Comments on: Public Anthropology by Biological Anthropologists

By: On Reaching a Broader Public: Five Ideas for Anthropologists « Neuroanthropology

Wed, 03 Mar 2010 14:28:30 +0000

[...] similar ability to illuminate human experience is apparent in recent public anthropology books by biological anthropologists. These authors center their books on specific facets of our lives, covering topics that range from [...]

By: dlende

dlende — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 13:36:26 +0000

Chris Kuzawa also suggested these books:

Erik Trinkaus (1994), The Neandertals: Of Skeletons, Scientists and Scandal
Alan Walkman and Pat Shipman (1997), The Wisdom of the Bones: In Search of Human Origins
Richard Potts (1997), Humanity’s Descent: The Consequences of Ecological Instability

By: Pat

Pat — Sat, 08 Aug 2009 16:13:09 +0000

Thank you for your time to put this information out.

I would like to add Elliot Liebow to the list, as I am currently reading (and enjoying – even though it’s already made me cry twice and I’m only 1/4 of the way into it) his 1993 book “Tell Them Who I Am”. Wow. He was told in 1984 that he had cancer so he retired at 58 years of age from an anthopological government job of many years and started spending time as a volunteer helper for the homeless.

He also wrote “Talley’s Corner”, which is next on my list.

By: dlende

dlende — Sun, 26 Jul 2009 19:05:30 +0000

Zinjanthropus, thanks for mentioning Sapolsky. He’s definitely a great writer and overlaps a lot with biological anthropology. In fact, I am developing another list that will cover other scientists and journalists who’ve written some good books in the public bio anthro domain. And Sapolsky would be right there at the top of the list!

I probably won’t get to that list soon, so people, please feel free to mention books you like. But for me, this particular post was about showing bio anthro in action.

By: zinjanthropus

zinjanthropus — Sat, 25 Jul 2009 22:16:44 +0000

Can I add to your list anything by Robert Sapolsky? His research into stress and neuroendocrinology is fascinating, and he is a very engaging writer. My favorite is A Primate’s Memoir, but Why Zebras Don’t Get Ulcers and Monkeyluv probably fit better into the “Public Anthropology” genre.
http://www.amazon.com/Why-Zebras-Dont-Ulcers-Third/dp/0805073698/ref=ntt_at_ep_dpi_1
http://www.amazon.com/Monkeyluv-Other-Essays-Lives-Animals/dp/0743260163/ref=ntt_at_ep_dpi_3