John Forrest – författare

Traditional quilts serve many purposes over the course of a useful life. Beginning as a beautiful bed covering, a quilt may later function as a ground cover at picnics until years of wear relegate it to someone's ragbag for scrap uses.Observing this life cycle led authors John Forrest and Deborah Blincoe to the idea that quilts, like living things, have a natural history that can be studied scientifically. They explore that natural history through an examination of the taxonomy, morphology, behavior, and ecology of quilts in their native environment-the homes of humans who make, use, keep, and bestow them.The taxonomy proposed by Forrest and Blincoe is rooted in the mechanics of replicating quilts so that it can be used to understand evolutionary and genetic relationships between quilt types. The morphology section anatomizes normal and abnormal physical features of quilts, while the section on conception and birth in the life cycle discusses how the underlying processes of replication intersect with environmental factors to produce tangible objects.This methodology is applicable to many kinds of crafts and will be of wide interest to students of folklore, anthropology, and art history. Case studies of traditional quilts and their makers in the Catskills and Appalachia add a warm, human dimension to the book.

Morris dancing, one of the more peculiar of the English folk customs, has been greatly misunderstood. In The History of Morris Dancing, 1458-1750 John Forrest analyses a wealth of evidence to show that Morris dancing does not, as is often assumed, have pagan or ancient origins. He examines early documentation to draw Morris traditions into the wide area of communal custom and public celebrations, showing the passage of dance ideas between groups previously considered folklorically distinct.Careful, detailed and encyclopaedic, The History of Morris Dancing, 1458-1750, is an essential reference work for specialists in English drama and social historians of the period, as well as offering fascinating insight for those who enjoy Morris dancing.

Lord I'm Coming Home focuses on a small, white, rural fishing community on the southern reaches of the Great Dismal Swamp in North Carolina. By means of a new kind of anthropological fieldwork, John Forrest seeks to document the entire aesthetic experience of a group of people, showing the aesthetic to be an "everyday experience and not some rarefied and pure behavior reserved for an artistic elite."The opening chapter of the book is a vivid fictional narrative of a typical day in "Tidewater," presented from the perspective of one fisherman. In the following two chapters the author sets forth the philosophical and anthropological foundations of his book, paying particular attention to problems of defining "aesthetic," to methodological concerns, and to the natural landscape of his field site. Reviewing his own experience as both participant and observer, he then describes in scrupulous detail the aesthetic forms in four areas of Tidewater life: home, work, church, and leisure. People use these forms, Forrest shows, to establish personal and group identities, facilitate certain kinds of interactions while inhibiting others, and cue appropriate behavior. His concluding chapter deals with the different life cycles of men and women, insider-outsider relations, secular and sacred domains, the image and metaphor of "home," and the essential role that aesthetics plays in these spheres. The first ethnography to evoke the full aesthetic life of a community, Lord I'm Coming Home will be important reading not only for anthropologists but also for scholars and students in the fields of American studies, art, folklore, and sociology.

John Forrest (1847-1918), was an Australian surveyor and explorer. At twenty-two, he led an expedition to determine the fate of Ludwig Leichardt, who had earlier disappeared in the western desert. The following year he surveyed the coastal route from Perth to Adelaide, establishing the possibility of a telegraph line. In 1874, he crossed the central western desert, a two-thousand mile journey which confirmed his heroic reputation. He received the founder's medal of the Royal Geographical Society in London and was appointed Deputy Surveyor-General. His account of these expeditions, published in 1875, is based on his diaries, with extracts from official letters and the newspapers that covered the events. Forrest became Premier of Western Australia, held several positions under the subsequent federal government, and was the first native-born Australian to be recommended for a barony. This book thus illuminates the political history of Australia and that of its geographical exploration.

A must-read guide to conducting qualitative field research in the social sciencesDoing Field Projects: Methods and Practice for Social and Anthropological Research delivers a thorough and insightful introduction to qualitative field methods in the social sciences. Ideal for undergraduate students just starting out in fields like anthropology, sociology, and related subjects, the book offers readers twenty instructive projects. Each project is well-suited as a standalone exercise, or several may be combined as a series of field work assignments.From interview techniques to participant observation, kinship analysis, spatial mapping, photo and video documentation, and auto-ethnography, Doing Field Projects covers each critical area of qualitative fieldwork students are likely to encounter. Every project also contains discussions of how to execute the research, avoid common problems and mistakes, and present the uncovered data in several different formats.This important resource also offers students: A thorough introduction to fieldwork, including the history of fieldwork methods, the shift from colonial to post-colonial anthropology, and discussion of fieldwork vs. ethnographyComprehensive explorations of getting started with fieldwork, including necessary equipment, research design, data presentation, and journal keepingPractical discussions of the ethics of fieldwork, including the "Do No Harm" principle, institutional approval, openness, and anonymityIn-depth examinations of autoethnography, proxemics, mapping, recorded interviews, participant observation, and engaged anthropologyThe opportunity to conduct a complete fieldwork course using digital and online resources onlySupporting learning material for each chapter, including a brief outline of Learning Goals and a paragraph summarizing the contentsDoing Field Projects: Methods and Practice for Social and Anthropological Research is the perfect guide for undergraduate students taking courses and programs in which qualitative field methods are central to the field, like anthropology and sociology.

Combines anthropology’s four subfields to explore what it means to be human Introduction to Holistic Anthropology invites students to rediscover anthropology as Franz Boas once envisioned it — a unified discipline that integrates biological, historical, linguistic, and cultural perspectives to understand human diversity and commonality. In contrast to the fragmented state of the field today, where sub-disciplines often operate in isolation, this innovative textbook emphasizes a holistic approach that encourages readers to see the connections between different aspects of human life. John Forrest and Badger Forrest-Blincoe confront the challenge of making sense of anthropology’s “post-everything” landscape by shifting the focus from what anthropology is not to what it can be: a rigorous, integrative inquiry into the many dimensions of human existence. Drawing on decades of combined teaching and research experience across six continents, the authors explore anthropology’s enduring questions about human nature, cultural variation, and the interplay of biology and learning. This book challenges students to consider how anthropologists build knowledge, where disagreements arise, and how the very foundations of the discipline can be contested and conceptualized. Offering an accessible yet comprehensive framework that prompts learners to think across disciplinary boundaries, Introduction to Holistic Anthropology: Addresses the fragmentation of the discipline and offers strategies for reconnecting its branchesDraws on fieldwork and teaching experience spanning six continentsFrames key questions in clear and engaging language for those new to the subjectFosters analytical thinking and respectful debate Highlights anthropology’s relevance to contemporary global issues and intercultural understandingSupports interdisciplinary thinking that connects anthropology to other fields of studyIntroduction to Holistic Anthropology is designed for undergraduate students in introductory anthropology courses, particularly at the first- and second-year level. Suitable for degrees in anthropology, sociology, history, and global studies, it provides a solid foundation for understanding human cultures and diversity.

Lord I'm Coming Home focuses on a small, white, rural fishing community on the southern reaches of the Great Dismal Swamp in North Carolina. By means of a new kind of anthropological fieldwork, John Forrest seeks to document the entire aesthetic experience of a group of people, showing the aesthetic to be an "everyday experience and not some rarefied and pure behavior reserved for an artistic elite."The opening chapter of the book is a vivid fictional narrative of a typical day in "Tidewater," presented from the perspective of one fisherman. In the following two chapters the author sets forth the philosophical and anthropological foundations of his book, paying particular attention to problems of defining "aesthetic," to methodological concerns, and to the natural landscape of his field site. Reviewing his own experience as both participant and observer, he then describes in scrupulous detail the aesthetic forms in four areas of Tidewater life: home, work, church, and leisure. People use these forms, Forrest shows, to establish personal and group identities, facilitate certain kinds of interactions while inhibiting others, and cue appropriate behavior. His concluding chapter deals with the different life cycles of men and women, insider-outsider relations, secular and sacred domains, the image and metaphor of "home," and the essential role that aesthetics plays in these spheres. The first ethnography to evoke the full aesthetic life of a community, Lord I'm Coming Home will be important reading not only for anthropologists but also for scholars and students in the fields of American studies, art, folklore, and sociology.

Don't just see the sights-get to know the people.Peru's distinctive Spanish and indigenous cultures that first encountered each other five hundred years ago have progressively integrated. However, the ongoing process of mixing raises questions about the nature of Peruvian identity, and Peruvian society remains economically and culturally divided.Culture Smart! Peru introduces you to the changing realities of modern Peru. It describes contemporary values and attitudes, key customs and traditions, and reveals what people are like at home, in business, and in their social lives. Peruvians are outgoing, sociable, and laid-back; get to know them, and they will respond with warmth and generosity.Have a more meaningful and successful time abroad through a better understanding of the local culture. Chapters on values, attitudes, customs, and daily life will help you make the most of your visit, while tips on etiquette and communication will help you navigate unfamiliar situations and avoid faux pas.

Life histories are a class of oral data distinct from memoirs, autobiography, and conventional history in multiple ways. It is a way to lay out the felt experience of events in people’s everyday lives and not simply the statement of historical facts. As narrated pieces, life histories possess the unique voice of the individuals. Collecting data through life histories enables the interviewer-interviewee to develop a special bond that has the capacity to empower both in different ways. Subject Lessons examines the use of and value in using one’s life history as research within the social sciences.

Examining the origins of a wide variety of cultural conventions, including calendar customs, folklore, annual holidays, and ethnic identity, this work uses a critical lens to evaluate popular understanding. It suggests that common opinions in this realm are often misinterpreted and considers why this is the case. It also asks why people care about such questions: some, such as the origin of the universe, attract a great deal of attention, while others, such as the origins of particular words, are of more limited interest.

Genesis is unlike any other book in the Bible. Indeed, it is unlike any other book you are likely to come across. Most people will be aware of many of its stories, such as Adam and Eve, Noah’s Ark or the Garden of Eden, even without ever having read the actual tales. Their images reside in the collective consciousness of generations, appearing in countless works of poetry, art, song, literature, advertising and film. From scholarly commentaries to internet videos, from sermons to simple story books, there is a superabundance of all kinds of exegeses for all tastes.However, Genesis is also, arguably, the most contested battleground of the entire Bible. Whatever you say about Genesis, someone will disagree with you: especially if you put a cultural anthropologist and an evangelical Christian in the same room. Undaunted, John Forrest argues that there is much to be gained from a reading of Genesis that combines the depth of biblical scholarship, motivated by faith, with anthropology’s developed understanding of the cultural contexts of societies. Demonstrating this in his careful analyses, it turns out that the stories of Genesis are a great place to start when introducing students to anthropological themes as diverse as gender roles and sexuality; state powers and exile; the transition fromforaging to herding and agriculture; kinship, marriage systems and incest laws; and religion in society. His approach bridges old disciplinary divides and reveals Genesis, and the life lessons it contains, as a ‘cultural survival manual’ for an oppressed people in exile. Its fundamental strategy becomes clear: to grow strongand numerous in complete isolation from the taints and temptations of other cultures.