Reviews (97)

Pollan is my hero!
I am a pharmacist who is also very interested in how diet and exercise maintain people's health.Michael Pollan's book was an incredible eye-opener.I first heard him interviewed on Science Friday on NPR news (podcast) and decided to read his book.It is an extremely well researched book with an entire source list in the back.It is also very entertaining and easy to read.It is obvious he has a great sense of humor.His book encompasses the economics, politics, biology, ecology, and physiology regarding our current american diet.His book has surely changed the way I think about food and I was fairly well versed before I read his book.Now, I am a member of a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) and have been spreading the word! This is one of the best and most influential books I have ever read. Everyone should read it.Ignorance is not bliss.Just ask some of my pharmacy customers who have side effects from the medicines they take and have to spend hundreds to thousands of dollars on those same medications.

My response to Vegan/Vegetarian horn-tutors
I'm about halfway through this book (I've been kind of skipping around to various parts--which is how I usually read non-fiction books). Modern agriculture, factory farming, and where our food comes from are all subjects near and dear to my heart. These are topics that only people in the industry or professionally trained chefs (which I am) usually know and care about. I don't think veganism/vegetarianism is a good response (and I don't think it will fix anything). Instead, we need to be voicing our displeasure with our dollars.
Must Read for the Health Conscious
The Omnivore's Dilemma is an exploration into the foods that are on our plates and why. The answers he delivers are at times frightening.
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Subjects:  1. Anthropology - General    2. Archaeology / Anthropology    3. Food Science    4. Food habits    5. Food preferences    6. History    7. Manners And Customs    8. Nutrition    9. Popular Culture - General    10. Social Science    11. Sociology    12. Health & Fitness / Nutrition   

Reviews (9)

Info wanted
What is the CDfor in the 11th edition? I'm interested in the book, but most editions don't diff dramatically, but I do notice the 11th comes with a cd.

I don't know why the other reviews are so critical
I bought this because it is needed for my Cultural Anthropology class and it's a pretty smooth read. It has a definate liberal bias but no more than any other college book I've had to buy, if anything it's a bit less liberal bias than some of the books I've had to suffer through.
A Good Introductory Text
This is one of the better anthropology texts available today.It is very comprehensive, well-organized, and takes a very broad view of the human condition.The problem with textbooks is that they sometimes summarize issues as if they were settled questions, when, in reality, many of the problems involved are the subjects of complex debate.This is not necessarily a bad thing, since the majority of undergraduate students are not interested in primary sources that are very difficult to read and take a lot of work to understand.As an instructor I found the book to be very good as a basic resource that allowed me to teach my perspective of the discipline to students using supplementary materials and lectures.The major drawback is that it is so expensive, but not more so than other textbooks out there.
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Subjects:  1. Anthropology - Cultural    2. Anthropology - General    3. Archaeology / Anthropology    4. Ethnology    5. Social Science    6. Sociology    7. Social & cultural anthropology    8. Social Science / Anthropology / General    9. Sociology, Social Studies   

Reviews (1)

Creative, engaging and edgy
This is a fascinating look into an aspect of Japanese culture I never knew existed.Joan Sinclair got incredible access -- access not only to the actual establishments, but access to the inner lives of some of these women and men whom she portrays with honesty and integrity.She has a fresh, exciting lens which comes through not without a revolutionary edge.This is an original.The intro by Farrer is also excellent. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Anthropology - General    2. Cultural And Social Anthropology    3. Human Sexuality    4. Japan    5. Nightclubs    6. Pictorial works    7. Psychology    8. Sex customs    9. Sex-oriented businesses    10. Social Science    11. Sociology    12. Art / Popular Culture    13. Erotic art    14. Photographs: collections    15. Pop Culture; sex; travel; Japan   

Editorial Review

Explaining what William McNeill called Read more

Reviews (917)

too long
This book REALLY needs an editor. It is just too long. Mr. Diamond goes over the same points over and over in excruciating detail. My solution was just to skip paragraphs detailing exactly how to carbon-date pinecones for the 20th time.
questionable from the beginning
I haven't yet finished the book, but have found reason to doubt the Mr. Diamond in the preface and prologue alone.In the preface, Diamond states that the readers are not about to read a "racist treatise" and that the book doesn't "involve human racial differences at all."Skip a few pages to the prologue and Diamond postulates "Why did New Guineans wind up technologically primitive, despite what I believe to be their superior intelligence?"Is New Guinean a race?Maybe, maybe not... but reverse the statement and then see how the critics chime in.
Not as compelling as "Collapse" but a good read nontheless.
Diamond presents a look at the evolution of various Cultures throughout the World and how geography has played an important part in their developement.The reason that Eurasia and North Africa evolved more highly developed (technologically anyway) cultures was that there was a wider variety of wild plant and animal species that could be tamed by the humans living in those areas following the Ice Age than there was available to humans in other parts of the world.This enabled people in these areas to develope farming societies (which required more specializations than hunter gatherer societies) more quickly than in other parts of the globe.
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Subjects:  1. Anthropology - General    2. Archaeology / Anthropology    3. Civilization    4. Ethnology    5. History    6. Human Geography    7. Life Sciences - Evolution    8. Social Science    9. Social evolution    10. Sociology    11. Evolution    12. Sociology, Social Studies    13. World history    14. Reading Group Guide   

Subjects:  1. Anthropology - General    2. Archaeology / Anthropology    3. Social Science    4. Sociology    5. Biological anthropology    6. Social Science / Anthropology / General   

Subjects:  1. Anthropology - Physical    2. Physical Anthropology    3. Social Science    4. Sociology    5. Textbooks    6. Biological anthropology    7. Social Science / Anthropology / General   

Reviews (1)

The Science of Morality Comes of Age
When Darwin discovered natural selection, he was quick and remarkably insightful as to how this might affect our understanding of our own species, Homo sapiens. Alfred Russel Wallace, the impressive co-discover of the theory, never agreed to its application to humans. He considered our mental faculties far too advanced to be accounted for by the same forces that gave rise to pond scum and even chimpanzees. The debate continues to this very day, and will not be resolved in the forseeable future.
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Subjects:  1. Anthropology - General    2. Archaeology / Anthropology    3. Ethics    4. Ethics & Moral Philosophy    5. General    6. Life Sciences - Evolution - Human    7. Moral Development (Psychology)    8. Philosophy    9. Philosophy & Social Aspects    10. Philosophy Of Biology    11. Science    12. Science / General   

Subjects:  1. Anthropology - General    2. Social Science    3. Social Sciences (General)    4. Social sciences    5. Sociology    6. Sociology - General    7. Social Science / Sociology / General    8. Sociology, Social Studies   

Subjects:  1. Anthropology - Cultural    2. Anthropology - General    3. Applied anthropology    4. Archaeology / Anthropology    5. Ethnology    6. Social Science    7. Sociology    8. Social & cultural anthropology    9. Social Science / Anthropology / General   

Reviews (4)

Excellent collection, a standard in anthro -- and the 12th is DIFFERENT from the11th
I've used this collection off and on for years in teaching Introduction to Cultural Anthropology.It's a great book, a real standard in anthropology.Honestly, I think the relevance and quality of the essays varies from edition to edition.I liked the 11th more than the 12th.Sometimes a 'favorite' essay gets replaced; and then in the next edition it is returned.Go figure.
Good stuff
The book came fast and it was brand new.The book was crisp.It's a soft covered book but it still made that new hard-textbook sound. :0)

Excellent introduction to cultural anthropology!
This text was used in my introductory anthropolgy class, and I thoroughly enjoyed the readings. The text includes many case studies of differing cultures without being overly technical. I found this text easy to read, but very thought provoking. Highly recommended! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Anthropology    2. Anthropology - Cultural    3. Archaeology / Anthropology    4. Cultural And Social Anthropology    5. Ethnology    6. Social Science    7. Sociology    8. Social & cultural anthropology    9. Social Science / Anthropology / General   

Reviews (63)

Could have been a lot better
The book is separated into 7 chapters, covering a pretty impressive variety of Halloween lore, beleifs and activities.
Halloween Traditions, Divinations, Recipes, Crafts and More
"Harvest moon, velvet sky, pumpkins glowing, children laughing, costumes, candy, snapping breezes...scary stories, Indian corn, haunted houses, smiling scarecrows, blowing leaves...apples, parties, spindly spiders, dancing bats, grinning ghosts, sparkling stars...hayrides, dances, screeching cats, big bonfires...just where did this autumn gaiety begin?" - Silver RavenWolf
My Favorite Holiday
Halloween is one of my favorite holidays. In here the history of the holiday Halloween is explored as well as the second half is interesting recipes for Halloween goodies. Halloween is actually a neopagan holiday but a lot don't celebrate it because it scares them. Well it doesn't scare me. Finally a book that is a non-condemning tome about the subject. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Americas (North Central South West Indies)    2. Body, Mind & Spirit    3. Divination    4. Halloween    5. History    6. Holidays (non religious)    7. Holidays - General    8. Magic    9. Manners And Customs    10. New Age    11. New Age / Body, Mind & Spirit    12. Witchcraft    13. Witchcraft & Wicca    14. Body, Mind & Spirit / Witchcraft & Wicca    15. Customs    16. Occultism & quasi-religious beliefs    17. The Americas   

Reviews (2)

Bourdieu kicks Foucault's ...
How could anyone put Foucault above Bourdieu?Bourdieu has a rigorous sociology behind his work & provides a real theoretical groundwork to reconcile materialist, interpretive/symbolic and interactionist perspectives.Foucault on the other hand has led anthropologists down a slippery slope of prevarication, vagueness, grandstanding and an obsession with a hollow & impoverished idea of what constitutes a "critical" stance.

excellent ideas, a lot of ethnography
For anyone interested in cultural studies or in ethnology/ anthropology/ sociology, _Outline_ is a must read.Read more

Subjects:  1. Anthropology - General    2. Ethnology    3. Kabyles    4. Social Science    5. Sociology    6. Sociology - Social Theory    7. Kabyles - Addresses, essays, lectures    8. Social Science / Anthropology / General    9. Social theory   

Subjects:  1. Anthropology - Cultural    2. Archaeology / Anthropology    3. Cultural And Social Anthropology    4. Ethnology    5. Social Science    6. Sociology    7. Social & cultural anthropology    8. Social Science / Anthropology / General   

Reviews (3)

A very mixed bag of articles to read with eyes wide open
"Basic Communications of Intercultural Communication" is a collection of thirteen essays on a variety ofcross-cultural topics, mostly those affecting people of different nationalities or speaking different languages. The quality of the articles is very uneven. Basic Concepts of Intercultural Communication
This is a must read book, especially for those dealing with intercultural communication, both in the areas of foreign language learning and business management. I read some of the articles twice even three times and found the them very inspiring for my teachings as they provided a strong foundation on cross cultural understanding; moreover they have helped me a lot in highlighting the sensitive matters in intercultural communication to my class. I assume anyone dealing with people from different cultural background need to know the arts of intercultural communication, as misunderstanding might result in losing the business. I am quite positive that this book will also be of great help for managers, business people who have to deal with their foreign partners.

A fundamental reference I return to again and again.
This book was my initial introduction to the field of intercultural communication and I seem to return to it often as a reference point in thinking about new intercultural works that I wish to more deeplyunderstand.The chapter on marginality by Janet Bennett is particularlythought provoking and helpful around personal identification issues relatedto biculturality. I strongly suggest this book to anyone seeking tobetter understand intercultural relations.I can't seem to keep it off mydesk and get it back on the shelf. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Anthropology - Cultural    2. Anthropology - General    3. Communication    4. Cultural And Social Anthropology    5. Intercultural Communication    6. Interpersonal Relations    7. Social Science    8. Sociology    9. Communication Studies    10. Cultural studies   

Reviews (9)

Understand The Amish As They Really Are
Many readers probably bought this book after visiting an Amish community or seeing a Hollywood movie that triggered their curiosity for a culture and a way of life that seem to defy the passing of time. For most people, it will be the first and also perhaps the last ethnographic study that they read. They couldn't have fallen on a better piece of work. Not only will they learn a wealth of facts about the Amish, their history, their beliefs, and their social organization, but they will also come across a fine scholarly work that makes use of the distinctive methods of the social sciences in a thoroughly accessible way.
In-depth, scholarly and effective
Growing up near some scattered Amish church districts in Northwestern Pennsylvania and Western New York, I have always been interested in learning more about the Amish going way back to my childhood.Hostetler's book is my first attempt at this and I managed to pick a very good starting point.
Interesting but sometimes slow
This book is so informative, but at some points it is slow moving. The good thing about the book is that the chapters are divided so you can skip chapters you don't think you would be interested in.It is a great book to buy if you are interested or wanting to learn more about the amish community.It covers everything from funerals to marriage.A great read! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Amish    2. Anthropology - General    3. Archaeology / Anthropology    4. Christianity - Amish    5. Social life and customs    6. Sociology    7. United States    8. United States - General    9. Anthropology    10. Cultural studies    11. Medical / Public Health    12. Other Protestant & Nonconformist Churches    13. Social history    14. USA   

Reviews (7)

Strong Tips Here
Axtell vividly shows how common sense is NOT enough to get you through all social or business situations around the world. Travelers ignore Axtell at their own peril.

Interesting
This book is good to read in general terms as it attempted to explain the gestures from all around the world.Sometimes, it's amusing to read & at times, I would be loss for words as what I thought was the right things to do in certain countries is actually considered as rude or obscene.Perhaps, it's the kind of book that you can read in the plane or just as a matter of interest.The presentation is rather text book-ish with bullet points, occasional pictures to ease readers' boredom, something like a PowerPoint presentation.I guess that denotes the writer's background being a prominent guest speaker.

Useful, interesting and funny
This is a nice book. If you are going to travel abroad or you meet foreign people, you would like to know what these people understand from your body language. Of course, the book also gives you good material for chatting with friends from anywhere (including your own coutry).Read more

Subjects:  1. Body language    2. Business & Economics    3. Business Etiquette    4. Business/Economics    5. Cross-cultural studies    6. Etiquette    7. Gesture    8. Intercultural Communication    9. Nonverbal Communication    10. Reference    11. Business & Economics / Business Etiquette    12. Business communication & presentation    13. Cultural studies    14. Customs    15. International business   

Reviews (1)

Best introductory Text Available on the market
This is an excellent text.Any professor searching for a Cultural Anthropology text needn't look any further.Heider presents the material in a very interesting, concise, and very clear way.Heider clearly illustrates the holistic approach to anthropology and explores that avenue in an exciting way. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Anthropology - Cultural    2. Anthropology - General    3. Archaeology / Anthropology    4. Ethnology    5. Indigenous peoples in motion p    6. Indigenous peoples in motion pictures    7. Motion pictures in ethnology    8. Social Science    9. Sociology    10. Anthropology    11. Social Science / Anthropology / General   

Subjects:  1. Anthropology - General    2. Archaeology / Anthropology    3. Fossils and Molecular Biology    4. Human Evolution    5. Palaeoanthropology    6. Primate Evolution    7. Social Science / Anthropology / General   

Reviews (1)

An informed and informative addition
Enhanced with the inclusion of 14 color photographs, 2 color maps, 36 black/white photographs, and 13 line drawn illustrations, "Skin: A Natural History" by Nina G. Jablonski (Head of the Department of Anthropology at The California Academy of Sciences) is a thoroughly "reader friendly" and scholarly introduction to the biological and cultural functions of human skin. "Skin" addresses such questions and issues as how and when human skin came to look, fell, and function as we know it today; why we turn pale when anxious but red when we are embarrassed or angry; why touch is one of the fundamentally important senses of the body and relates to every aspect of human life; what is the real purpose of fingerprints; skin as a canvas for self-expression; the effects of aging, environmental stress, insect bites, burns, and diseases upon skin; advancing medical technologies relevant to skin issues, and so much more. Surveying more than 300-million-years of evolutionary development as it relates to the skin of homo sapiens, "Skin" addresses the critical role skin plays in human health (including processing sunlight for Vitamin D), the role of melanin in protecting us from the sun's rays, and the advances toward to the creation of artificial skin, gene therapies, reversing the aging process of skin, and other fascinating issues related to our skin. "Skin: A Natural History" is an informed and informative addition to medical school, academic library, and Anthropological Studies collections, as well as a very highly recommended study for non-specialist general readers with an interest in the biology and sociology of skin issues. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Anthropology - General    2. Beauty & Grooming - General    3. Beauty & Grooming - Skin    4. Fashion & Grooming    5. Health & Fitness    6. Health/Fitness    7. History    8. Life Sciences - Zoology - Mammals    9. Medical / Nursing    10. Physiology    11. Skin    12. Body art & tattooing    13. Social & cultural anthropology    14. Social Science / Anthropology / General   

Editorial Review

The late Bruce Chatwin carved out a literary career as unique as any writer's in this century: his books included Read more

Reviews (51)

Best of the best
This is the kind of writing/reflecting many people do while travelling and is not a "how to" type of travel guide.I've recommended this book to several thoughtful people, given it to many thoughtful teens as they begin to self-discover, and re-read the book twice.VERY nice writing, good thoughts, great ideas about humans.

The Songlines
As i never wanted to go to Australia, i have to say that after reading this book i have not changed my mind, but it is not a point. It is not a book about traveling in Australia. It is more a book about walking, for example. As i like walking, i have found in this book so many great examples of what the walking is about, it is not just moving from one point on the Earth to another, it is also philosophy. And so on...this book is highly recommended for those who knows what the word "travel" means. In present time many people travel, but just a few ones deserve to be called "traveller". Bruce Chatwin is among them.

Read before you go!
I wish I had read this book prior to our traveling to Australia.
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Subjects:  1. 1940-1989    2. Aboriginal Australians    3. Australia    4. Australia & Oceania - Australia    5. Chatwin, Bruce,    6. Description and travel    7. Essays & Travelogues    8. General    9. History - General History    10. Politics/International Relations    11. Social life and customs    12. Travel    13. Chatwin, Bruce    14. Ethnic studies    15. Journeys    16. Social Science / Anthropology / General    17. Travel writing