The East in the West reassesses Western views of Asia, which much European history and social theory has seen as "static" or "backward." Jack Goody challenges these Eurocentric assumptions, including the notion of a special Western rationality, and differences in mercantile activity. Other factors "inhibiting" the East's development, such as the role of the family, have also been greatly exaggerated, and have contributed to a misunderstanding of both Eastern and Western history and society. This wide-ranging and provocative book begins to redress the balance. "The book will be appreciated by modern Asian scholars....Goody's presentation is compact yet informative, provocative, and at the same time elegant. The author certainly brings freshness into a timeworn dialogue. The reading list at the end of the book is admirable." Arun Das Gupta International History Review "This book should be read by every social scientist and historian who is concerned about the problem of Eurocentrism. It should be assigned to students in a wide range of courses in history, sociology, geography, and of course anthropology. This book is important." Science & Society "This book should be read by every social scientist and historian who is concerned about the problem of Eurocentrism." J.M. Blaut, Science & Society A provocative, wide-ranging study which challenges our assumptions about Eastern 'backwardness'. Used Book in Good Condition