By weaving discussions of the personal and professional writings of Ruth
Benedict (1887-1948), Margaret Mead offers a deeply insightful portrait
of a woman who overcame the barriers of sexism to become one of the most
compelling intellectual figures in twentieth-century American life. In
this work, Mead defends Benedict's humanistic approach to anthropology
and considers her most important works. Benedict's work is also
presented in the context of her personal life. Benedict was a shy young
woman who felt alienated from her conservative family and society's
expectations. Ultimately, she defined her life through her extraordinary
work in anthropology and a commitment to public service. Benedict
believed that anthropology should speak to contemporary ethical and
political questions. In addition to a selection of Benedict's
anthropological writings, this edition includes new forewords by two
leading Benedict scholars.