Folkways: A Study of the Sociological Importance of Usages, Manners

In this review of Folkways, William Graham Sumner's century-old classic, the bottom line is clear: this is an essential, wide-ranging reference for readers who want a historical perspective on social customs across cultures. The book stands out for the sheer breadth of illustrations it collects, from ancient Greece and Rome to Africa, Australia, Melanesia, Japan, China, India, medieval Christianity, Judaism, Islam, and modern Western life. For historians, sociologists, and curious general readers the book offers a panoramic survey of labor, wealth, slavery, marriage, education and many other customs that illuminate how societies regulate behavior.

Key Features

• Cross-cultural coverage: Presents comparative examples from ancient and modern societies that help readers trace recurring social patterns across continents and eras.
• Wide subject range: Discusses labor, wealth, slavery, cannibalism, marriage and education to give a rounded picture of social life and moral codes.
• Historical depth: Uses illustrations from ancient Greece and Rome and medieval traditions to show how longstanding usages shape contemporary mores.
• Sociological framing: Explains why commonplace manners and customs matter to social order, making abstract ideas tangible through real-world examples.
• Reference value: Serves as a readable compendium for classroom use or independent study, useful for citation and comparative thought.

Who It's For

This volume is well suited to students and teachers of sociology and religious studies who need historical examples that illuminate how customs and morals evolve and persist. It is also valuable for historians, anthropologists, and informed general readers who appreciate broad comparative surveys rather than narrowly focused monographs.

Readers seeking modern empirical data, recent ethnographic fieldwork, or contemporary theoretical frameworks should look elsewhere; this book is a historical, illustrative survey rather than a source of current statistics or postwar scholarship.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Broad comparative scope gives perspective on many customs across time and place.
• Readable examples make sociological concepts concrete for non-specialists.
• Useful as a classroom reference and for cross-cultural comparison in teaching or writing.

Cons

• As a century-old work, it lacks recent ethnographic research and modern theoretical updates.

Specifications

Our Verdict

Folkways remains a valuable historical compendium for readers who want sweeping, comparative illustrations of customs and morals across civilizations. While it is not a source of contemporary fieldwork or recent theory, it delivers enduring examples and context that make it good value for students and general readers seeking perspective on how usages shape social life.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this book cover non-Western societies?
Yes. It includes examples from Africa, Australia, Melanesia, Japan, China, India and more.

Is this suitable for classroom use?
Yes. Its broad illustrations and historical framing make it a useful reference for courses in sociology and religious studies.

Will I find modern ethnography here?
No. The work is a historical survey and does not include contemporary ethnographic studies or recent theoretical developments.