Customer Reviews

Yuqui: Forest Nomads in a Changing World (Case Studies in Cultural Anthropology)

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As a student of Dr. Stearman's, I've had the pleasure of hearing her lecture on her experience with the Yuqui in person. Her ethnography is the next best thing to a lecture. It provides a balanced, informative description of a relatively little-known indigenous group. All aspects of the culture are well represented, including technology, ritual beliefs, kinship, etc. Sections covering missionary influence among the Yuqui are thoughtprovoking and carefully presented, without bias. The book is a well-written, enjoyable read and is perfect for all students, from those already well-versed in the methods of cultural anthropology to those with little experience in the subject.

I have used the book to teach several courses (applied anthropology, comparative anthropology of social issues: Philadelphia, the USA, the World) and students like the book and get a lot out of it. Its approach to human rights, cultural relativism, material culture, anthropologists' responsibility to the people they study, etc.,brings home the major issues in anthropology today. I highly recommend it.