Yanomamo: The Fierce People (Case Studies in Cultural Anthropology) [Paperback]

Napoleon A. Chagnon (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0030328195 | ISBN-13: 978-0030328190 | Publication Date: April 1992 | Edition: 4th

The Y?nomamö of Venezuela and Brazil are a truly remarkable people, and one of the few sovereign tribal societies left on earth. This classic ethnography, based on the author's extensive fieldwork, includes a brief discussion of events and changes that have occurred since 1996. The Legacy 6th Edition of The Y?nomamö also includes a Q&A interview with the author, which reveals his own perspective on his life's work, reflects changes within the field of anthropology itself, and presents the author's views on the recent decade of controversies that his work has inspired among critics (including some anthropologists).

--This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 266 pages
• Publisher: Harcourt School; 4th edition (April 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0030328195
• ISBN-13: 978-0030328190
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.4 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #459,769 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Classic., August 6, 1997

By A Customer

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This review is from: Yanomamo: The Fierce People (Case Studies in Cultural Anthropology) (Paperback)

This book has been criticized heavily for its emphasis on violence and warfare, and in fact there are many things in Chagnon's ethnography which could be debated--however, above all, this is a very readable, very well written book which does provide a lot of useful information. I read it as a student in the mid-70's and again last year before I went to work with the Yanomami in Brazil, and it was quite useful. I think it should be the first book on the Yanomami that any novice reads--the other books, attacking Chagnon, won't mean much otherwise

22 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Another world is revealed..., April 10, 2001

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LinGrad (Oregon USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Yanomamo - Yanomamö (Case Studies in Cultural Anthropology) (Paperback)

I am a graduating student of Linfield College in McMinnville, Oregon who was assigned to read this book for a Cultural Anthropology class. Much to my surprise, this book has become a real page-turner!

I never thought I'd have a hard time putting down a textbook. Chagnon's insightful, and more importantly, personalized account of his experiences living among an Amazonian tribe is riveting. He is graphic and provides the kind of realistic detail that is rarely encountered in a textbook - at least none that I've come across so far. He pulls no punches, either in his descriptions of the cultural mores of the Yanomamo, or relating his own struggles and disagreements with his anthropological colleagues.

I heartily recommend this book to anyone who is interested in learning about other cultures, and what motivates humans to behave as they do. This is not just a book for college students or those working in the Anthropology field. I am a Business Management major, but I find the insights this book gives on the human condition to be invaluable. It is always important to be able to see the world through other people's eyes, and Napoleon Chagnon makes that possible through this book.

What better recommendation can I give, but that I will definitely not be selling this book back to my college bookstore, but rather adding it to my personal library!

26 of 37 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars How do the Yanamamo see Chagnon?, March 23, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Yanomamo - Yanomamö (Case Studies in Cultural Anthropology) (Paperback)

Chagnon's book is one of the most widely read ethnographies of tribal and animistic people. In it you read how Chagnon sees the Yanamamo. If you want to read how the Yanamamo see Chagnon and other 'nabas' read "Spirit of the Rainforest" by Ritchie. It is written from the perspective of a Yanamamo shaman. You will discover things not covered in Chagnon's work.