Ways of Walking: Ethnography and Practice on Foot

by Jo Lee Vergunst (Editor), Tim Ingold (Editor)

Despite its importance to how humans inhabit their environments, walking has rarely received the attention of ethnographers. Ways of Walking combines discussions of embodiment, place and materiality to address this significant and largely ignored 'technique of the body'. This book presents studies of walking in a range of regional and cultural contexts, exploring the diversity of walking behaviours and the variety of meanings these can embody. As an original collection of ethnographic work that is both coherent in design and imaginative in scope, this primarily anthropological book includes contributions from geographers, sociologists and specialists in education and architecture, offering insights into human movement, landscape and social life. With its interdisciplinary nature and truly international appeal, Ways of Walking will be of interest to scholars across a range of social sciences, as well as to policy makers on both local and national levels.

Genres: Anthropology, Walking, Nonfiction, Philosophy

218 pages, ebook

First published July 21, 2008

Reviews

[Tara Brabazon · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best book I have read this year. It is such a relief to find a book that is theoretically rigorous and empirically interesting. Every chapter demonstrates the benefit of theory shaping and contouring methods.

Walking is a behaviour. It is also a way of gaining knowledge. If scholars are interested in strategies to think about knowledge, society and social structures, then read this book.