[1] The book explores a distinctive system of prestige feasting tied to an ancestor cult in Buguias, Benguet province, Philippines, emphasizing its prevalence among the Southern Kankana-ey ethnic group engaged in commerce.

The review noted the shift from earlier political economy research on uneven development to then recent emphasis on cultural aspects, interpretation, and improved links between theory and empirical work.

Hafner highlighted the book's focus on Southeast Asia, specifically the Cordillera of northern Luzon in the Philippines, where Lewis challenged modernization theory by demonstrating that economic integration through small-scale commodity production does not necessarily lead to the breakdown of communitarian social order.

The review praised the book's meticulous exploration of the Buguias region, detailing its socio-cultural, economic, and ecological landscape from the early 20th century to the aftermath of World War II.

He wrote:The author's training as a geographer is reflected in the broad temporal and spatial focus of the study, which includes three well-demarcated periods and the complex interactions of several specialized ethnic groups in highland Luzon.

[3]Melanie G. Wiber acknowledged the book's merits, noting its accessibility for undergraduate students, effective historical summaries, and valuable perspectives on population dynamics, trade patterns, and ecological degradation.

[5] Lars Kjaerholm of Aarhus University appreciated the book's historical perspective, particularly its exploration of how colonial administration and the introduction of a market economy transformed the landscape and culture over time.