Genealogical Imagination: Two Studies of Life over Time

The Genealogical Imagination by Michael Jackson explores intergenerational trauma and temporality through ethnographic and imaginative writing, tracing the 150-year history of a Sierra Leone family and offering a fictionalized narrative based on his family history and fieldwork in northeastern Australia. Jackson demonstrates how genealogical time flows in stops and starts, becoming a powerful model for understanding our experience of being-in-the-world.

\n Format: Paperback / softback
\n Length: 320 pages
\n Publication date: 21 May 2021
\n Publisher: Duke University Press
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In his groundbreaking work, "The Genealogical Imagination," Michael Jackson delves into the intricate interplay between ethnographic and imaginative writing to explore the profound impact of intergenerational trauma and the complexities of temporality. Drawing upon his extensive fieldwork spanning over fifty years, Jackson weaves a captivating narrative that traces the 150-year history of a Sierra Leone family, encompassing periods of prosperity, powerlessness, war, peace, jihad, and migration. Through this rich tapestry, he offers a fictionalized account, loosely based on his family history and fieldwork in northeastern Australia, that sheds light on the enduring effects of wartime trauma across generations.

In these narratives, Jackson delves into diverse modes of being-in-time, showcasing how genealogical time unfolds in a fluid and fragmented manner. It oscillates between linear progression and discontinuous ruptures, as current generations grapple with their relationships to their ancestors. Jackson demonstrates how genealogy becomes a powerful model for understanding our complex experience of being in the world, as it encompasses the enduring bonds of kinship and the gravitational pull of the past.

"The Genealogical Imagination" is a thought-provoking and unconventional work that pushes the boundaries of academic discourse. It offers a nuanced portrayal of human lives, challenging conventional narratives and offering fresh perspectives on the complexities of human experience. Through its innovative approach, Jackson invites readers to engage with the past in new and profound ways, fostering a deeper understanding of our shared history and the potential for healing and transformation.

\n Weight: 468g\n
Dimension: 152 x 227 x 25 (mm)\n
ISBN-13: 9781478014072\n \n