{"product_id":"gender-on-the-edge-transgender-gay-and-other-pacific-islanders","title":"Gender on the Edge: Transgender, Gay, and Other Pacific Islanders","description":"\u003cp\u003eIn this review of Gender on the Edge: Transgender, Gay, and Other Pacific Islanders, the book is recommended for readers seeking an informed, region-specific exploration of gender and sexuality in Pacific Island societies. The volume brings together ethnographic and historical perspectives that illuminate how local concepts of identity intersect with colonial and global forces; its single biggest reason to buy is the depth of culturally grounded analysis that challenges Western assumptions about gender. This review highlights the book's purpose, approach, and who will benefit most from its case studies and arguments.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eKey Features\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eEthnographic depth:\u003c\/strong\u003e The chapters provide detailed field-based accounts that help readers understand gender variance within specific Pacific Island communities.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eComparative perspective:\u003c\/strong\u003e Multiple contributors compare islands and groups to show both shared patterns and important local differences.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHistorical context:\u003c\/strong\u003e Essays situate contemporary identities within colonial and postcolonial histories, clarifying how past policies shape present lives.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eInterdisciplinary approach:\u003c\/strong\u003e The book combines anthropology, history, and social analysis to offer a rounded view of gender and sexuality.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCritical framing:\u003c\/strong\u003e Contributors interrogate Western categories and highlight indigenous concepts, which broadens the reader's conceptual toolkit.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAccessible scholarship:\u003c\/strong\u003e The writing balances academic rigor with clear explanations, making complex ideas approachable for non-specialists.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWho It's For\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe book is well suited to students and researchers in \u003cstrong\u003egender studies\u003c\/strong\u003e, anthropology, and Pacific history who need rich case studies and theoretical engagement with non-Western gender systems. It is also valuable for activists and practitioners working in Pacific communities who want context for contemporary debates about gender and sexuality.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eReaders seeking a basic introduction to gender theory without regional specificity may find this volume denser than necessary; likewise, those wanting a general popular history of the Pacific should look elsewhere, as the focus here is scholarly and centered on identity, social practice, and historical change.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePros \u0026amp; Cons\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePros\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eContains rigorous \u003cstrong\u003eethnographic case studies\u003c\/strong\u003e that bring local voices and practices to the fore.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOffers useful historical grounding that links colonial policies to current gender dynamics.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCombines perspectives across disciplines to give a fuller view than a single-method study.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCons\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe academic style and density mean it is less suited to casual readers seeking a light overview.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTitle\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGender on the Edge: Transgender, Gay, and Other Pacific Islanders\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAuthors \/ Editors\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNiko Besnier, Kalissa Alexeyeff\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCategory\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBooks; Gender Studies; Social Sciences\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFocus\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTransgender, gay, and diverse gender identities in Pacific Island contexts\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eApproach\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eEthnography, history, and social analysis\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAudience\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eStudents, researchers, activists\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eOur Verdict\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGender on the Edge is a worthwhile purchase for readers who want rigorous, context-rich scholarship on gender and sexuality in Pacific societies. Its combination of ethnography and historical perspective makes it a strong academic resource and a useful reference for practitioners, offering nuanced critiques of universalizing Western categories and good value for those seeking depth rather than a popular overview.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDoes this book cover multiple Pacific islands?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes, the volume includes comparative and locally specific studies across different Pacific Island communities.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs the writing accessible to non-academics?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe essays are scholarly but generally clear; interested non-specialists can follow the arguments though some chapters are dense.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWho edited the book?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe volume is edited by Niko Besnier and Kalissa Alexeyeff.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Niko Besnier, Kalissa Alexeyeff","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48779225268443,"sku":"0824838823","price":81.81,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0724\/1043\/1707\/files\/91IQEBGFzpL._SL1500.jpg?v=1778945851","url":"https:\/\/gearmusthave.com\/products\/gender-on-the-edge-transgender-gay-and-other-pacific-islanders","provider":"GearMustHave","version":"1.0","type":"link"}