Affluence without abundance : the disappearing world of the Bushmen

**WASHINGTON POST'S 50 NOTABLE WORKS OF NONFICTION IN 2017****AN NPR BEST BOOK OF 2017****A vibrant portrait of the “original affluent society”--the Bushmen of southern Africa--by the anthropologist who has spent much of the last twenty-five years documenting their encounter with modernity.** If the success of a civilization is measured by its endurance over time, then the Bushmen of the Kalahari are by far the most successful in human history. A hunting and gathering people who made a good living by working only as much as needed to exist in harmony with their hostile desert environment, the Bushmen have lived in southern Africa since the evolution of our species nearly two hundred thousand years ago. In __Affluence Without Abundance__, anthropologist James Suzman vividly brings to life a proud and private people, introducing unforgettable members of their tribe, and telling the story of the collision between the modern global economy and the oldest hunting and gathering society on earth. In rendering an intimate picture of a people coping with radical change, it asks profound questions about how we now think about matters such as work, wealth, equality, contentment, and even time. Not since Elizabeth Marshall Thomas’s __The Harmless People__ in 1959 has anyone provided a more intimate or insightful account of the Bushmen or of what we might learn about ourselves from our shared history as hunter-gatherers. A Vibrant Portrait Of The Original Affluent Society--the Bushmen Of Southern Africa--by The Anthropologist Who Has Spent Much Of The Last Twenty-five Years Documenting Their Encounter With Modernity. If The Success Of A Civilization Is Measured By Its Endurance Over Time, Then The Bushmen Of The Kalahari Are By Far The Most Successful In Human History. A Hunting And Gathering People Who Made A Good Living By Working Only As Much As Needed To Exist In Harmony With Their Hostile Desert Environment, The Bushmen Have Lived In Southern Africa Since The Evolution Of Our Species Nearly Two Hundred Thousand Years Ago. In Affluence Without Abundance, Anthropologist James Suzman Vividly Brings To Life A Proud And Private People, Introducing Unforgettable Members Of Their Tribe, And Telling The Story Of The Collision Between The Modern Global Economy And The Oldest Hunting And Gathering Society On Earth. In Rendering An Intimate Picture Of A People Coping With Radical Change, It Asks Profound Questions About How We Now Think About Matters Such As Work, Wealth, Equality, Contentment, And Even Time. Not Since Elizabeth Marshall Thomas's The Harmless People In 1959 Has Anyone Provided A More Intimate Or Insightful Account Of The Bushmen Or Of What We Might Learn About Ourselves From Our Shared History As Hunter-gatherers.--jacket Flap. Part One: Old Times -- The Rewards Of Hard Work -- The Mother Hill -- A Beachside Brawl -- The Settlers -- Living In The Moment -- Tsumkwe Road -- Part Two: The Provident Environment -- The Hollow Tree -- Strong Food -- An Elephant Hunt -- Pinnacle Point -- A Gift From God -- Hunting And Empathy -- Insulting The Meat -- Part Three: New Times -- When Lions Become Dangerous -- Fear And Farming -- Cattle Country -- Crazy Gods -- The Promised Land. James Suzman. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. A vibrant portrait of the original affluent society - the Bushmen of southern Africa - by the anthropologist who has spent the better part of the last twenty-five years documenting their encounter with modernity. If the success of a civilization is measured by its endurance over time, then the Bushmen of the Kalahari are by far the most successful in human history. A hunting and gathering people who made a good living by working only as much as needed to exist in harmony with their hostile desert environment, the Bushmen have lived in southern Africa since the evolution of our species nearly two hundred thousand years ago. In Affluence Without Abundance , anthropologist James Suzman asks whether understanding how hunter-gatherers like the Bushmen found contentment by having few needs easily met might help us address some of the environmental and economic challenges we face today. Vividly bringing to life a proud and private people, introducing unforgettable members of their tribe, Affluence Without Abundance tells the story of the collision between the modern global economy and the oldest hunting and gathering society on earth. In rendering an intimate picture of a people coping with radical change, it asks profound questions about how we now think about matters such as work, wealth, equality, contentment, and even time. Not since Elizabeth Marshall Thomas's The Harmless People in 1959 has anyone provided a more intimate or insightful account of the Bushmen or of what we might learn about ourselves from our shared history as hunter-gatherers. WASHINGTON POST'S 50 NOTABLE WORKS OF NONFICTION IN 2017 AN NPR BEST BOOK OF 2017 A vibrant portrait of the “original affluent society”--the Bushmen of southern Africa--by the anthropologist who has spent much of the last twenty-five years documenting their encounter with modernity. If the success of a civilization is measured by its endurance over time, then the Bushmen of the Kalahari are by far the most successful in human history. A hunting and gathering people who made a good living by working only as much as needed to exist in harmony with their hostile desert environment, the Bushmen have lived in southern Africa since the evolution of our species nearly two hundred thousand years ago. In Affluence Without Abundance , anthropologist James Suzman vividly brings to life a proud and private people, introducing unforgettable members of their tribe, and telling the story of the collision between the modern global economy and the oldest hunting and gathering society on earth. In rendering an intimate picture of a people coping with radical change, it asks profound questions about how we now think about matters such as work, wealth, equality, contentment, and even time. Not since Elizabeth Marshall Thomas’s The Harmless People in 1959 has anyone provided a more intimate or insightful account of the Bushmen or of what we might learn about ourselves from our shared history as hunter-gatherers.