Argonauts of the Western Pacific
An Account of Native Enterprise and Adventure in the Archipelagoes of Melanesian New Guinea
Argonauts of the Western Pacific, published in 1922, is Bronislaw Malinowski's account of the Trobriand Islanders of eastern New Guinea, among whom he lived for long stretches during the First World War. Its subject is the Kula, a ceremonial exchange in which armshells and necklaces travel in opposite directions around a ring of islands, carried by canoe expeditions governed by magic, myth, and strict etiquette. Malinowski describes canoe building, launching ceremonies, sailing, spells, and the rules of partnership, and uses the Kula to show that so-called primitive economics is bound up with prestige and social obligation. The introduction sets out the method of participant observation that reshaped anthropology. It is available to read online in your browser on Vinteuil, with the first chapter free.
Start reading right away, without signing up. The complete text is included in Vinteuil Reading, or yours forever with a one-time purchase.
Frequently asked questions about Argonauts of the Western Pacific
Argonauts of the Western Pacific by Bronislaw Malinowski can be read online on Vinteuil, directly in your browser. The first chapter is free for everyone; the complete book is included in Vinteuil Reading ($4.99/month or $39.99/year) or yours forever for $2.99.
Can I read Argonauts of the Western Pacific online?
Yes. Argonauts of the Western Pacific opens right on this page, in a reader designed for long reading: adjustable text size, light, sepia and dark themes, a clickable table of contents and your place saved when you are signed in. No download or app is needed.
Is Argonauts of the Western Pacific free to read on Vinteuil?
The first chapter of Argonauts of the Western Pacific is free, without an account. To read the whole book, either buy its online reading for $2.99 (£2.99 in the UK) and keep it forever, or subscribe to Vinteuil Reading for $4.99/month (£4.99/month in the UK) or $39.99/year, with 1 month free for new subscribers. The subscription opens every book in the library and can be cancelled at any time.
Is Argonauts of the Western Pacific in the public domain?
Yes. Argonauts of the Western Pacific by Bronislaw Malinowski is a public-domain work. Vinteuil offers a carefully prepared digital edition made for comfortable reading on screen.
How long does it take to read Argonauts of the Western Pacific?
About 14 h 26 min of reading, at an average reading pace. Your place is saved automatically when you are signed in, so you can read in several sittings and on several devices.
What kind of book is Argonauts of the Western Pacific?
Argonauts of the Western Pacific by Bronislaw Malinowski is filed under "History" in the Vinteuil library.
