Revolutions in Sorrow

The American Experience of Death in Global Perspective

Nonfiction, Social & Cultural Studies, Political Science
Cover of the book Revolutions in Sorrow by Peter N. Stearns, Taylor and Francis
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Peter N. Stearns ISBN: 9781317252719
Publisher: Taylor and Francis Publication: December 3, 2015
Imprint: Routledge Language: English
Author: Peter N. Stearns
ISBN: 9781317252719
Publisher: Taylor and Francis
Publication: December 3, 2015
Imprint: Routledge
Language: English

Huge changes have occurred in both the physical facts of death and in the cultural modes that guide our reactions to it. These changes also affect policy issues ranging from punishments for crimes to birth control to the conduct of war. This book explores the impacts of these changes upon both personal experience and social policy and places developments in the United States in an international comparative context.The book opens with an overview of traditional patterns of death and related cultural practices in agricultural civilizations, along with changes brought by Christianity. Attitudes and practices in colonial America are traced and compared to other societies. After setting this historical context, the book examines the immense changes that occurred in the nineteenth century: new cultural reactions to death, expressed in changing death rituals and cemetery design; the unprecedented reduction later in the century of infant mortality; the relocation of death from home to hospital; the redefinition of death as a taboo subject. The book's final segment relates changes in death culture and experience to the contentious debates of the twentieth century over the death penalty, abortion, and the practice of war. The book is designed to use historical and comparative perspectives to stimulate debate about the strengths and weaknesses of cultural practices and policies related to death.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

Huge changes have occurred in both the physical facts of death and in the cultural modes that guide our reactions to it. These changes also affect policy issues ranging from punishments for crimes to birth control to the conduct of war. This book explores the impacts of these changes upon both personal experience and social policy and places developments in the United States in an international comparative context.The book opens with an overview of traditional patterns of death and related cultural practices in agricultural civilizations, along with changes brought by Christianity. Attitudes and practices in colonial America are traced and compared to other societies. After setting this historical context, the book examines the immense changes that occurred in the nineteenth century: new cultural reactions to death, expressed in changing death rituals and cemetery design; the unprecedented reduction later in the century of infant mortality; the relocation of death from home to hospital; the redefinition of death as a taboo subject. The book's final segment relates changes in death culture and experience to the contentious debates of the twentieth century over the death penalty, abortion, and the practice of war. The book is designed to use historical and comparative perspectives to stimulate debate about the strengths and weaknesses of cultural practices and policies related to death.

More books from Taylor and Francis

Cover of the book Human Rights and Gender Politics by Peter N. Stearns
Cover of the book Environmental Risk Management by Peter N. Stearns
Cover of the book Solution-Focused Substance Abuse Treatment by Peter N. Stearns
Cover of the book African-American Holiness Pentecostal Movement by Peter N. Stearns
Cover of the book Gonadal Hormones and Sex Differences in Behavior by Peter N. Stearns
Cover of the book Institutions and Development After the Financial Crisis by Peter N. Stearns
Cover of the book Reading and Loving by Peter N. Stearns
Cover of the book Public Management and Sustainable Development in Nigeria by Peter N. Stearns
Cover of the book Handbook of Counseling and Psychotherapy in an International Context by Peter N. Stearns
Cover of the book The Political Economy of China-Latin America Relations in the New Millennium by Peter N. Stearns
Cover of the book Hunter-Gatherers of the Congo Basin by Peter N. Stearns
Cover of the book The Animal Mind by Peter N. Stearns
Cover of the book Women, Power, and Ethnicity by Peter N. Stearns
Cover of the book The Ship of Sulaiman by Peter N. Stearns
Cover of the book The Chicago Plan and New Deal Banking Reform by Peter N. Stearns
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy