Cannibal In The Mirror [Library Binding]

Paul Fleishman (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1, 2000

Selections from anthropological writings are paired with photographs of twentieth-century people engaged in similar activities.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Gr 5 Up-This thought-provoking book explores the parallels between modern American culture and "uncivilized" societies from the past. Fleischman has selected 27 quotations from various printed works, most of which describe the writers' impressions of what might be considered barbarous behaviors. The quotes are paired with full-page color photographs depicting contemporary scenes from the United States, grouped into thematic categories such as "youth," "appearance," and "old age." A passage about a "heathen boy's education" describes various preparations for war; the opposite photo shows a boy aiming a toy gun at a video-arcade mall. Some of the parallels are dead on. Chinese ancestral tablets relate neatly to the mantelpiece of family photographs in the matching picture. Others are less direct. It's a bit of a jump to equate baseball players slapping palms with "laying-on of hands" and then to cannibalism. Several of the combinations are quite powerful. A collage of advertisements for cosmetic surgery takes on new meaning when aligned with a description of a practice among some North American Indians of shaping an infant's head with planks and boards. Other times the connection is more ironic, as in the comment by Marco Polo about astrologers accompanied by a photo of various modern newsstand tabloids. The author and photographer show restraint in their selections, avoiding obvious choices that might trivialize the parallels. Most of the excerpts are straight descriptions, without judgments, but in some cases the writer's views are clearly not objective. After spending time with this title, most readers will emerge with plenty of food for thought, discussion, and reflection.-Steven Engelfried, Deschutes County Library, Bend, OR

Copyright 2000 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 12 and up
  
• Library Binding: 64 pages
• Publisher: 21st Century (March 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0761309683
• ISBN-13: 978-0761309680
• Product Dimensions: 10.3 x 8.3 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,192,609 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Cannibal in the Mirror, May 24, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Cannibal In The Mirror (Library Binding)

... Newbery winning author Paul fleischman has done it again!Hehas created a book that breaks the mold and almost defiesclassification. Cannibal in the Mirror will entice many to take a look. The intriguing title is supported by a cover that includes a sketch of a primitive male with tattoos and body jewelry alongside a photo of a similar looking male from modern day. The comparable format is seen throughout the book. Each two page spread consists of one page which is a selection from anthropological writings and printed on a background that resembles marble, faced by a colorful photograph from our culture that eerily resembles the selected text, some centuries old! Youth, courtship and marriage, family and society, recreation, appearance, beliefs, old age and death are the categories depicted. John Whalen collaborated with Fleischman on this endeavor, his photographs enhance the book with scenes from contemporary culture which include a video arcade, team sports, graffiti, women's mud wrestling, Skinheads, tabloids, and the aged. Fleishcman's love of research and scavenging through the past is evident in the various excerpts he included from anthropological texts. The style of the book is somewhat reminiscent of Fleischman's earlier book Dateline Troy, where newspaper clippings from this century are juxtaposed with selections from his superb retelling of events from the Trojan war. Cannibal in the Mirror will encourage readers to contemplate our modern culture and consider how closely many of our activities liken to bizarre initiation rites, tribal feuds, gluttony, and hedonistic lifestyles of primitive cultures. This book would provoke lively discussions in the Social Studies Classroom. Upper middle school and junior high students will be drawn to the book's simplicity and captivating photographs.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Though provoking presentation for young readers., July 14, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Cannibal In The Mirror (Library Binding)

Quotes from explorers, missionaries and writers blend with modern photos to explore the theme of 'uncivilized' cultures and their presence in American society. Primitive customers are first described by Fleischman, then facing pages provide photos of present-day, mainstream activities. A thought-provoking, if not hard to categorize, presentation.