A World of Their Own Making: Myth, Ritual, and the Quest for Family Values

Rating:
Summary: Social construction of family images
Review: I really enjoyed this book by Gillis. I particulary found the idea of, the family we live by versus the family we live with, interesting. I used this book to write a research paper on the social construction of family photographs. Are the images the photograph imply real? Is it an image the family has constructed on purpose? Gillis has made a lot of intersting points in this book and everyone should read it.

Rating:
Summary: Brilliant synthesis.
Review: This thoughtful and orginal book is well written and fascinating. It incorporates a wide historiography into a brief and cogent synthesis while making its main points. Whether you are a scholar of the history of the family, a student writing a research paper or just someone interested in interogating your own family myths, this book would be very useful.