Social and Cultural Anthropology: A Very Short Introduction (Very Short Introductions)

Monaghan's work with the Mixtec of Central America and Just's work with the Dou Donggo of Indonesia are used as sources for the anecdotal details that are used throughout the book to illustrate aspects of anthropology. This is very much a description of anthropology as a practical endeavour, a hands-on discipline whose theories are firmly grounded in the everyday lives of human beings.

Broader theoretical contexts, such as are found in Marxism or Structuralism, are touched on but no more. Those are the things you go on to read about after your appetite has been whetted by an excellent introduction such as this.


Nearly does what it intends   October 9, 2002
 7 out of 7 found this review helpful

I am not an anthropologist, but this book admirably delivers a real sense of the diversity of human culture in today's world. The history (or histories) of anthropology becomes the grounding for the scholarly elucidation of key issues, which are illustrated by some memorable anecdotes. Perhaps its obvious albeit minor failing to the non-specialist is the way it simply comes down on the side of cultural relativism (as against internationalism in human rights), minus any substantial debate or sense of whether this is the prevailing view within anthropology.


A reasonably accessible introduction to anthropology   September 27, 2001
 10 out of 15 found this review helpful

This 'very short' 150 page introduction provides a reasonably accessible entry into the world of anthropology.

The discussion is inevitably fairly abstract, considering a subject matter as diverse as religion, society, and identity, for example, but the authors attempt to bring the book to life through examples drawn from their experiences. This device is admirable and largely effective, although their experience is necessarily limited to a small number of communities; the book would have benefitted from a more wide-ranging portfolio of examples.

Nevertheless, the book is largely successful in its purpose and is likely to prove useful to those already drawn to the subject. For those with no more than a passing interest, the book is too academic. It is not as accessible or entertaining as some contributions in other scientific fields, such as Dawkins' 'Selfish Gene' or Fortey's 'Trilobite !'.