely a must for anthropology students.