TRISTES TROPIQUES: THE MODERN LIBRARY EDITION by Levi-Strauss, Claude (Translated by John Weightman and Doreen Weightman) - 1997

New York City, NY: Modern Library, 1997. First Edition. First Printing.. Hardcover. Fine/Fine Dust Jacket.. New York City, NY: Modern Library, 1997. Hardcover. Fine/Fine. First Edition/First Printing. 517 pages. New Edition of the author's masterpiece. One of the greatest books of the 20th century. The first appearance of the title in the Modern Library Edition. Precedes and should not be confused with all other subsequent editions, of which there are innumerable. Published in a small and limited first print run as a hardcover original only. The First Edition Thus is now scarce. Re-presents Claude Levi-Strauss' "Tristes Tropiques" in its definitive English translation. Dismayed by the first translation, "A World On The Wane", which he immediately disowned (he is fluent in English), Claude Levi-Strauss actively participated in the restorative work, from scratch, by John and Doreen Weightman. One of the first things the translators did was to restore the original French title, and readers everywhere, not just in English, now routinely refer to the French title. Unsurpassable on so many levels at the same time: As a ground-breaking study of the societies of a number of Amazonian peoples; as a cornerstone of structural anthropology; as an exploration by the author of his own intellectual roots; as a memoir of his being a Jewish-French exile from Nazi-occupied Europe; as a world-renowned academic who taught at New York's New School for Social Research and was France's Cultural Attache to the United States. Last but not least, Levi-Strauss comes to grips with his reputation as the most original French thinker of the 20th century, with his "place" in modern thought, that is to say, his decisive role in the demolition of his original calling, philosophy, given a personal reckoning. "One of the great books of our century. It is rigorous, subtle, and bold in thought. It is beautifully written. And, like all great books, it bears an absolutely personal stamp; it speaks with a human voice" (Susan Sontag). An absolute "must-have" title for Claude Levi-Strauss collectors. <b><i> This title is a great book. This is one of few copies of the First "Modern Library" Edition Thus/First Printing still available online and is in especially fine condition: Clean, crisp, and bright, a beauty. It comes with a copy of Nobel Laureate Octavio Paz's "Claude Levi-Strauss: An Introduction", which remains the best introduction to the author and his masterpiece. Please note: Copies available online have serious flaws, are subsequent printings, or are remainder-marked. This is surely an accessible and lovely alternaitve. A rare set thus. </b></i> Lavishly illustrated with archival photographic plates and drawings. One of the greatest thinkers of the 20th century. A fine copy. (SEE ALSO OTHER CLAUDE LEVI-STRAUSS TITLES IN OUR CATALOG). ISBN 0679602461.