Anthropology, Ecology, and Anarchism

by Brian Morris

Over the course of a long career, Brian Morris has created an impressive body of engaging and insightful writings—from social anthropology and ethnography to politics, history, and philosophy—that is accessible to the layperson without sacrificing analytical rigor. But until now, the essays collected here, originally published in obscure journals and political magazines, have been largely unavailable to the broad readership to which they are so naturally suited. The opposite of arcane, specialized writing, Morris’s work takes an interdisciplinary approach that offers connections between various scholarly interests and anarchist politics and thought. There is a long history of anarchist writers drawing upon works in a range of fields, and Morris’s essays both explore past connections and suggest ways that broad currents of anarchist thought will have new and ever-emerging relevance for anthropology and many other ways of understanding social relationships.

Genres: Anthropology, Politics, Ecology, Philosophy, Nonfiction, Nature

289 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 1, 2014

Reviews

[Michael Clevenger · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an OUTSTANDING collection of essays gathered from obscure journals from Dr. Brian Morris, professor emeritus of anthropology at Goldsmiths College, London.

It is an excellent introduction to various strains of anarchism, particularly the political philosophy of Murray Bookchin and Peter Kropotkin, although he covers many other strains. While academic and broad in scope, each essay is only 10-12 pages. Really surprised there are no reviews for this text. Will be passing it along to folks.

[Miguel Vian · Rating 3 out of 5]

El interés de los artículos es bastante irregular, y hay muchos temas que se repiten demasiado entre ellos. Habría sido más razonable hacer una revisión conjunta de toda la colección para ofrecer un libro, en conjunto, más interesante. Es el último ensayo, en el que el autor recuerda su experiencia etnográfica entre los Malai Pandaram y su estado de anarquía, el que tiene más interés, con mucha diferencia.

[Jemma Z · Rating 4 out of 5]

At times I found Morris’s style tedious and his idolization of early anarchists too uncritical to be taken at face value, but the four stars is for his examination of the intellectual legacy of anarchism and the anarchist movement. This book is a great survey and provides a jumping off point for further inquiry.

[Jun Ogata · Rating 3 out of 5]

There's good information here, but I just didn't enjoy reading any of it. Basically... I was bored. Some essays are interesting, some aren't. You can fill a text with a bunch of solid info and discussion, but that sadly doesn't automatically make it compelling. I'll probably still use this book as a resource from time to time.

[Suryashekhar Biswas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brian Morris doesn't shy away from the anarchist credentials that he's forever advocated for even while he provides academically rigorous (yet easily fathomable) studies.

[Omace · Rating 5 out of 5]

Decent book if a bit too polemical when it comes to criticism of postmodernism