Customer Reviews

Culture Sketches: Case Studies in Anthropology

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Peters-Golden's Culture Sketches is a must have for any student of anthropology or anyone interested in the basics of anthropology. Each chapter reviews and details a particular culture/society and explains the particular culture in an academic and laymans way. In other terms, the book is easy to understand even if you do not know a thing about anthropology and it provides useful information for students and academics alike about 13 societies that exist or have existed on this planet. These are not detailed ethnographies, i.e. they do not explain every thing about the society. Peters-Golden gives a taste of each society and encourages to further explore the societies that interest the reader. If you are a student looking for an insight on what anthropologists study (such as economic systems, religion, rituals, beliefs in magic and mystics, marriage rites, rites of passage, etc) or anyone else who is curious about the other societies on this planet, this book is for you.

Book is split into small chapters with maps and photos. Very clear and to the point on each culture, pointing out the unique characteristics of each. Includes very interesting facts, especially about certain groups. Informative and educational while being easy to read, so I gave it 5 stars.

Very interesting if you are like learning about the world's cultures. Tons of information and very understandable. Definitely recommend for the higher education seeker. :)

I had to purchase this book for my cultural Anthropology course. Its not a bad book, in fact, it is actually quite enjoyable. Its definitely not one of those boring textbooks that choose to regurgitate facts. The organization of which the information is given about different cultures is very intuitive and great for anybody looking to learn a couple tidbits about our world and the cultures that live within it.

great seller - had an amazing experience and the product was in the conditions described or better. Very satisfied with the prompt delivery and quality of the product.

Thank you,

Books like this are a good start to appreciating human diversity, which goes way beyond what we imagine possible, in our Newtonian/Cartesian world view. I do so love Anthropology. If you want to go further with diversity of what is possible, even just in America, other books, Urban Shaman, The Future Is Yours: Do Something About It!, Lost Secrets of Ancient Hawaiian Huna, Volume 1, ThetaHealing can be helpful; all are written by Americans, in a distinctly nonacademic way. Grandfather is an intro to a different kind of world, as isWhispers of the ncients: Native Tales for Teaching and Healing in Our Time, and House of Shattering Light: Life as an American Indian Mystic, or Journey to the Ancestral Self: The Native Lifeway Guide to Living in Harmony With Earth Mother, Book 1 (Bk.1). Way of the Peaceful Warrior: A Book That Changes Lives is a very superficial discussion of what indigenous spiritual apprenticeship could be. Wong Kiew Kit's books show some unusual survivals of nonwestern ideas in Chinese culture. My Tai Chi teacher was trained by Cheng Man-Ching, and he was really, really good. Joseph Murphy The Power of Your Subconscious Mind gives some idea of just how diverse even just America can be. This book is a good start, like a tourist guide to human diversity.

I had to buy this book for my anthropology class..... I really liked the book. It wasn't a difficult read, but gave the information in an easy to read yet fun way.

Interesting, factual and to the point. Gives an overview of different cultures from beliefs of creation to rituals and traditions. Easy reading and concise. I learned alot without having to read overly worded chapters.

The price for the book was very far and was delivered in the time allotment.

This was "required" reading for my college course in Anthropology. It is well laid out, informative, and interesting if you have a real desire to learn about diverse cultures. As always, Amazon's delivery was quick and efficient.