R. H. Barnes is a professor of anthropology at Oxford University, specializing in North American and Southeast Asian social anthropology. His publications include Sea Hunters of Indonesia: Fishers and Weavers of Lamalera. Raymond J. DeMallie is a professor of anthropology at Indiana University. His works include The Sixth Grandfather: Black Elk's Teachings Given to John G. Neihardt, available in a Bison Books edition.

"An important contribution to the anthropological literature of American Indian social systems."—American Indian Culture and Research Journal "A major contribution to kinship studies and one which will certainly lead many of us—including myself—to qualify their interpretations."—Claude Lévi-Strauss "A major contribution to the study of kinship, comparative ethnology, and the sociology of anthropological knowledge. The book deserves careful attention by anyone interested in the nature of anthropological inquiry."—Plains Anthropologist