A good, pretty detailed overview
4 stelle
Published in the 1880s, this relatively short book describes to the reader several aspects of life found in each stage of savage and then barbarian populations over the course of several centuries / millennia. Several types of marriage found in many parts of the world are detailed, and too the advent of modern marriage (monogamy) once we moved from the upper stages of barbarianism into 'civilization' in Greece and Rome.
Finally, it described the early stages of capitalism, the establishment of private property and it's divisive effect on the haves and have-nots and the creation of the State, and how that replaced the prior so-called gentile constitution.
Despite being written 140+ years ago, perhaps owing to the translation this book is written using very contemporary language and is a pretty easy read, once you learn the definitions of some things such as gentes and phratry and pairing marriage.
…Published in the 1880s, this relatively short book describes to the reader several aspects of life found in each stage of savage and then barbarian populations over the course of several centuries / millennia. Several types of marriage found in many parts of the world are detailed, and too the advent of modern marriage (monogamy) once we moved from the upper stages of barbarianism into 'civilization' in Greece and Rome.
Finally, it described the early stages of capitalism, the establishment of private property and it's divisive effect on the haves and have-nots and the creation of the State, and how that replaced the prior so-called gentile constitution.
Despite being written 140+ years ago, perhaps owing to the translation this book is written using very contemporary language and is a pretty easy read, once you learn the definitions of some things such as gentes and phratry and pairing marriage.
Recommended for history buffs and for those who are interested in how we got to where we are as a society. Freely available in ebook form from the Marxists Internet Archive.