At Home in the Word

by Michael D. Jackson

Book Overview

Now in paperback Ours is an era of uprootedness, with fewer and fewer people living out their lives where they are born. At such a time, in such a world, what does it mean to be "at home?" Perhaps... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN13: 9790822325382
• Release Date: September 2000
• Publisher: Duke University Press
• Weight: 0.79 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 5.5" x 9.2"

Customer Reviews

All Over the Map

A very intriguing and beautifully written book, if at times lacking in context and clarity. Then again, a little bit of muddle does seem fitting on a subject so dense, and a narrative as multi-faceted as the dreaming.

AN ADVENTURE FOR TODAY!

Michael Jackson is an Ethnographer/Anthropologist who is of the school which searches for similarities rather than differences among cultures, to look at the full range of our humanity in dealing with various situations.This book describes the second year of a three year study of a group of Walbiri people of Australia. This particular group has had all of their usual nomadic places encroached on by civilization. In addition, the earlier unwittingly harmful effect of the Australian government's attempt to "civilize" the indigenous people is discussed.Michael Jackson uses this study to focus on what is meant by "home" and "homelessness" on many levels, from the present world-wide migrations to his past personal choice of careers in escaping New Zealand (a place many of us would to go to).In addition to being a very well-traveled and professionally accomplished scholar, Michael Jackson has also published fiction and poetry. Consequently this book is also a Thoreau-like attempt to fuse Art and Science.The concepts of home and homelessness are mapped out for us to understand and apply to our own situations. But the only solutions to any problems arising there, lie in the compassion and human-heartedness that show throughout this author's writing.Each chapter stars with an apt quotation. My favorite is a toss-up between a Roman proverb from Chapter 2: "ubi bene, ibi patria"-translated as-"Your home is where they treat you well", and a Walbiri saying from Chapter 4:"A house is a good thing. You can lock it up and go live anywhere you like"--Walter Pukatiwara.