Customer Reviews

Cultural Anthropology

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

 

 

This is a perfectly fine cultural anthropology textbook. It is well-organized and reasonably well-written

The problem with this book as that that it is extremely overpriced. The issue is that editions 9E, 8E, 7E,... are equally good. They publish a new edition with an inflated price ($150) every year and the differences in editions are negligible, The publisher and the authors (Nanda and Warms) should be ashamed of themselves.

Nanda's text, like her others, is relevant, accessible, and a perfect part of an introduction to Anthropology course. I only wish publishers could figure out a way to make these more affordable for students.

This one stands out for its clarity and lack of too much of a materialist or idealist bias, which is where other intro texts have become annoying to me. I'm trying it for my next class because 3 of my colleagues have already recommended it.

I got my book within the prescribed time frame. The book itself has pretty good content and it a pretty interesting read. Quality wise I got what i paid for, It was good and lasted nicely through my course.

this is a college textbook so it is a very dry reading. i think the points that are raised by the book are very intresting, insightful, and debatable. the price was the best i had seen with a relyable seller and beats my college books store by over $70 (my book store $185 amazon $113). if your a student taking the course or just someone intrested in learning i think that buying from amazon would be your best purchas. but if you are looking for pleasure reading i would suggest a diffrent book. i take my book to class it has not been damaged so far and i havve had it for a month and a half, this book is durable for my needs although i do treat my book with mild care.

"Cultural Anthropology,...innovative in form and content, and focused on both traditional and emerging topics...,. Cultural Anthropology occupies an important niche in what can be thought of as the ecology of anthropological publications,"
'Vision Statement'




Covered Issues:
The main issues covered by this introductory textbook, are arranged in a systematic approach to the subject, starts with Human diversity as a key in the book plan to introduce the subject. The idea of culture, language, and absorbing culture turn to socio-economics of living. Economic behavior, marriage, family, and gender, discusses social classification, and ranking, concludes in power and control. Cultural identities are surveyed within religion, ritual and the arts. The last main chapter of the book concludes with Cultural change.

Cultural anthropology:
Cultural anthropology is one of four fields of the holistic study of humanity. It is the branch of anthropology that has developed and promoted folkloric culture as a reflective analytical and formative concept. It is the branch of anthropology that considers cultural variation between humans. Cultural Anthropology continues to provide a forum for active observation of varied, anthropological frameworks with meaningful projections, with critical theories of race, sex, class, feminism, and post-colonialism continues to look for new perspective.

Cultural Change:
All cultures are dynamic, no culture was, has been, or is static. All cultures change throughout time and space, but most of them are conservative in that their tendencies to resist change. Since Alexander the great started a global Hellenization especially around the Mediterranean, this was encountered by resistance like in Judea. Some still resist more than others by like non tolerance in dressing or eating habits or education, especially between religion motivated societies. Enacting laws for the preservation and protection of traditional cultural patterns, by limiting national language to one or two, while putting up barriers to alien ideas and things, even reaction to illegal immigration as clear from recent reactions in France, Europe in general, and the USA.

Conclusion:
How did anthropology contribute to solving human problems?, and what is the role of anthropologists in public policy wrt legislation and enforcement could very well be portrayed in the Global warming debate, and Kyoto agreement, ethnic cleansing in the Balkans and Africa. Those vital issues raise legitimate concerns expressed on behalf of Cultural Anthropologists.

I can't figure out to which article the previous review is referring. It's a little ridiculous and useless to make such an accusation of bias without mentioning what specific article it is that is so grossly biased and derogatory. I would like to know. I myself alwys prefer Nanda and Warms' text for my class. I've reviewed many many texts and just like their format and content the best. It is clear, well organized, and yes, less materialist oriented. Also the content is much better than most other texts, particularly on the subjects of Gender and Religion.

purchased for my daughters college course, we purchase from amazon because of the price being cheaper than the school bookstore.

This textbook is enriching and it introduces cross cultural studies, which I believe everybody should be familiar with. Cultural anthropology is both interesting and informative, therefore I recommend this textbook

the book was in good condition although it wasnt described as having pages that were highlighted and there were.There also was a problem with delivery, I paid extra for faster delivery and did not receive the book till 2 days after the promise delivery date when I inquired about it I was told sorry thats never happened and not even an offer to reimburse me for the extra shipping charges I paid. Very disappointing.Im not sure I would trust this seller again.My daughter needed this book for school and had to go without.