Anthropology and Egalitarianism

Eric Gable teaches anthropology at the University of Mary Washington. He is author (with Richard Handler) of The New History in an Old Museum: Creating the Past at Colonial Williamsburg.

"Contributing interestingly to what has become a fairly unusual anthropological genre, Gable (Univ. of Mary Washington) draws on the diversity of fieldwork experience that comes only with time and maturity in the discipline to produce a volume that seeks to explain anthropological knowledge and understandings for not just other anthropologists, but anyone interested in how one can attempt to understand other cultures and people. Any given anthropologist will probably find something here to disagree with, but the value of the overarching project—opening up ways of working and thinking about human diversity for a broader audience—overrides such quibbles. Fieldwork in West Africa, Indonesia, and Virginia forms the foundation, and theoretical approaches including those of Clifford Geertz and Marshall Sahlins (and their critics) form the framework for this clear, accessible discussion. Because of the intended audience, Gable does not include citations throughout the text, but instead provides a set of notes on sources to suggest further readings. . . Summing Up: Recommended. All levels/libraries. —Choice"—F. W. Gleach, Cornell University"Overall, this book is a success and a useful text for ethnographers of all types. Its self-reflective nature should make any researcher think deeply on her or his own process, and the accessibility of the writing makes it useful for classrooms of all levels. . . . Gable's writing is always pleasant and at times beautifully eloquent."—journal of Folklore Research"Among the most eloquent and deeply reflexive works I have read in some time. . . . Accessible, conversational, and at times disarmingly colloquial, it is precisely the kind of work that should be taught at the undergraduate level."—Liam D. Murphy, co-author of A History of Anthropological Theory"A major work of scholarship, with the potential to become a classic work of anthropology that will be read and debated for years to come."—Paul Stoller, author of The Power of the Between: An Anthropological Odyssey

• Preface and AcknowledgmentsIntroduction: Culture by Contrast and Theory in Anthropology1. Supping with Savages 2. Standing in a Line3. Jefferson's Ardor4. The Colonialist's Dress Code5. Taking Pictures in the Field, or the Anthropologist's Dress Code6. Beyond Belief7. The Sex Life of SavagesConclusion: Tending to Nature, Tending to Culture, or Is Anthropology History?Notes on SourcesReferencesIndex