Scott Cook Book order

Drawing from extensive fieldwork in Oaxaca and Tamaulipas, an esteemed economic anthropologist reflects on the influence of commodities in his life and career. This academic memoir offers unique insights into the intersection of personal experiences and anthropological practice, highlighting how economic factors shape cultural understanding. Through a blend of personal narrative and scholarly analysis, the book explores the significance of commodities in both individual and societal contexts.

The memoir recounts the surprising transformation of a PE teacher into a strategic missile control operator during the Cold War. Scott Cook's journey spans from the tranquil hills of Virginia to intense training in California, eventually leading him to the tense environment of North Dakota's missile silos. Through candid storytelling, he explores the secretive military culture and the heavy responsibilities faced by those in command of nuclear weapons, highlighting the stark contrast between his laid-back past and the grave realities of military life.

Each of these short stories was written specifically for Christmas. They combine concern for social ills with the myths and memories of childhood and traditional Christmas spirit-lore. The stories include "A Christmas Carol", "The Chimes", "The Battle of Life" and "The Cricket on the Hearth".