In this exciting book Michel Maffesoli argues that the conventional approaches to understanding solidarity and society are deeply flawed. He contends that mass culture has disintegrated and that today social existence is conducted through fragmented tribal groupings, organized around the catchwords, brand-names and sound-bites of consumer culture. The book provides a rich backcloth against which to consider the rise of `identity politics' and the `proliferation of lifestyle cultures'.

The emergence of Islam has in recent years become a matter of heated debate, mainly because Islamic historiography is a battle-field of contradictory versions of the past. In this second collection of studies, several of which appear here for the first time, Michael Lecker distances himself from the clash of theories, concentrating instead on several basic issues. They all belong to the preparatory work that still remains to be done on the social and economic environment in which Islam emerged. The volume includes the following sections: Arabia on the Eve of Islam; Muhammad and his Companions; and Arabian Tribes in Pre- and Early Islamic Arabia. The third section includes much extended and fully-documented versions of nine Encyclopaedia of Islam articles dealing with Arabian tribes and tribal society.

What started out as an explanation for autistic behaviour has with twelve years of obsessive thought become the basis for a profound shift in thinking about psychology. The author takes the idea that we have been created by evolution and that gives us our psychology. He models this psychology layer on layer right from the start explaining everything from the cause of our fears, to friendship to the autistic and normal personality. This new model provides a twist in the tale. There isn't one normal personality there are two. The autistic personality is one of them the normal personality is the other. "Original and Tribal Minds" is essential reading for anybody that really wants to understand the autistic personality. It is essential reading for anybody interested in seeing psychology in a new light.

The American Indian Treaties Series.

This second edition of Introduction to Tribal Legal Studies is the only available comprehensive introduction to tribal law. In clear and straightforward language, Justin B. Richland and Sarah Deer discuss the history and structure of tribal justice systems; the scope of criminal and civil jurisdictions; and the various means by which the integrity of tribal courts is maintained. This book is an indispensable resource for students, tribal leaders, and tribal communities interested in the complicated relationship between tribal, federal, and state law. The second edition provides significant updates on all changes in laws affecting the tribes, numerous new case studies (including studies on Alaskan tribes and family law), and a new concluding chapter.

Committee Serial No. 20. Hearings were held on Sept. 9 at Fort Yates, N.Dak., Cheyenne River Agency, S.Dak., and Pierre, S.Dak., on Sept. 10 at Lower Brule Reservation, S.Dak., and Fort Thompson, S.Dak., and on Sept. 12 at Pine Ridge, S.Dak., and Rosebud Indian Reservation, S.Dak.