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TRIBE: ADVENTURES IN A CHANGING WORLD
Over several years, Parry spent a month living with each of 15 different tribes in remote regions of the world. The result is an insight into wildly differing cultures that are vibrant, hospitable and full of spirit despite numerous hardships.
320 pages, Hardcover
First published September 20, 2007
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Bruce Parry
15 books7 followersExplorer Bruce Parry is well-known for his seminal BBC2 TV series Tribe and Amazon.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
August 27, 2020
In 2005, 2006 and 2007 Bruce Parry presented the three seasons of the BBC documentary series Tribe. The short version is that he spent a period of time (around 3 weeks) with an indigenous tribe, immersed in the way they live now. This was an important definition - they didn't want to to show a traditional way the tribes used to live, but how they live now, which parts of their traditions they maintain, how they have altered over time, and what modern attributes they have adopted in their lives.
Bruce is an ex- Royal Marine, pretty adept at the physical side of things - living traditionally without the creature comforts the crew had - tents, food, booze, surviving on the food the tribes eat, and keeping up with their physical activities. What was more interesting, of course, was how he could begin to understand their culture and how they interact with their surroundings - something the indigenous people do much better than us modern vandals.
Series 1 was diverse in that they visited Gabon, India, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Mongolia and Venezuela.
They were picked up for series 2, but with a restriction on cost and therefore travel, so this series was filmed entirely in Ethiopia - with three different tribes. In series 3 they again hit the road visiting Brazil, the Solomon Islands, Russian Siberia, Bhutan, Tanzania and Sarawak (in Malaysian Borneo).
For me I read around about a chapter a day, ie one of the fifteen episodes a day. I have seen some of the tv series - probably around half, but it was probably over 10 years ago. I have some simple recollections of them, but not the specifics. I am not sure how the series would differ from the book, but I get the impression Parry is sharing more of his own thoughts in the book than on the tv series. He certainly shared more about the back of house operations, a lot about the crew and the mechanics of filming the series. Parry is pretty modest, shares the things he did that made him cringe, shared his illnesses, and how he honestly felt during his experiences. He also shares his occasional moments of clarity where something makes a genuine impact on him.
I really enjoyed reading this, it really exceeded my expectations, having picked it up for a dollar, I thought I might read a couple of the chapters about places I have been, then just move on from it quietly.
Other reviewers have said it lacks substance, and isn't real anthropology. I disagree with the first and while the second it true, I wouldn't have expected it to be a textbook, so wasn't disillusioned by that. The BBC logically, would consider it primarily an entertainment, and secondarily a way share the plight of the indigenous people who have so much less say in their own way of life than they have ever had. Parry points out the obvious fact that the indigenous people are far more in touch with ecology and the ecosystem than our industrialised nations, and they live far more lightly on the planet. They should be supported in their way of life and converted to a modern way if that is not their desire. Clearly a tightrope walk of complexity.
Easy reading, enjoyable and hard not to like Parry all the way through.
4 stars.
Bruce is an ex- Royal Marine, pretty adept at the physical side of things - living traditionally without the creature comforts the crew had - tents, food, booze, surviving on the food the tribes eat, and keeping up with their physical activities. What was more interesting, of course, was how he could begin to understand their culture and how they interact with their surroundings - something the indigenous people do much better than us modern vandals.
Series 1 was diverse in that they visited Gabon, India, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Mongolia and Venezuela.
They were picked up for series 2, but with a restriction on cost and therefore travel, so this series was filmed entirely in Ethiopia - with three different tribes. In series 3 they again hit the road visiting Brazil, the Solomon Islands, Russian Siberia, Bhutan, Tanzania and Sarawak (in Malaysian Borneo).
For me I read around about a chapter a day, ie one of the fifteen episodes a day. I have seen some of the tv series - probably around half, but it was probably over 10 years ago. I have some simple recollections of them, but not the specifics. I am not sure how the series would differ from the book, but I get the impression Parry is sharing more of his own thoughts in the book than on the tv series. He certainly shared more about the back of house operations, a lot about the crew and the mechanics of filming the series. Parry is pretty modest, shares the things he did that made him cringe, shared his illnesses, and how he honestly felt during his experiences. He also shares his occasional moments of clarity where something makes a genuine impact on him.
I really enjoyed reading this, it really exceeded my expectations, having picked it up for a dollar, I thought I might read a couple of the chapters about places I have been, then just move on from it quietly.
Other reviewers have said it lacks substance, and isn't real anthropology. I disagree with the first and while the second it true, I wouldn't have expected it to be a textbook, so wasn't disillusioned by that. The BBC logically, would consider it primarily an entertainment, and secondarily a way share the plight of the indigenous people who have so much less say in their own way of life than they have ever had. Parry points out the obvious fact that the indigenous people are far more in touch with ecology and the ecosystem than our industrialised nations, and they live far more lightly on the planet. They should be supported in their way of life and converted to a modern way if that is not their desire. Clearly a tightrope walk of complexity.
Easy reading, enjoyable and hard not to like Parry all the way through.
4 stars.
June 30, 2020
This book would be a logical read to anyone who has watched the BBC series Tribe hosted by Bruce Parry. It landed in my hand in the most unexpected way and never having seen the series, the book was a brand-new piece of art. One look at the blurb and the glistening pictures within turned it to my currently reading list.
One man and his stay with fifteen tribes around the world spanning four years. Bruce Parry is a host to this show where he goes and spends time with an indigenous group for a month or so. The aim of the show is to understand cultures that are different from ours by having Bruce live with them, eat with them, sleep on the same mats and drink their sometimes sweet sometimes sour delicacies. There is a lot of research and field work involved before Bruce can actually go there. The team normally includes is a local fixer, some translators, a director, a cameraman, and a researcher, and the host- Bruce. The films show the audience what actually goes on in the day to day lives of these tribal people who are massively misunderstood or ignored by the developed world. That bits and pieces of the modern world have reached them. The idea was really good and the series was a huge hit with the audience. This book is narrated by Bruce about his experiences as he lived with them. He speaks about his expectations, his apprehensions, the hiccups they faced in filming, the surprises, the relations he forms while understanding people who live differently than most of us but who are fundamentally like us. Humans.
The book was a hit for me. It is rich with information and anecdotes. You meet several people in this book, some from the cold, white, reindeer filled Russia, some from the lush Amazon, several from the deserts of Ethiopia, some from the mighty Himalayas, some from the paradise like Solomon islands. It is said that reading is like travelling without moving from your place. Well, this book takes you around the world, to the most beautiful of places, places you didn’t even know existed. Yes, these people live very differently, disconnected from our modern technology and civilization, but not to an extent that we always imagine. They have their own culture, their own beliefs, and way of living, and their choice to continue that way of living. Something, we only need to understand. Not explain, not pass judgement on, or even romanticise. It is a long ride, sitting next to Bruce as he tries the hallucinogenic iboga plant, as he eats rat-cake and drinks chai, as he is welcomed by all the tribe heads with kindness, as he tries to hunt crocodile, as he dances with everyone, as he rides a reindeer driven sledge, as he commits the odd and understandable faux-pas, and as he laughs with and listens to his new friends. A long and beautiful ride indeed.
The pictures in the book and the small captions alongside are like a sweet cup of desert after you finish the delicious and nutritious delicacy that is this book.
One man and his stay with fifteen tribes around the world spanning four years. Bruce Parry is a host to this show where he goes and spends time with an indigenous group for a month or so. The aim of the show is to understand cultures that are different from ours by having Bruce live with them, eat with them, sleep on the same mats and drink their sometimes sweet sometimes sour delicacies. There is a lot of research and field work involved before Bruce can actually go there. The team normally includes is a local fixer, some translators, a director, a cameraman, and a researcher, and the host- Bruce. The films show the audience what actually goes on in the day to day lives of these tribal people who are massively misunderstood or ignored by the developed world. That bits and pieces of the modern world have reached them. The idea was really good and the series was a huge hit with the audience. This book is narrated by Bruce about his experiences as he lived with them. He speaks about his expectations, his apprehensions, the hiccups they faced in filming, the surprises, the relations he forms while understanding people who live differently than most of us but who are fundamentally like us. Humans.
The book was a hit for me. It is rich with information and anecdotes. You meet several people in this book, some from the cold, white, reindeer filled Russia, some from the lush Amazon, several from the deserts of Ethiopia, some from the mighty Himalayas, some from the paradise like Solomon islands. It is said that reading is like travelling without moving from your place. Well, this book takes you around the world, to the most beautiful of places, places you didn’t even know existed. Yes, these people live very differently, disconnected from our modern technology and civilization, but not to an extent that we always imagine. They have their own culture, their own beliefs, and way of living, and their choice to continue that way of living. Something, we only need to understand. Not explain, not pass judgement on, or even romanticise. It is a long ride, sitting next to Bruce as he tries the hallucinogenic iboga plant, as he eats rat-cake and drinks chai, as he is welcomed by all the tribe heads with kindness, as he tries to hunt crocodile, as he dances with everyone, as he rides a reindeer driven sledge, as he commits the odd and understandable faux-pas, and as he laughs with and listens to his new friends. A long and beautiful ride indeed.
The pictures in the book and the small captions alongside are like a sweet cup of desert after you finish the delicious and nutritious delicacy that is this book.
June 19, 2016
Essentially the series in written form. Lacks depth and creativity. To anyone who actually adventures or enjoys anthropology: I would not bother reading this.
December 9, 2021
I found this in the local charity shop for £2. Just had to have it , I remember watching the BBC series of the same name. Super interesting look at the ways of life of the last remaining remote tribes of the planet. Bruce gets really stuck in, even joining in with celebrations / rituals/ worship involving the taking of hallucigenic potions. Never a dull moment or boring.
Great book. Enjoyable and educational.
Great book. Enjoyable and educational.
January 11, 2008
Hey Cass, you'll love this book based on a ex royal marine called Bruce Parry and a small camera crew that visits some of the remotest tribes in the world, the documentary films Bruce as he is allowed to first live with a tribe, and live amongst each community for a few months. Its fascinating, in one tribe he visits a tribe in new guniea, and lives with 3 men in a house built into the canopy of the forest.
One of the men after a while takes a liking to Bruce and decides to cuddle up to him as they all sleep in the treehouse at night...he even hears his fellow tribester play with himself near to Bruce..Bruce tells his readers that the BBC doesn't pay him half as much to deal with these situations!!
Joking aside, its an amazing insight into many different indigenous peoples lives.
One of the men after a while takes a liking to Bruce and decides to cuddle up to him as they all sleep in the treehouse at night...he even hears his fellow tribester play with himself near to Bruce..Bruce tells his readers that the BBC doesn't pay him half as much to deal with these situations!!
Joking aside, its an amazing insight into many different indigenous peoples lives.
August 2, 2019
A great series of vignettes examining different lifestyles, beliefs and experiences of sine of the world’s still less connected peoples.
Combining Parry’s total commitment to each project, with his pithy observations and sheer enjoyment of the various tasks he undertakes, makes this a thoroughly enjoyable read and I will try to track down the TV Series as I am sure this too will be hugely entertaining.
He writes fluently and well and by bringing in his support team into each visit, you get a great insight into not only the different worlds as they connect, but also the planning and detail that go into making a TV program.
A great read and insight into many disappearing worlds.
Combining Parry’s total commitment to each project, with his pithy observations and sheer enjoyment of the various tasks he undertakes, makes this a thoroughly enjoyable read and I will try to track down the TV Series as I am sure this too will be hugely entertaining.
He writes fluently and well and by bringing in his support team into each visit, you get a great insight into not only the different worlds as they connect, but also the planning and detail that go into making a TV program.
A great read and insight into many disappearing worlds.
Read
February 7, 2020(Book source: family personal library)
February 24, 2011
I pre-ordered this book in eager anticipation of the full stories of the tribes in glorious depth and thick detail, my appetite whetted by the excellent television series which I followed on tv from episode one of series one. However, having read it, it becomes abundantly clear that this book is an accessory and accompaniment to the series, not a detailed stand alone from which the series derived. It covers the main events of the episodes, but not in as much detail as the programmes, and omits mention of a couple of occurrences altogether. On the other hand, the book reveals much more about how the programmes were arranged and prepared, what went on behind the scenes, and his own personal opinion about issues which he was unable to provide on the series for the sake of providing an objective view. I do however wish that each chapter had been longer and Parry had explored the difficult issues in greater depth. In its favour, the book is chock full of glossy glorious photos of the exotic peoples and locations. There are also one or two surprises about the people Parry encounters that are most definitely not included in the television show!
You couldn't really classify the book as great literature, but then that's not the purpose of the book. Rather, its purpose is to provide us with a pacy, behind-the-scenes series of anecdotes about the television programme and insights that Parry gained from making the show, complete with lavish photography throughout. A great gift for fans of the series, but won't make much sense if you haven't seen the tv programme.
You couldn't really classify the book as great literature, but then that's not the purpose of the book. Rather, its purpose is to provide us with a pacy, behind-the-scenes series of anecdotes about the television programme and insights that Parry gained from making the show, complete with lavish photography throughout. A great gift for fans of the series, but won't make much sense if you haven't seen the tv programme.
December 20, 2008
I love Bruce Parry and was finally able to watch all three seasons of Tribe thanks to it being a UK show available on DVD. The book was interesting and did fill in some of the gaps between what was shown on the show and what was left on the cutting room floor, though it didn't go as in depth as I would have liked.
July 2, 2012
Fantastic read! A roller coaster ride from your sofa of many ways of being in the world and many ways of seeing the world. I loved this book and am now on the look out for the documentary series that the book was written to accompany!
June 22, 2016
Can never get enough of Bruce.
A solid and open minded explorer that digs deep into finding truth with the way others touch this planet. Humbled and open spirit.
The only down side is it makes be wish I could explore with him!
A solid and open minded explorer that digs deep into finding truth with the way others touch this planet. Humbled and open spirit.
The only down side is it makes be wish I could explore with him!
May 21, 2013
Another book I wanted to like, but didn't. The series was great and the book not so great!
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews