Devil and Commodity Fetishism in South America
Author: Michael T. Taussig
List Price: $16.95
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ISBN: 0807841064
Publisher: Univ of North Carolina Pr (December, 1983)
Sales Rank: 165,721
Average Customer Rating: 3.5 out of 5
Customer Reviews
Rating: 5 out of 5
An excellent and creative application of theory
This is doubtless Taussig's clearest and most straightforward book -- if you think the text here is convoluted, try "The Nervous System" or "The Magic of the State" on for size. Both of these works, as with all of Taussig, are outstanding in their own way, but for the beginning reader in anthropology, this is certainly where to start if you want to explore that realm of anthropological wisdom known as the World of Uncle Mike.The issue is very simple. Capitalism is deconstructed as a form of Western European "local knowledge" by throwing it into relief with indigenous notions regarding the flows of wealth, labor, and ultimately power. Within the local meaning system, the metaphysical capitalist ideal of accumulation is likened to a demonic force; correspondingly, the wealthy persons in the colony (from whom the poor farmer must borrow money or otherwise "strike a deal" in order to survive) are likened to the Devil. The whole thing really makes a heck of a lot of sense, whatever your precise stance on Marxism.
Another interesting aspect of the book is the way in which Taussig explains what, to the modern individual, is the ludicrous social solidarity found among miners (and by extension, other groups who engage in extremely dangerous occupations). While we modern readers wonder why miners and others love their jobs and co-workers so much, Uncle Mike explains that solidarity is the only strategy of overcoming the darkness and peril of such types of work. Communitas among the workers becomes a moral issue -- this idea resonates throughout the book.
All in all, an intelligent person looking for a clear and insightful read in economics and ethnology will find themselves grinning from ear to ear when they read this book. Unlike Taussig's later works, you don't have to have read everything from von Humboldt to Benjamin to Timerman to appreciate the thesis, argument, and flashes of brilliance sprinkled throughout.
Rating: 4 out of 5
A misunderstood book
First, let me state that I totally disagree with the previous bad review of this book. The book is not hard to read by any means, but to fully understand and comprehend this book you need a solid background in Marxist theory. I found the book to be very enjoyable and enlightening. The first half the the book, based on Taussig's on research on devil pacts and baptised banknotes in Columbia's Cauca Valley, is very good. The second half of the book, based mainly on the research of June Nash on the "devil-worship" of Bolivian miners, does not flow as well. It seems to be a bit jumbled, but nonetheless has some interesting ideas and is worth reading. I recommend this book to anyone interested in Marxism and religion or the anthropology of religion.
Rating: 1 out of 5
This book is awful!
Leaving aside the validity of Marxism, which Taussig takes for granted, this book is one of the worst I've read. Taussig's work is so convoluted and difficult that almost everything has to be read multiple times. The really disappointing thing is that after reading the book carefully from cover to cover, the only conclusion I was able to draw was that Taussig writes in such an impenetrable fashion as a way to cover for the fact that he has very little to say. Don't waste your time or money on this book.
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