Argonauts of the Western Pacific
An Account of Native Enterprise and Adventure in the Archipelagoes of Melanesian New Guinea
📘 About This Book
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1902 Excerpt: ...earth. r' = radius of moon, or other body. P = moon's horizontal parallax = earth's angular semidiameter as seen from the moon. f = moon's angular semidiameter. Now = P (in circular measure), r'-r = r (in circular measure);.'. r: r':: P: P', or (radius of earth): (radios of moon):: (moon's parallax): (moon's semidiameter). Examples. 1. Taking the moon's horizontal parallax as 57', and its angular diameter as 32', find its radius in miles, assuming the earth's radius to be 4000 miles. Here moon's semidiameter = 16';.-. 4000::: 57': 16';.-. r = 400 16 = 1123 miles. 2. The sun's horizontal parallax being 8"8, and his angular diameter 32V find his diameter in miles. ' Am. 872,727 miles. 3. The synodic period of Venus being 584 days, find the angle gained in each minute of time on the earth round the sun as centre. Am. l"-54 per minute. 4. Find the angular velocity with which Venus crosses the sun's disc, assuming the distances of Venus and the earth from the sun are as 7 to 10, as given by Bode's Law. Since (fig. 50) S V: VA:: 7: 3. But Srhas a relative angular velocity round the sun of l"-54 per minute (see Example 3); therefore, the relative angular velocity of A V round A is greater than this in the ratio of 7: 3, which gives an approximate result of 3"-6 per minute, the true rate being about 4" per minute. Annual ParaUax. 95. We have already seen that no displacement of the observer due to a change of position on the earth's surface could apparently affect the direction of a fixed star. However, as the earth in its annual motion describes an orbit of about 92 million miles radius round the sun, the different positions in space from which an observer views the fixed stars from time to time throughout the year must be separated ...
📖 Summary
Argonauts of the Western Pacific by Bronislaw Malinowski is a foundational historic work in the field of anthropology, published originally in the early twentieth century and continuing to be studied in modern times. This extensive volume spans over five hundred pages and documents the intricate societal structures, daily life, and ceremonial traditions of indigenous populations residing in the islands of the Western Pacific. Malinowski approaches his subject matter through a lens of profound observation, detailing complex systems of exchange and cultural practices that bind these island communities together. While the core of the text focuses on the social anthropology of the region, readers exploring historic editions should note that certain printings may contain scanned anomalies, text variations, or unrelated geometric and astronomical excerpts embedded in the auxiliary material due to historical publishing quirks. Despite these textual eccentricities, the core writings remain a monument to early ethnographic research, emphasizing the importance of immersing oneself within a culture to truly understand its inner workings. The author maps out trade routes, canoes, and the psychological motivations behind native economic systems, offering a detailed window into a world largely untouched by modern industrialization at the time of writing. Scholars of history, sociology, and anthropology will find the volume to be a remarkable artifact of early scientific fieldwork, showcasing both the ambitions and the limitations of early twentieth-century academic exploration. Through meticulous documentation of rituals, communal values, and material culture, the book establishes a baseline for how subsequent generations would approach the study of human societies. Whether viewed as a pioneering anthropological study or as a curious historical document with its own unique publishing history, the book invites readers to look deeply into the mechanics of human connection across vast expanses of ocean and time.
🎯 Key Lessons
⚖️ Pros & Cons
✅ Pros
Serves as a pioneering historic text in the field of anthropology.
Provides detailed observations of indigenous island life and trade.
Offers a valuable window into early twentieth-century fieldwork methodologies.
Captures complex cultural exchanges that defined Western Pacific societies.
⚠️ Cons
Certain historical printings may contain typos and missing text.
Some editions include unrelated geometric or astronomical excerpts due to scanning errors.
❓ FAQ
Who wrote Argonauts of the Western Pacific? +
The book was written by the renowned anthropologist Bronislaw Malinowski.
What is the primary focus of the book? +
It focuses on the societal structures, trade systems, and daily life of indigenous populations in the Western Pacific.
How many pages does this edition contain? +
This particular edition spans 527 pages.
Are there any known issues with historical printings of this book? +
Yes, some historical editions and scanned copies may contain typos, missing text, or unrelated excerpts.
Who will find this book most useful? +
Students and scholars of history, anthropology, and sociology will find it to be a valuable resource.
