Mirror for Humanity: A Concise Introduction to Cultural Anthropology, with PowerWeb [Paperback]

Conrad Phillip Kottak (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 29, 2005 | ISBN-10: 0073258946 | ISBN-13: 978-0073258942 | Edition: 5

Written by a prominent scholar in the field, this concise, up-to-date introduction to cultural anthropology carefully balances coverage of core topics with contemporary changes in the field. Since no single or monolithic theoretical perspective orients this book, instructors with a wide range of views and approaches can use it effectively. The combination of brevity and readability make Mirror for Humanity a perfect match for cultural anthropology courses that use readings or ethnographies along with a main text.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Conrad Phillip Kottak (A.B. Columbia, 1963; Ph.D. Columbia, 1966) is Professor and Chair of Anthropology at the University of Michigan, where he has taught since 1968. In 1991 he was honored for his teaching by the University and the state of Michigan. In 1992 he received an excellence in teaching award from the College of Literature, Sciences, and the Arts of the University of Michigan. In 1999 the America Anthropological Association awarded Professor Kottak the AAA/Mayfield Award for Excellence in the Undergraduate Teaching of Anthropology.

Professor Kottak has done fieldwork in cultural anthropology in Brazil (since 1962), Madagascar (since 1966), and the United States. Conrad Kottak's articles have appeared in academic journals including American Anthropologist, Journal of Anthropological Research, American Ethnologist, Ethnology, Human Organization, and Luso-Brazilian Review. He has also written for more popular journals, including Transaction/SOCIETY, Natural History, Psychology Today, and General Anthropology.

In current research projects, Kottak and his colleagues have investigated the emergence of ecological awareness in Brazil, the social context of deforestation in Madagascar, and popular participation in economic development planning in northeastern Brazil.

Product Details

• Paperback: 285 pages
• Publisher: McGraw-Hill Humanities/Social Sciences/Languages; 5 edition (December 29, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0073258946
• ISBN-13: 978-0073258942
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6.4 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #626,864 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Not intimidating to new cultural anthropology students, March 30, 2000

By 

john lary (Minneapolis) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mirror for Humanity: A Concise Introduction to Cultural Anthropology (Paperback)

There is little wasted space in this book. It is to the point. This brevity for me was ideal, but for some readers, perhaps they need more examples. For use in a classroom setting, this is an especially useful work if used in conjunction with a readings from cultural anthropology text such as "Conformity and Conflict." The two complement each other very well. More specifically, I found the latter part of MFH especially interesting-- the chapters dealing with gender, the world system, and stratification. MFH should not only appeal to those within the field of cultural anthropology but also should draw the attention of students working within the sister disciplines of history and sociology.

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Like Reading for Fun!, June 21, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Mirror for Humanity: A Concise Introduction to Cultural Anthropology (Paperback)

Learning cultural anthropology through this book is a joy ride. When I was reading, it actually felt like I was reading a New York Times Bestseller! This book captures you attention and it is never boring. I had to read this book for my intro to anthropology class and you can only imagine how fun studying for this class was. I've learned so much from it and I would read it again when I have the time!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Inconsistent, December 26, 2011

By 

wazwolf - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mirror for Humanity: A Concise Introduction to Cultural Anthropology (Paperback)

Amazon lumps ALL editions of this book into 1 mass review. BEWARE purchasing with Amazon the wrong edition, because when you click the correct edition and go to choose the price options, the editions switch out from under you. I suggest elsewhere.