Conformity and Conflict: Readings in Cultural Anthropology

I have sold most of my textbooks as I graduate from college, but this one is too good. It is basically a book of stories from anthropology that demonstrate with vivid and memorable examples how the techniques employed by modern anthropologists can increase our understanding of how humans think. This one will be staying in my library for sure.

Fabulous price, shipped next day and was delivered within a couple of weeks by USPS.

Present me with the culture, the people, their customs and beliefs; but not your judgment or opinion. This book compiles essays from the books and notebooks of many anthropologists who have studied cultures from all over the world, both past and present. It provides information for the beginning level study of anthropology along with the many essays. But many times, the ethnocentric opinions and judgments of the anthropologists seeped out into their writing.

I've used this collection off and on for years in teaching Introduction to Cultural Anthropology. It's a great book, a real standard in anthropology. Honestly, I think the relevance and quality of the essays varies from edition to edition. I liked the 11th more than the 12th. Sometimes a 'favorite' essay gets replaced; and then in the next edition it is returned. Go figure. I note that sellers of used copies are claiming that the 11th edition is virtually the same as the 12th, that nearly every article is the same. THIS IS NOT TRUE!!!!!!!! I can't tell you how often I have students believe this and buy the 11th edition, then struggle all semester because they don't have the chapters I've assigned. Only someone who has never used the book in class, either as a student or a teacher, would make such an egregiously wrong claim. So, if you're looking for a nice, cheap, used version, make sure that you buy the edition being used in your class. Most teachers will not assign every single chapter in the book; most select 8-12 chapters, and they can well be the chapters that are not in the older edition. Caveat Emptor ...

This text was used in my introductory anthropolgy class, and I thoroughly enjoyed the readings. The text includes many case studies of differing cultures without being overly technical. I found this text easy to read, but very thought provoking. Highly recommended!