Anthropologists in the Public Sphere: Speaking Out on War, Peace, and American Power - Softcover

Roberto J. Gonzalez

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0292701691 ISBN 13: 9780292701694

Publisher: University of Texas Press, 2004

Synopsis

Anthropologists have a long tradition of prescient diagnoses of world events. Possessing a knowledge of culture, society, and history not always shared by the media's talking heads, anthropologists have played a crucial role in educating the general reader on the public debates from World War I to the second Gulf War.

This anthology collects over fifty commentaries by noted anthropologists such as Margaret Mead, Franz Boas, and Marshall Sahlins who seek to understand and explain the profound repercussions of U.S. involvement in the Middle East, Asia, Africa, and Latin America. Frequently drawing on their own fieldwork, the anthropologists go beyond the headlines to draw connections between indigenous cultures, corporate globalization, and contemporary political and economic crises. Venues range from the op-ed pages of internationally renowned newspapers such as the New York Times and the Washington Post to magazine articles and television interviews. Special sections entitled "Prelude to September 11" and "Anthropological Interpretations of September 11" include articles that provided many Americans with their first substantial introduction to the history of Islam, Central Asia, and the Middle East. Each article includes a brief introduction contextualizing the commentary.

About this title

About the Author:

ROBERTO J. GONZÁLEZ is Assistant Professor of Anthropology at San Jose State University.

Review:

"This book demonstrates that anthropologists have a great deal to contribute to political debate, and that the public spirit of anthropology may be rekindling." (Mark Pedelty, Associate Professor, University of Minnesota, Twin Cities)

About this edition

• Publisher: University of Texas Press
• Publication date: 2004
• ISBN 10: 0292701691
• ISBN 13: 9780292701694
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 304