Anthropology: A Brief Introduction

I love Anthropology..but I think that they could have done a better job with this book..I guess it is good for starters..Anyhow the book was in good condition.

This book provides helpful insights into the four fields of anthropology: physical, socio-cultural, linguistic, and archaeology. The book begins with a look at the development of Homo sapiens and how H. sapiens has come to populate the world. The book then delves into the topics of political structures, religion, psychology, economics, linguistics, etc. One of the most intriguing aspects of this book is that it discusses the many specialties within anthropology, including forensic anthropology, medical anthropology, and paleoanthropology. I highly recommend this book to those who wish to gain an understanding of the many fields of anthropology. Whether you are reading this book for leisure or as a student, you should find this to be and enjoyable and informative text.

The writing will put out fires, and a lot of the "discussion" is insulting to a thinking person's intelligence, but that's the norm for textbooks, is it not? The information is reliable as far as I know; generally it's very basic. Controversial claims are either carefully explained or carefully avoided. I learned a lot about anthropology while reading this. Well, and that's what a textbook's supposed to do. Specifically, the book covers things like "the scope of anthropology," archaeology, very basic linguistics, food collection and production, economic systems, social stratification, gender, marriage and the family, kinship, political life, religion and magic, medical anthropology, and a discussion of possibilities for reducing violence and war. (It ends with, "There may be difficulties on the road to solutions, but we can overcome them if we want to. So let's go for it!") Notice that a fifth edition has come out. I read the fourth edition, but you will probably want to read the fifth. The Embers have written some other textbooks on anthropology that you might check out as well.

This was an excellent introduction to the world of anthropology, with an attempt to remain culturally-fair with all topics touched upon, including its example of Christianity being "not perfect" by pointing out some of the problems introduced as a result of adopting Chrisitianity over another religious following. It prepared the reader for further studies in anthropology quite well, although (probably since I have already read more in-depth books in the field) it left me somewhat bored with the basic level of writing used. Would highly recommend this book for anyone wishing to be introduced to the very fascinating and diverse field of anthropology!!!