The Little Book of Anthropology

by Rasha Barrage

If you’re intrigued by the question “What makes us human?”, strap in for this whirlwind tour of the highlights of anthropology.

From the first steps of our prehistoric ancestors, to the development of complex languages, to the intricacies of religions and cultures across the world, diverse factors have shaped the human species as we know it. Anthropology strives to untangle this fascinating web of history to work out who we were in the past, what that means for human beings today and who we might be tomorrow.

Genres: Nonfiction, Anthropology

145 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 14, 2023

Reviews

[Miss Syreena · Rating 4 out of 5]

Helpful introduction to the field or a refresher if it’s been a while. I love reading nonfiction books about society and culture, and this book provider a quick foundation.

[Marisa Mastropieri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ask me anything about anthropology I took notes

[Ciara Donohue · Rating 4 out of 5]

As someone who has studied Cultural Anthropology, this was a great, brief refresher of the discipline

[Keira Mc · Rating 3 out of 5]

Exactly as advertised. It was a short and easily digestible look into a lot of the basics of the subject. Works well for a brief overview but doesn't go in depth very much

[Lucy Bichakhchyan · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is possible to give a "Little Book" 5 stars, but my GoodReads puritans will criticize me for giving 5 stars away easily.

1. 2022 edition, so includes Covid, tech innovations and other contemporary subjects that from first sight don't seem "anthropological" until this book puts it into context.
2. Doesn't take sides, just a statement of facts. If you don't like making your own mind about things, don't expect too much learning out of this.
3. The cited content is pure gold. I'd highly recommend reading "The Selfish Gene" by Dawkins.
4. If you just want a refresher on some human concepts you have lost touch with, it's a beautiful addition to your coffee table.
5. I got it for 60% off at a Barnes and Noble move out sale, so truly I could give it 5 stars, but being scrutinized for my radical ideas sounds horrifying.

[Carlos · Rating 1 out of 5]

It really is hard to imagine who was the target audience for this book. Barrage goes far too far in the direction of assuming the reader has never come across any wisps of knowledge as to what anthropology entails. Throughout the, mercifully, small volume nothing feels new or informative but rather obvious and a waste of the reader’s time. The reader will walk away “learning” little more than that anthropology seeks to study human societies and that these are influenced by religion and family/tribal dynamics.

[عبد الله القصير · Rating 3 out of 5]

مقدمة مختصرة عن علم الأنثروبولوجيا، جيد لمن يريد معرفة مبادئ هذا العلم مثل حالتي.

[RJ · Rating 1 out of 5]

Horrible, do not waste your time.

[Fatma · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good summary to anthropology

[Irma Dalg · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good for the beginners

[Kadir · Rating 2 out of 5]

Antropolojiyle ilgili tastamam okuduğum ilk kitap. Daha önce Georges Balandier’in Siyasal Antropoloji kitabına başlayıp yarım bırakmıştım. “Bir Solukta Antropoloji” ise neden bana antropoloji okumamam gerektiğini öğretti. Anladığım kadarıyla antropoloji; istisnalardan kaide oluşturmaya çalışan bir alan. Samoa Adası’ndaki az sayıda insanın ya da Afrika’nın bilmem neresindeki kabilelerin garip kültürlerini referans verilince oradaki olağandışı durum, olağanlaşmıyor. En azından benim şahsi düşüncem bu. Ben kitabı okurken, ait olduğum kültüre uzak olan gelenekleri internetten araştırdım ve bunları gördüm. Bilgi olarak tuhaf ve garip konular ama kitabın nihayetinde bir çağrısı var o da kültürel çeşitliliği kabul etmek üzerine kurulu. Hatta bunun da ötesinde insan hayvan eşitliğini de telkin ediyor. İnsan ister yaratılmış, ister evrilmiş, isterse evrilerek yaratılmış olsun. Tanrı vergisi ya da zorlu bir evrimleşmenin mahsulü olan bu zekayı, fast food’da atıştırdığım tavukla bir tutamam.
Onun dışında kitap, oldukça kısa, dili akıcı ve anlaşılır.