Mirror for Humanity: A Concise Introduction to Cultural Anthropology (Hardcover)

~ (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Like other Overture Books, "Mirror for Humanity" is designed to provide a concise, relatively low-cost introduction to cultural anthropology. Derived from his bestselling "Cultural Anthropology", 6/E, Kottak has condensed and updated 19 chapters into 14, with conceptual and textual reorganization. The organization is intended to cover core and basics, while also illustrating prominent current issues. Reflecting the world itself, anthropology seems to change at an increasing pace. "Mirror for Humanity" provides a fully-up-to-date, affordable alternative. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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. Professor Kottak has done fieldwork in cultural anthropology in Brazil (since 1962), Madagascar (since 1966), and the United States. 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. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 327 pages
• Publisher: McGraw-Hill College; 3rd edition (May 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0072414871
• ISBN-13: 978-0072414875
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #980,256 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 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.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

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

By A Customer

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!

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars surprisingly terrible!, June 19, 2007

By	L. Irwin (Canada) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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

Well, this is just to say that I was surprised by how boring (and seemingly uninformative) this book is! The title really grabbed my attention and I love anthropology (especially cultural anthropology). However, for whatever reason, it just didn't do anything for me. In fact, it did LESS than anything for me! (there's another fifty dollars forever gone)...