"Both a vital theoretical work and a fine illustration of the principles and practice of sensory ethnography, this much anticipated translation is destined to figure as a major catalyst in the expanding field of sensory studies. Drawing on his own fieldwork in Brazil and Japan and a wide range of philosophical, literary and cinematic sources, the author outlines his vision for a 'modal anthropology'. François Laplantine challenges the primacy accorded to 'sign' and 'structure' in conventional social science research, and redirects attention to the tonalities and rhythmic intensities of different ways of living. Arguing that meaning, sensation and sociality cannot be considered separately, he calls for a "politics of the sensible" and a complete reorientation of our habitual ways of understanding reality.The book also features an introduction to the sensory and social thought of François Laplantine and the Sensory Studies series by series editor David Howes"-- "Both a groundbreaking theoretical work and an excellent illustration of the principles and practice of sensory ethnography, this much anticipated translation is destined to figure as a major catalyst in the emergent field of sensory studies. Drawing on a wide range of scholarly sources, as well as film, literature, and his own field experience in Brazil and Japan, the author outlines his vision for a 'modal anthropology'. François Laplantine questions the primacy of 'sign' and 'structure' in conventional social science research, and focusses attention on the tonalities and rhythmic intensities of our consciousness of the world. Arguing that meaning, sensation and sociality cannot be considered separately, he calls for a 'politics of the sensible' keyed to the life experience of the individual human subject"--