Foreign Bodies: Oceania and the Science of Race 1750–1940

by Bronwen Douglas (eds), Chris Ballard

From the 18th century, Oceania became the principal laboratory of raciology for scholars, voyagers, and colonizers alike. By juxtaposing encounters and theory, this magisterial book explores the semantics of human difference in all its emotional, intellectual, religious, and practical dimensions. The argument developed is subtle, engrossing, and gives the paradigm of 'race' its full use value. Foreign Bodies is a model of analysis and erudition from which historians of science and everyone interested in intercultural relations will greatly profit.

372 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 2008

Reviews

[Shuhui Shen]

This most primitive continent plays a key role in the forging of modern British anthropology