We, The Alien is a genuine attempt by the author to do something different with the presentation of cultural anthropology. It is devoted to the idea that cultural anthropology an important topic for all individuals to explore because it provides a means for people to gain new insights about themselves and to stretch their imaginations. The book’s approachable, humanistic discussions offer different points of view. Readers can examine their own and other cultures from the outside looking in. The goal of the book is to promote ethnographic insight. The author, a widely respected senior anthropologist whose earlier books established the standards of relevance, readability, and professional concern, introduces all the primary subfields of anthropology as well as areas of specialization with a quiet tone of authority that is both personal and inspiring. (Not-for-sale instructor resource material available to college and university faculty only; contact the publisher directly.)
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Titles of related interest from Waveland Press: Dettwyler, Cultural Anthropology and Human Experience: The Feast of Life (ISBN 9781577666813); and van der Elst, Culture as Given, Culture as Choice, Second Edition (ISBN 9781577662693).
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Cultural Anthro. textbook, good scope, well written.,
By hawilson@ix.netcom.com (California, USA) - See all my reviews
This review is from: We, the Alien: An Introduction to Cultural Anthropology (Paperback)
This book was the main text for a cultural anthro correspondence course I took through the University of California, Berkeley in 1997-1998.The book is about 350 pages, 8x11 format, black and white, no color. I would rate the typography and lay-out as average to somewhat below average. Graphics are simple block diagrams. Text is dense but easy on the eyes. The book is organized around the following broad topics: people, kinship, power, meaning, context, and has 15 chapters. I enjoyed reading the book. Bohannan has a conversational, clear writing style that keeps the book from being dry and scholastic. The scope of the book is excellent. He covers a wide variety of topics very thoroughly, The book is punctuated with side-bars titled "We the Alien". They contain examples of parts of our own culture that illustrate the topics in the book--and do it in a very surprising way. His goal in writing the book is to use other cultures to make us much more aware of our own. He accomplishes this very well. Lots of thought-provoking material.
3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
a fresh perspective,
By
This review is from: We, the Alien: An Introduction to Cultural Anthropology (Paperback)
I teach cultural anthropology to undergraduates. I have seen a lot of textbooks on this subject. Bohannan's text is different from all the others. In my opinion, the difference lies in the intent behind the writing. All the other authors intend to tell students about what anthropologists do and what anthropologists have learned. Bohannan intends to present questions and observations for students to ponder. The others present findings. His book presents the possibility for insight and personal growth - something everyone needs, regardless of whether they want to "be" an anthropologist. I would recommend this book not only to students of anthropology, but also to anyone who wants to explore what it means and can mean to be human.
1.0 out of 5 stars
Horrendous and Outdated,
This review is from: We, the Alien: An Introduction to Cultural Anthropology (Paperback)
This book is the most outdated piece of garbage out there. I was forced to purchase it for an Anthropology course at UMASS Boston, and has verified that education in this country is a joke. Written in 1992, about 18 years ago. A lot has happened since 1992, like I'm not 9 anymore and I'm 27. How could this book even be sold still.
There are racist, homophobic overtones, nothing is relevant, it is written from an ethnocentric view. Seriously do not buy this pointless waste of money, waste of time, useless, outdated, irrelevant book. If you have to, rent it and return it asap as to get it out of your possession so you won't become dumber, or at least so you don't fool yourself into thinking it is 1992 again.
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Inside This Book
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Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs):
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bicentric mode, jural descent, uterine kinfolk, unicentric mode, culture crest, segmental opposition, visionary anthropology, factory industrialism, culture pool, share descent, other kinfolk, social traps, lineal kin, action chain, practicing anthropology, sororal polygyny, affecting presence, patrilineal groups Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
United States, New York, Third World, New Guinea, Native Americans, South America, Soviet Union, World War, North America, Trobriand Islands, Industrial Revolution, Deng Majok, Prospect Heights, Waveland Press, West Africa, Words Pertaining, Latin America, Theravada Buddhism, Born Equal, First World, Tribal Council, American English, American South, Bronislaw Malinowski, Change Your Life Martha New!
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Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
bicentric mode, jural descent, uterine kinfolk, unicentric mode, culture crest, segmental opposition, visionary anthropology, factory industrialism, culture pool, share descent, other kinfolk, social traps, lineal kin, action chain, practicing anthropology, sororal polygyny, affecting presence, patrilineal groups Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
United States, New York, Third World, New Guinea, Native Americans, South America, Soviet Union, World War, North America, Trobriand Islands, Industrial Revolution, Deng Majok, Prospect Heights, Waveland Press, West Africa, Words Pertaining, Latin America, Theravada Buddhism, Born Equal, First World, Tribal Council, American English, American South, Bronislaw Malinowski, Change Your Life Martha New!
Concordance | Text Stats Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
Citations (learn more)
4
books
cite this book:
- Basic Principles of Property Law: A Comparative Legal and Economic Introduction (Contributions in Legal Studies) by Ugo Mattei on page 22
- Blacked Out: Dilemmas of Race, Identity, and Success at Capital High by Signithia Fordham in Back Matter
- Blacked Out: Dilemmas of Race, Identity, and Success at Capital High by Signithia Fordham in Back Matter
- Introducing Anthropology by Merryl Wyn Davies in Back Matter
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