LÉVI-STRAUSS (Claude) Paris, 25 August 1989... Autograph letter signed about Tristes tropiques. 1 p. in-4 (26.8 x 21 cm), black ink on bible paper, envelope retained. Interesting letter from Lévi-Strauss to Professor Alex S. Jones, dated 25 August 1989. He discusses the genesis of the writing of his greatest work, Tristes Tropiques, and its influences. "Under what circumstances did I write Tristes Tropiques? Quite simply because Plon asked me to write a book for their new 'Terre Humaine' collection [...]". He also returned to the notion of structuralism and his book Anthropologie structurale deux. "A definition of structuralism? To put it briefly, I would say that structuralism applies itself to the search for identical forms in different contents [...]". The letter is in good condition despite a few creases. Attached: - LÉVI-STRAUSS (Claude). Tristes tropiques. Paris, Plon, 1955. In-8 (20,2 x 14,3 cm), paperback, printed cover, illustrated dust jacket, folder and slipcase (Devauchelle). Original edition with 116 illustrations, including 54 illustrations in the text and 62 out-of-text reproductions of photographs by Lévi-Strauss. Copy complete with first printing dust jacket and advertisement leaflet. This edition was not printed in large paper. Enriched with a signed autograph thank-you from Lévi-Strauss in English, dated 27 November 1969, on his business card pasted on the false title. Restored folds and tears to the dust jacket, small and skilful restoration to the head cover, slight foxing on a few leaves, handwritten on the first and last endpaper. - LÉVI-STRAUSS (Claude). Regarder Écouter Lire. Paris, Plon, 1993. In-8 (21.5 x 16.4 cm), paperback, printed cover. First edition. This edition was not printed in large paper. Autograph signed letter from the author to the publisher Bernard de Fallois "with my most faithful memory". Copy in fine condition.