Our early ancestors lived in small groups and worked actively to preserve social equality. As they created larger societies; however; inequality rose; and by 2500 bce truly egalitarian societies were on the wane. In The Creation of Inequality; Kent Flannery and Joyce Marcus demonstrate that this development was not simply the result of population increase; food surplus; or the accumulation of valuables. Instead; inequality resulted from conscious manipulation of the unique social logic that lies at the core of every human group. A few societies allowed talented and ambitious individuals to rise in prestige while still preventing them from becoming a hereditary elite. But many others made high rank hereditary; by manipulating debts; genealogies; and sacred lore. At certain moments in history; intense competition among leaders of high rank gave rise to despotic kingdoms and empires in the Near East; Egypt; Africa; Mexico; Peru; and the Pacific. Drawing on their vast knowledge of both living and prehistoric social groups; Flannery and Marcus describe the changes in logic that create larger and more hierarchical societies; and they argue persuasively that many kinds of inequality can be overcome by reversing these changes; rather than by violence.
#225568 in Books 1999-03-15 1999-02-05Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 8.00 x 6.75 x .75l; .94 #File Name: 0674160568272 pages
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7 of 7 people found the following review helpful. The Confederate War is a scholarly series of lectures on the rise and fall of the South in the Civil War by Dr. Gary GallagherBy C. M MillsDr. Gary Gallagher is one of the best modern historians of the Civil War. In "The Confederate War" published in 1985 (they were based on his lectures at the University of Texas at Austin Littlefield Lectures) the good professor discusses three major themes in looking at Confederate defeat:a. POPULAR WILL: In this section we learn that the southerners will to win the war was important in keeping the Confederate nation alive for longer than expected. Gallagher quotes extensively from southern letters to show how their will in being true to the cause burnt brightly until ultimate defeat at Appamattox in 1865. Thousands of southerners developed allegiance to a cause that transcended loyalty and local interests (referring to white southerners). The Southern dream was to establish a slave holding society. The vast majority of the southern civilian and military population believed Nsa that RE Lee and the Army of Northern Virginia would lead them to ultimate victory despite horrendous military defeats and the destruction of the southern economy and military defeats.b.NATIONALISM: Gallagher asserts that; contrary to popular modern historical opinon; thousands of Confederate soliders and civilians believed strongly in the CONFEDERATE NATION AND CENTRAL GOVERNMENT. Patriotism rather than localism was the prime factor is developing a sense of nationhood among the southern people.c. MILITARY STRATEGY: Gallagher contends that the south was defeated by the overwhelming numbers and military genius of great northern generals (primarily Grant and Sherman). Western victories for Confederate troops were few and far between. Only RE Lee and the Army of Northern Virginia kept the southern cause alive through battelfield victories. The author does not believe a strictly DEFENSIVE STRATEGY or GUERILLA WARFARE would have proven successful against the North.d. DEFEAT: Gallagher devotes a few pages to the rise of the Lost Cause mentality in the South following the war. Gary Gallagher is a brilliant historian and this book; though controversial; is well argued and should be read by anyone interested in the Civil War.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Essential to understand the ConfederacyBy IpyIf you want to understand the Confederacy and what the people of the South were fighting for; you have to read this book. It will challenge you and if you buy into the common myths of the war it may infuriate you. Understand; this is not an apologia for the Confederacy; there is no lost cause or neo-confederate shrilling here. Rather; it is an honest attempt to understand the motives and experiences of the Confederate people. A classic. I recommend buying both this and the later work by Gallagher "the Union War." Together; they recover what soldiers and citizens of both North and South really thought about the war they were fighting.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Three StarsBy Johnny TimmsIt was ok!
