Margaret Mead

Paul Shankman is Emeritus Professor of Anthropology at the University of Colorado-Boulder. He is the author of The Trashing of Margaret Mead: Anatomy of an Anthropological Controversy (Wisconsin, 2009).

“While Shankman’s biography makes use of the [numerous previously published biographies of Margaret Mead], it nevertheless stands out among the better ones, not only for its well-informed and balanced view of Mead, but also for its concision.” • Times Literary Supplement“Margaret Mead’s work and anthropology’s methods of participant observation techniques and a holistic approach are now more important than ever in addressing major world challenges. Shankman’s book provides insight and inspiration regarding Mead, and to anthropology generally. It is elegantly written, concise, learned, and fair. It provides an excellent means of understanding anthropology’s achievements and potential.” • The Journal of Pacific History“There are many books about Margaret Mead but this one will make an excellent text for teaching undergraduate students aspects of twentieth-century anthropology, as well as being of interest to students of American popular culture of that era.” • Pacific Affairs

• AcknowledgementsIntroductionChapter 1. BeginningsChapter 2. First Fieldwork in SamoaChapter 3. Writing Coming of Age in SamoaChapter 4. Manus and the OmahaChapter 5. Arapesh, Mundugumor, and TchambuliChapter 6. Culture and Personality, and BaliChapter 7. The War Years and National Character StudiesChapter 8. The Post-War Years and Revisiting ManusChapter 9. Mead as a Public FigureChapter 10. Women's Issues and the Redbook ColumnsChapter 11. The Mead-Freeman ControversyChapter 12. LegaciesReferencesIndex