Customer Reviews

Cultural Anthropology: The Human Challenge (with CD-ROM and InfoTrac)

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(7)

 

 

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.

Here is what one of my very good students said about the book, "I found it to be well-organized, thorough, and easy to understand. I have never taken a class in this subject before, so I have nothing to compare it to, but as far as I can tell it is a useful text. I had one other cultural anthropology class this term and I was able to use the textbook from your class as a reference from time to time. I chose anthropology as my minor, and so for further reference purposes I have kept the text from your class."

Students who have strong political views (right or left) will say this book is "biased" since it does not claim that Western civilization, Christianity, or American culture are superior or inferior to other cultures. The book, for example, teaches that ethnocentrism, racism, economic exploitation, colonialism, and polluting the environment are generally not good things-- but these evils are not new to the world or authored by any one particular culture. Those who don't like the idea of multiculturalism will not like the book.

I wouldn't have normally purchased this book if it wasn't for a course requirement. From chapter one all the way to the end, the authors take the reader or student through a detailed interface of what life is like experienced in other cultures. It touches upon the four different career interests in cultural anthropology as well. A time consuming read, but loaded with useful information for in and out of the class room.

This book is straightforward and easy to understand. Chapters are organized and vocabulary and main topics are summarized at the end of the book; sometimes I'd just read these parts and I would understand the entire chapter.

My school bookstore wanted $95 for this text but I was able to get it for $5 here. Upon receipt (which was sooner than expected) I did a quick inspection and found the quality to be more than adequate as the book had the original, unopened discs. I couldn't be happier.

for a text book, this book is ok. It's a bit dry.. and for some unknown reason the words.. "that being said" are in the front of a lot of sentences.. The cd has links to a lot of web sites and what not, I thought it would be more "live" action but it's mostly websites.. book is understandable and basicaly an easy read. There is a very lefty spin on the book. The portrayal of industrialization as evil..and all these "traditional cultures" as the only "good" way to live despite their wars and what not, that's seen as "ok" or conflict resolution, apparently if you go to war nude, it's better than if you're wearing army fatigues..

This text was required reading for my anthropology course and although I was looking forward to learning about the subject matter, I felt that Haviland wrote in a way that made it much less enjoyable than it should have been. Often repetitive, always with his own biased version and even his terminology (using such phrases as *something like* when using descriptives)were not what I expected from someone of his caliber. To make matters worse, the *Original Study* segments which were some of the most interesting parts of the book were printed on a green background with the print lightened so that it was barely readable...what were the publishers thinking? I was greatly disappointed.

I did get a used book for a class. It is a great buy, I would've paid $148 for a new one at school, but I asked the teacher and he said this older edition would be fine, so I saved myself a ton of money. The book is in good condition, too.

This is among the most frustratingly uninteresting textbooks I've ever read. Every chapter takes the same dull, sensationalistic view of its subject, citing a limitless number of redundant examples of life in lesser-known cultures while condemning every aspect of modern, industrial cultures. Each unit restates the same cliches ad nauseam, and reading this material does nothing to enhance one's appreciation for humanity or for science. It is a terrible and tiresome introduction to anthropology.

I tried to read and like this book; I really did. But after about 1/3 I refused to go on. Nothing truly worthy while is in this book, the writers do nothing but praise anthropology without telling you more about it, and all information is from a naturalistic, relativism, and liberal stand point. Anthropology hinges on the stance taken, and I think these writers would discover much by opening their minds.

Just as with Haviland, et al - Anthropology: The Human Challenge (with CD-ROM and InfoTrac®), there is to much opinion and to little good science.
Certainly a lot of information, but when flavored with such a bias against "Western Civilization" it is 528 pages to be avoided not required reading in an introductory Cultural Antro. course. I hate to use monikers, but this is liberal junk, not a good introduction to the subject of Cultural Antrhopology. One should introduce a science and its methodology to students, not ones personal opinions and possible agendas.