MARC Record from Library of Congress

LEADER: 02652cam a22003974a 4500
001 2011001971
003 DLC
005 20120223170807.0
008 110204s2011 enk b 001 0 eng
010 $a 2011001971
020 $a9780521763813 (hbk.)
020 $a9780521188029 (pbk.)
040 $aDLC$cDLC$dDLC
042 $apcc
043 $af-ua---$aa-is---$ae-gr---
050 00 $aCB311$b.A75 2011
082 00 $a930$222
084 $aHIS002000$2bisacsh
100 1 $aAssmann, Jan.
245 10 $aCultural memory and early civilization :$bwriting, remembrance, and political imagination /$cJan Assmann.
260 $aCambridge ;$aNew York :$bCambridge University Press,$c2011.
300 $axii, 319 p. ;$c24 cm.
520 $a"Now available to an English-speaking audience, this book presents a groundbreaking theoretical analysis of memory, identity, and culture. It investigates how cultures remember, arguing that human memory exists and is communicated in two ways, namely inter-human interaction and in external systems of notation, such as writing, which can span generations. Dr. Assmann defines two theoretical concepts of cultural memory, differentiating between the long-term memory of societies, which can span up to 3,000 years, and communicative memory, which is typically restricted to 80-100 years. He applies this theoretical framework to case studies of four specific cultures, illustrating the function contexts and specific achievements, including the state, international law, religion, and science. Ultimately, his research demonstrates that memory is not simply a means of retaining information, but rather a force that can shape cultural identity and allow cultures to respond creatively to both daily challenges and catastrophic changes"--$cProvided by publisher.
504 $aIncludes bibliographical references and index.
505 0 $apt. 1. The theoretical basis -- Memory culture -- Written culture -- Cultural identity and political imagination -- pt. 2. Case studies -- Egypt -- Israel and the invention of religion -- The birth of history from the spirit of the law -- Greece and disciplined thinking -- Cultural memory : a summary.
650 0 $aCivilization, Ancient.
650 0 $aMemory$xSocial aspects$xHistory.
650 0 $aCollective memory$xHistory.
650 0 $aGroup identity$xHistory.
650 0 $aInterpersonal communication$xHistory.
650 0 $aWritten communication$xHistory.
650 0 $aPolitics and culture$xHistory.
651 0 $aEgypt$xCivilization.
651 0 $aIsrael$xCivilization.
651 0 $aGreece$xCivilization.
650 7 $aHISTORY / Ancient / General$2bisacsh.