Culture Sketches: Case Studies in Anthropology

by Holly Peters-Golden

Ideal for any cultural anthropology course, this brief collection of ethnographic case studies exposes students to 15 different cultures. The groups selected are peoples whose traditional cultures are uniquely their own. Each has distinctive patterns and practices; each has faced the challenge of an encroaching world, with differing results. Moreover, they often provide the prime illustrations of important concepts in introductory anthropology course including Azande witchcraft, Ju/'hoansi egalitarianism, Trobriand kula exchange, and Minangkabau matriliny. As such, this volume can stand alone as an introduction to central ethnographic concepts through these 15 societies, or serve as a valuable companion to anthropology texts. Many of the peoples presented are involved in the diaspora; some struggle to preserve old ways in new places. All sketches follow a logical, consistent organization that makes it easy for students to understand major themes such as history, subsistence, sociopolitical organization, belief systems, marriage, kinship, and contemporary issues.

Genres: Nonfiction, Anthropology, School

320 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 1993

Reviews

[Garrett · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is actually pretty fascinating, even from a I-didn't-have-to-read-this-for-a-class sort of way. I mean, I DID have to read it for a class, but it was still interesting.

[megan pennington]

the amount of sticky notes i have in this book is insane

[Ellie]

for class

[Glori DeLeon Bermudez · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had to read this for my anthropology class and it was surprisingly really interesting. Peters-Golden does a fantastic job of describing each set of peoples, including their past and present situations. Each chapter is also divided into separate subjects that further describe specific aspects of what the different people do and believe. This book has taught me so much more about the many different traditional groups of people that still exist today. I highly recommend it!

[Leticia · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book takes you through fifteem cultures and exposes you to there geography, myth creation, history, sociopolitical systems, and last but not least their belief systems. Yhis is book is awesome and I greatly suggest you read this if you are curious about other countries and it's people.

[Rebecca]

I spent enough hours combing through the inside of these covers to count it as a book I read. While I never would have read it if I didn't have to, learning about the different cultures was interesting. It was very straight forward and easy to understand.

[River Guru · Rating 1 out of 5]

This was assigned as a textbook for an anthropology course I took. Now, how the author took something interesting & turned it into something so dreadfully boring is beyond me-but they did! Congratulations. It was pure torture to her through this book.

[Casey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Provides a very shallow understanding of the cultures, which could be desired depending on what this class is being used for. Dig deeper if you're particularly interested in one.

[Naomi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed learning about all the different cultures. Places in the world I want to see have increased, and hope that these cultures can find ways to maintain their uniqueness in the world.

[Natalie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Soooo interesting! I love these case studies.

[Rasheta · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a textbook for class, but I quite enjoyed it.

[Kate · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was kind of a boring book. It was cool, but slow. I loved learning about the different cultures and traditions of each civilization.

[Abby Shoetoe · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is great for someone interested in cultures. There are in depth reviews of the cultures.

[Viviana Nunez · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn’t finish the chapter on the Romani or the Trobriand Islanders or ch. 2 the Aztecs BUT IM STILL COUNTING IT 😭😭leave me alone I just wanna say I’ve accomplished SOMETHING.
3.5 stars