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"The purpose of anthropology is to make the world safe for human differences." -Ruth Benedict

If you’re thinking about taking up anthropology at a university degree level, or you’re simply curious about the discipline, it can feel quite intimidating to figure out where to start; there's just so much reading material!

So, without further ado, the purpose of this article is to help anthropology learners to filter their search and make their reading, time count. Let's primarily analyse, what is anthropology, and then, the top ten best books that everyone who loves the subject should spend their time reading.

What is Anthropology?

figuring things out
Anthropology attempts to understand how cultures and traditions developed over time. (Source: Unsplash)

Anthropology is a vast subject. Encompassing elements of other disciplines in its methodologies and analyses, anthropology is defined as the comprehensive study of humans, their societies, and their cultures and how they have developed through time.

Anthropology serves the purpose of coming to terms with the hard-hitting facts about us as humans and why we've done certain things throughout the scheme of time. 

Since anthropology is such a diverse subject, it's worth stating that there are branches or subdisciplines to explore such as the following:

  • Biological Anthropology, 
  • Linguistic Anthropology, 
  • Cultural Anthropology.

As a result of the different types of anthropology that can be examined and learned more about, there are thousands of books and journals available to read. So, keep reading the following subheadings to find out more!

What are the 10 Best Anthropology Books to Start Reading?

Living in the age of information, it's easy to get overwhelmed by all the possibilities available out there. So, how can you know what to read and study as a new anthropology student? By trusting the opinions and advice of more experienced ones in the field you desire to study.

Without further delay, we'll analyse the top ten book suggestions from an anthropology graduate. The books mentioned in today's article are available electronically or physically, the choice is yours. Let's get started!

Debt: The First 5000 Years by David Graeber

Graeber's book on debt is a must-read for anyone, whether you’re interested in anthropology or not. I’m not going to summarise the gist of the book here since I strongly believe that once you start reading it, the content will speak for itself. Graeber’s writing is witty, sharp, and momentously riveting, and if you want to change the way you view our society, its history and how debt shapes both our lived experiences and the world we live in – this book is for you.

Available for purchase online or perhaps at your local bookshop.

Purity and Danger: An Analysis of Concepts of Pollution and Taboo by Mary Douglas

One of the single most important works in anthropology, and a particularly valuable read if you intend to, or are currently, studying anthropology. Douglas’s book analyses the concept of what is considered ‘dirt’ as matter out of place. Mary Douglas spearheads the idea that what is considered ‘dirty’ and ‘polluting’ is relative to social and cultural contexts.

learning at schools
Some of the anthropology books reviewed in this article are examined during class time. (Source: Unsplash)

Do Muslim Women Need Saving? by Lila Abu-Lughod

Abu-Lughod is widely regarded as one of the most popular and acclaimed anthropologists. Her work has single-handedly inspired many to study anthropology. Her texts on Muslim women and the veil, which deconstruct racist myths and stereotypes about Muslims that have been used to justify the War on Terror, are written with compassion, urgency and wit. Lila Abu Lughod's moving and insightful ideas motivated some to study and analyse the stereotypes associated with the Islamic faith.

Since Do Muslim Women Need Saving? is a recent release, a pdf copy of this book couldn't be found; however, it's possible to locate a tangible copy for purchase online.

Crazy Like Us: The Globalisation of the Western Mind by Ethan Watters

This book details the Americanisation of mental illness, and its effects on non-Western individuals whose conceptions of illness, well-being and self-care are being homogenised. Ethan Waters reviews the globalisation of western models of mental health categories to see what can be perceived and better understood.

Some past readers of this book claimed that they couldn't put it down.

Discipline and Punish by Michel Foucault

Closely related to anthropology is social sciences and Michel Foucault's Discipline and Punish is another must-read for anyone in the social sciences. Foucault’s works are important in understanding how the state functions about who it rules over. His works will make you completely rethink how you conceptualise governance, power and surveillance; truly riveting stuff!

linguistic anthropology
A major branch of anthropology is Linguistic Anthropology which studies the history and impact of languages on social groups. (Source: Unsplash)

Anthropology and the Colonial Encounter by Talal Asad

“We have been reminded time and again by anthropologists of the ideas and ideals of the Enlightenment in which the intellectual inspiration of anthropology is supposed to lie. But anthropology is also rooted in an unequal power encounter between the West and the Third World, which goes back to the emergence of bourgeois Europe, an encounter in which colonialism is merely one historical moment. It is this encounter that gives the West access to cultural and historical information about the societies it has progressively dominated, and thus not only generates a certain kind of universal understanding but also reinforces the inequalities in capacity between the European and the non-European worlds (and derivatively, between the Europeanized elites and the ‘traditional’ masses in the Third World) . . .”

These are the deep words from the introduction of the Anthropology and the Colonial Encounter book by Talal Asad. This book is considered a must-read by many experts in the domain.

Imagined Communities: Reflections on the Origin and Spread of Nationalism by Benedict Anderson

An important book for understanding Anderson’s concept of the ‘imagined community’, which postulates the existence of imagined communities that exist as social constructs through the collective imagination of those who perceive themselves as part of those communities.

This book has found particular popularity and relevance in the areas of the nation-state, nationalism, religion and the formation of ideologies.

Beyond Culture by Edward T. Hall

Not only discussing the relevance and importance of culture but Beyond Culture is also from the renowned and acclaimed anthropologist Edward Hall. This book is a proud celebration of human capacities.

Why is this book a worthwhile read? Well, for too many years, it's been a common fact that people have taken their ways for granted and have failed to realize that the world around them is vast and budding with culture and community. Beyond Culture asks humans to unite and show appreciation for differences rather than tear them down.

How to Read Ethnography by Huon Wardle and Paloma Gay y Blasco

This supremely helpful guide to interpreting ethnography is a must for students of anthropology. Written by two experts in their field, How to Read Ethnography assists students to cultivate the abilities they will require to examine and understand how ethnographies are built.

Also, this book does well to encourage readers to think anthropologically and develop an anthropological imagination of their own. How to Read Ethnography should be at the top of your list!

The Gift: Forms and Functions of Exchange in Archaic Societies by Marcel Mauss

I had to include Mauss’ The Gift in this list because it is one of the fundamental anthropological and sociological texts on gift-giving and reciprocity, which later inspired much of Levi-Strauss’s work, particularly in the conceptualisation of structural anthropology.

There you have it, the top ten books that cover topics of anthropology. We highly recommend reading these books before starting your course in anthropology. As a way of conclusion, it's worth stating that anthropology doesn't have to be an overwhelming subject when there are so many helpful resources. Happy reading!

 

 

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Brentyn

Avid movie-goer, reader, skier and language learner. Passionate about life, food and travelling.