Degree in a Book: Anthropology

by Julia Morris

Study the diverse cultures of the world and the common threads of humanity in this wonderfully visual guide to anthropology, covering everything you would find on a degree course.

A Degree in a Book: Anthropology dives deep into the study of human culture and societies. Discover the impact of language on understanding, how different societies approach family and kinship and how different cultures are studied, as well as how anthropology is used in our everyday lives - applied anthropology.

This accessible landscape-format guide is perfect for students and laypeople alike, featuring full-color infographics, flow charts, diagrams summary sections and ideas for further reading. Including theories from Herodotus to Malinowski and Durkeim to de Waal, it covers all the major strands of anthropology that are studied today.

Subjects covered include:
• Fieldwork and Ethnography
• Biological Anthropology
• Language and Cognition
• Gifting and Economic Systems
• Exchange and Consumption
• Globalization and Transnationalism

ABOUT THE SERIES: Get the knowledge of a degree for the price of a book in Arcturus Publishing's A Degree in a Book series. Featuring handy timelines, information boxes, feature spreads and margin annotations, these landscape-format books are perfect for anyone wishing to master seemingly complex subject with ease and enjoyment.

Genres: Anthropology, Nonfiction, Education, Science, History

256 pages, Paperback

Published November 15, 2021

Reviews

[8stitches 9lives · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Degree in a Book: Anthropology is a book that takes you on a journey as to the how and where of anthropological research. It covers all the major concepts that have defined the discipline and merges early advancements in the field with contemporary studies. Although the emphasis is on anthropology throughout Europe and the United States, it does offer global insight into the topic, too. Happily, it draws on some of the most underappreciated and underrepresented scholars, those of colour, female anthropologists and researchers in what became known as the global south. Focusing mainly on the way the discipline was institutionalised in the 19th century into an academic area of study, the book does also acknowledge those who played early pioneering roles in studying and documenting cultural differences and diversity around the world. It unpacks what anthropology actually is before introducing the different frameworks anthropologists use to comprehensively understand human cultures.

While the focus is primarily on social and cultural anthropology as the largest fields within the subject, it does touch upon biological anthropology and archaeological and linguistic anthropology and how they interact to provide different lenses with which to view and explain questions on human variety and unity. By the end of the book, you will have much more of an understanding of what it means to be human and the use of introductions to key figures in the field and their influence over their respective areas, highlighted definitions crucial to understanding the topic and diagrams and images to help you to grasp arguably some of the more complex concepts, it has multiple ways to learn the information. A fascinating, sprawling and excellent introduction to anthropological concepts but also a great refresher for those who are perhaps a little rusty. Accessible, informative and readable and set out in digestible chunks, this is a solid and engaging guide. Highly recommended.

[Stephen · Rating 4 out of 5]

For those interested in the history of anthropology, the development of its thought, and the areas of most salient interest today, A Degree in a Book: Anthropology recommends itself. It is far more thorough than other books aimed at the layman, like Anthropology for Dummies:: following a general history of the field, the book addresses particularly salient areas of study within anthropology in turn. Each section stresses key concepts and contributors within the field, and the book itself is visually attractive, and never tedious — provided, of course, one is interested in the subject. Even for the non-enthusiast, however, Anthropology is extremely useful, given its careful breakdowns of the subjects and highlighting of those key concepts; a student anxious about reviewing the fundamentals would find this a welcome resource.

[Kevin Marsden · Rating 1 out of 5]

Socialist Manifesto

Light on science but heavily biased against Western Civilization. The book provides elementary definitions but clearly intends to indoctrinate a junior high level audience with the ideology of victimhood.

[Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was like an old memory. Well that is because it seems that in uni I did social-cultural anthropology and I did not know. It was called cultural studies so I did not really know... I am quite silly. This book presents really basic and general ideas... I expected it to be like DK books, but it was a bit more general. I cannot say that I am dissapointed, I am not. My favorite part was about neo-colonalism and migration, really put me into my place and realised that things are not quite like they seem. Thank you for educating me once again, for things I should have known from uni. I knew them, believed them, but then came those years of Jordan Peterson.. um... yeah... I was a problematic young adult.

[MookNana · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was very compelling reading! I found myself intending to read a chapter and then looking up and realizing it had been an hour. It's a perfect balance of in-depth, well-sourced information presented in manageable bites. I felt so much smarter when I was done!

The inserts, infographics, vocabulary lists, and mini-biographies make facts accessible and easy to put in context. I really hope this is a series as I'd love to see the same treatment with different subjects.

Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review!

[Brandon Westlake · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really thought this was a great insightful book. There was a great balance of theory and scholarship, alongside applied examples. I've never taken anthropology but I feel that I know a bit about it now. Easily organized chapters present some specific research projects and excellent suggestions for further reading. I thought this would be a "Dummies" book, something 90s-ish. This is a lot better and readable than a reference book like that. Really looking forward to this series expanding

[Carmen]

Thank you to NetGalley for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I would have loved this as an introductory anthropology book when I was in college. Opening with George Floyd's murder and the aftermath shows how this updated book is greatly needed.

[KR · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty self-congratulatory in tone (“We’ve solved anthropology! It’s not problematic any more!”), and incredibly basic (the title and marketing gimmick of this series is wildly misleading), but I did learn a few things.

And I got a good chuckle out of glancing at other reviews and seeing all the people that are shocked, shocked at the notion that perhaps human anthropology shouldn’t be carried out as if there’s a clear line of development between “uncivilized” and “civilized,” with western European culture at the more “advanced” end of the linear trajectory. “Must be liberal propaganda.” Hah.

[Karen H · Rating 1 out of 5]

Should have read the sample

When a book starts out like this did with a very political rant I KNOW I should not go there. I was expecting a book on ANTHROPOLOGY. I got a book on racism. I can hear about racism any and everytime I turn on tv news. I don't need to waste money and time on this. I want my $7 back. Didn't even make it through 1 page. There can only be something better on anthropology. Will be permanently deleting this travesty of a book as soon as my review is posted.

[Paul Cooney · Rating 1 out of 5]

The book, to an extent, describes reality in terms of oppression and victimhood.
Interestingly, Marx described history in like terms. In his ideology, the economically successful were the oppressors (not to mention the kulaks).
The beginning of this book focused heavily on western society through a dynamic of oppressor - oppressed, victim - victimiser.
Some people like reading this kind of literature. I, do not. Thankfully, kindle gives you the option of seeking a refund.

[Rosendo Gonzalez · Rating 1 out of 5]

It clearly shows a Liberal writer.

I will not get another book from this writer. It's clearly trying to deliver a liberal message on the topic that touches specifically a particular race. Anthropology
should be more educational experience and not to be a platform for liberal activities.

[George Polansky · Rating 4 out of 5]

An awakening for anyone who believes anthropology is a science. This book affirms all the biases of the left. It picks what supports its theories and ignores the rest.

[Becky · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was very basic, felt as though this is at kids level of information and I was expecting a bit more in-depth or atleast more geared towards an adult reader

[Ana · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a free eARC from the author/publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This was a fascinating look at the study of anthropology for a general audience. It was easy to understand, and well organised, progressing logically from one point to the next. It looks at the history of anthropology as a science, tracing major developments from its earliest roots to the present. It also looks at major theories in anthropological studies, and provides real world examples/case studies. These are not limited to Western theories, but also include theories by people of colour, and feminist scholars. While focusing primarily on social and cultural anthropology, it also delves into biological anthropology, linguistic anthropology, and archaeological anthropology.

An absolutely brilliant read. I'd recommend for anyone interested in dipping their toes into anthropology for the first time.

[Heidi · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good introduction to the subject that makes me want to learn more about anthropology. I especially liked the parts about biological anthropology and linguistics. However, sometimes it tried too hard to be woke- to the point that it came across as a guilt trip.