Yanomami: The Fierce Controversy and What We Can Learn from It (California Series in Public Anthropology) [Paperback]

Rob Borofsky (Author), Bruce Albert (Author), Raymond Hames (Author), Kim Hill (Author), Lêda Leitão Martins (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 31, 2005 | ISBN-10: 0520244044 | ISBN-13: 978-0520244047 | Edition: 1

Yanomami raises questions central to the field of anthropology--questions concerning the practice of fieldwork, the production of knowledge, and anthropology's intellectual and ethical vision of itself. Using the Yanomami controversy--one of anthropology's most famous and explosive imbroglios--as its starting point, this book draws readers into not only reflecting on but refashioning the very heart and soul of the discipline. It is both the most up-to-date and thorough public discussion of the Yanomami controversy available and an innovative and searching assessment of the current state of anthropology.
The Yanomami controversy came to public attention through the publication of Patrick Tierney's best-selling book, Darkness in El Dorado, in which he accuses James Neel, a prominent geneticist who belonged to the National Academy of Sciences, as well as Napoleon Chagnon, whose introductory text on the Yanomami is perhaps the best-selling anthropological monograph of all time, of serious human rights violations. This book identifies the ethical dilemmas of the controversy and raises deeper, structural questions about the discipline. A portion of the book is devoted to a unique roundtable in which important scholars on different sides of the issues debate back and forth with each other. This format draws readers into deciding, for themselves, where they stand on the controversy's--and many of anthropology's--central concerns.
All of the royalties from this book will be donated to helping the Yanomami improve their healthcare.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"If there is one book that redefines anthropology for the twenty-first century, this is it. It is a ground-breaking study that takes us to the ethical heart of the social sciences. This is an essential book for our times." - Carolyn Nordstrom, University of Notre Dame; "What better way to learn anthropology than through one of its great controversies? Written in a lucid and concise manner, Yanomami is really two books in one: First, it is a riveting, issues-oriented text that is ideal for sparking interest and provoking discussion among introductory students; second it is an invaluable analysis of critical disciplinary questions that every anthropologist and anthropologist-in-the-making need ponder." - Alex Hinton, Rutgers University"

From the Inside Flap

"If there is one book that redefines anthropology for the 21st century, this is it. It is a ground-breaking study that takes us to the ethical heart of the social sciences. Using the Yanomami controversy as a lens for examining anthropology itself, Borofsky asks anthropologists -- from introductory students to advanced scholars -- how we should craft the values that define our work and ourselves. This is an essential book for our times."--Carolyn Nordstrom, University Notre Dame

"What better way to learn anthropology than through one of its great controversies? Written in a lucid and concise manner, Yanomami is really two books in one: First, it is a riveting, issues-oriented text that is ideal for sparking interest and provoking discussion among introductory students; second it is an invaluable analysis of critical disciplinary questions that every anthropologist and anthropologist-in-the-making need ponder."--Alex Hinton, Rutgers University

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 391 pages
• Publisher: University of California Press; 1 edition (January 31, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0520244044
• ISBN-13: 978-0520244047
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #361,836 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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20 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars By far the most important book on the controversy, January 23, 2005

By 

Leslie E. Sponsel (Honolulu, Hawaii) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Yanomami: The Fierce Controversy and What We Can Learn from It (California Series in Public Anthropology) (Paperback)

In 2000 a controversy exploded around numerous, diverse, and very serious allegations about violations of professional ethics and abuses of human rights made in a book by investigative journalist Patrick Tierney, Darkness in El Dorado: How Scientists and Journalists Devastated the Amazon. The present book edited by Dr. Robert Borofsky critically examines the fallout from Tierney's book. This second book is by far the most thorough, penetrating, balanced, and fair assessment of the controversy which is easily the ugliest scandal in the entire history of anthropology. The editor, and all of the six authors who contribute to a series of round table discussions and debates, are to be commended for their constructive approach to this controversy, unlike a few others elsewhere who persist in spreading as smoke screens misinformation, disinformation, and, just plain lies, even in various scientific journals, books, and organizations. Borofsky most perceptively and skillfully provides the broader background, context, implications, and ramifications regarding the controversy, including the AAA Task Force on Darkness in El Dorado and other reactions. Numerous very attractive and meaningful pedagogical devices are included so that the book can be most useful in many different courses on a wide range of topics. As promised on the back cover and elsewhere in the book, "All of the royalties from this book will be donated to helping the Yanomami improve their health care." This is an unprecedented, historic, and revolutionary book which may well contribute to some serious soul searching in anthropology and stimulate some positive transformations in the profession. This book should be read by every instructor and student in anthropology. For more background see http://www.publicanthropology.org.

Dr. Leslie E. Sponsel, Professor, Anthropology, University of Hawai`i