Cultural Anthropology: The Human Challenge (Paperback)

~ (Author), (Author), Dana Walrath (Author), (Author)
Key Phrases: audio lecture, global challenges, doing ethnography, Thomson Learning, All Rights Reserved, United States (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review

"The writing style…is extremely student friendly and accessible. It is actually enjoyable to read, which is rather rare for textbooks. It is completely attuned to the needs of an undergraduate student population."

"The greatest strength of CULTURAL ANTHROPOLOGY: THE HUMAN CHALLENGE is its success in addressing complex concepts in a manner that is memorable and easy to comprehend. Another strength is in the choice of examples; most all of them engage the reader and elicit furthering investigation. Finally, the book’s photographs and other images provide a visual element that reinforces significant issues in anthropology."

The authors do a good job of providing "interesting specific examples and ethnographic accounts to give the chapter context and help illustrate sometimes abstract information…"

Product Description

Explore the most fascinating, creative, dangerous, and complex species alive today: you and your neighbors in the global village. With compelling photos, engaging examples, and select studies by anthropologists in far-flung places, the authors of CULTURAL ANTHROPOLOGY: The Human Challenge provide a holistic view of anthropology to help you make sense of today's world. With this text you will discover the different ways humans face the challenge of existence, the connection between biology and culture in the shaping of human beliefs and behavior, and the impact of globalization on peoples and cultures around the world.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 456 pages
• Publisher: Wadsworth Publishing; 12 edition (April 9, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0495095613
• ISBN-13: 978-0495095613
• Product Dimensions: 10.8 x 8.4 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #42,232 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars anthropology instructor recommends, September 5, 2008

By	Tess of the twins plus one "anthropology mom" (SF bay area) - See all my reviews

I use this book in my cultural anthropology courses in part because it does what is expected: cover the major divisions of what an introductory class should expose students. However, the plus to me is that the last couple of chapters cover culture contact and change based on a dominant culture coming in contact with smaller groups and also covers "globalization" which is directly relevant to the lives of my students. So at the end of our term we can switch a bit from abstract academic discussions to issues happening the in the world today. We examine concepts like "modernization" and whether the western dominant perspective that this is always good (for everyone) is true and we look at global issues that affect our species, nation, security, and subsistence from a diverse perspective. Adding Annual Editions brings the text to life, as well.

4.0 out of 5 stars Very good text!, November 13, 2009

By	Emily Rosa (Denver, CO USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Amazon Verified Purchase

Had this text for a cultural anth class and I really enjoyed reading it. I recommend it to other anth instructors!

3.0 out of 5 stars Not quite 2 day delivery..., September 27, 2009

By	D. Christie "time off OE" (TX) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Amazon Verified Purchase

A treat to purchase a new book, normally choose to get used. Paid for upgraded shipping (2 day) and didn't see it for almost 5 days. Good thing the prof had some other related readings in the library for the class members to use while waiting for ordered books! Didn't fall too far behind in readings while item was in transit.