Mauss Marcel. The Gift: Forms and Functions of Exchange in Archaic Societies

Translated by Ian Gunnison. — London: Lowe and Brydone (Printers) Limited, 1966. — 130 p.In this, his most famous work, Marcel Mauss presented to the world a book which revolutionized our understanding of some of the basic structures of society. By identifying the complex web of exchange and obligation involved in the act of giving, Mauss called into question many of our social conventions and economic systems. In a world rife with runaway consumption, The Gift continues to excite and challenge.