The Power of the Between: An Anthropological Odyssey

by Paul Stoller

It is the anthropologist’s fate to always be between things: countries, languages, cultures, even realities. But rather than lament this, anthropologist Paul Stoller here celebrates the creative power of the between, showing how it can transform us, changing our conceptions of who we are, what we know, and how we live in the world.

Beginning with his early days with the Peace Corps in Africa and culminating with a recent bout with cancer, The Power of the Between is an evocative account of the circuitous path Stoller’s life has taken, offering a fascinating depiction of how a career is shaped over decades of reading and research. Stoller imparts his accumulated wisdom not through grandiose pronouncements but by drawing on his gift for storytelling. Tales of his apprenticeship to a sorcerer in Niger, his studies with Claude Lévi-Strauss in Paris, and his friendships with West African street vendors in New York City accompany philosophical reflections on love, memory, power, courage, health, and illness.

Graced with Stoller’s trademark humor and narrative elegance, The Power of the Between is both the story of a distinguished career and a profound meditation on coming to terms with the impermanence of all things.

Genres: Anthropology, Nonfiction

201 pages, Paperback

First published December 15, 2008

About the author

Paul Stoller is an anthropologist and novelist who teaches anthropology at West Chester University. He has conducted ethnographic research in the Republic of Niger in West Africa and among West African immigrants in New York City. His books, novels and memoirs are attempts to convey the wisdom of African systems of thought. He is currently doing research on family life among West African immigrants in New York City and is at work on a new novel, The Sorcerer's Burden and a new work of non-fiction, The Business of Social Relations: Global Resilience Among West Africans in the World. His most recent book, The Power of the Bertween: An Anthropological Odyssey was published in December 2008 by The University of Chicago Press. Paul has a new website, paulstoller.com which up and running.

Reviews

[Victoria · Rating 4 out of 5]

For an essay in my 4th year anthro course of my undergrad, a prof made us read "In Sorcery's Shadow," another of Paul Stoller's books. For some reason, I was immediately attracted to his intellect and writing style. I really appreciate the way he expresses his comings to understand the ways of other cultures and the revelations he makes during his ethnographic work. I find this to be also true about this book only now add some philosophical insight as if it were the cherry on top of a sundae. Stoller's work is really simply put and explained effortlessly, it does not aim to single out any particular audience, rather it inclusively invites outsiders to explore the world of anthropology.

[Ariele · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had to read this for Anthro 9, and while at times I was skeptical about it (considering the arguable ethnic voyeurism and vicariousness of the whole field, even, but maybe particularly for a white man who travels to Africa), I ended up quite liking it. Stoller tells a good story - actually, he tells multiple stories within this book, each of them at first almost a jarring break but then, the threads of continuity come creeping back in. I liked it. Also, he is very blunt about his lack of complete belonging, and does bring up the dynamics of his presence within these communities as a white outsider. I learned a lot I probably never would have otherwise, and I especially liked the look into what art really is, and how it is consumed and defined by many different groups of people. My biggest complaint would be that the editing was really not very good.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

Utilizing theory and story currently for my MA Dissertation