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Cows, Pigs, Wars, and Witches
by Marvin Harris • 1974
Cow worship, pork bans, witch hunts: each solved a practical problem no one admitted existed.
3.92
5k+
Cows, Pigs, Wars, and Witches Summary
Cows, Pigs, Wars, and Witches 89%
Cow worship, pork bans, witch hunts: each solved a practical problem no one admitted existed.
by Marvin Harris 1974
3.92
5k+ ratings
Nation Building
by Andreas Wimmer • 2018
Ethnic diversity doesn't predict state failure. A missing centralized state centuries ago does.
4.08
36
Nation Building Summary
Nation Building 89%
Ethnic diversity doesn't predict state failure. A missing centralized state centuries ago does.
by Andreas Wimmer 2018
4.08
36 ratings
The Weirdest People in the World
by Joseph Henrich • 2020
How a medieval church's war on cousin marriage made the West individualistic, analytical, and rich.
4.13
4k+
The Weirdest People in the World Summary
The Weirdest People in the World 89%
How a medieval church's war on cousin marriage made the West individualistic, analytical, and rich.
by Joseph Henrich 2020
4.13
4k+ ratings
How the World Thinks
by Julian Baggini • 2018
The West asks what is true. India asks what liberates. A map of philosophy beyond Europe.
3.67
3k+
How the World Thinks Summary
How the World Thinks 89%
The West asks what is true. India asks what liberates. A map of philosophy beyond Europe.
by Julian Baggini 2018
3.67
3k+ ratings
American Aloha
by Heather A. Diamond • 2008
A hula stage on the National Mall: how festivals manufacture tradition and erase a colonial past.
4.20
10
American Aloha Summary
American Aloha 89%
A hula stage on the National Mall: how festivals manufacture tradition and erase a colonial past.
by Heather A. Diamond 2008
4.20
10 ratings
The World Until Yesterday
by Jared Diamond • 2012
What hunter-gatherers knew about raising children, avoiding danger, and ending feuds we forgot.
3.78
11k+
The World Until Yesterday Summary
The World Until Yesterday 88%
What hunter-gatherers knew about raising children, avoiding danger, and ending feuds we forgot.
by Jared Diamond 2012
3.78
11k+ ratings
Structural Anthropology
by Claude Lévi-Strauss • 1958
Culture obeys a hidden logic as strict as grammar. The linguistic method that reveals it.
3.93
2k+
Structural Anthropology Summary
Structural Anthropology 88%
Culture obeys a hidden logic as strict as grammar. The linguistic method that reveals it.
by Claude Lévi-Strauss 1958
3.93
2k+ ratings
Religion in Human Evolution
by Robert N. Bellah • 2011
Before belief, play. The story from animal ritual to Axial sages who questioned every god.
3.97
451
Religion in Human Evolution Summary
Religion in Human Evolution 88%
Before belief, play. The story from animal ritual to Axial sages who questioned every god.
by Robert N. Bellah 2011
3.97
451 ratings
Predictable Results in Unpredictable Times
by Stephen R. Covey • 2009
The West built its politics on a mistake: that humans are naturally selfish animals.
3.72
186
Predictable Results in Unpredictable Times Summary
Predictable Results in Unpredictable Times 88%
The West built its politics on a mistake: that humans are naturally selfish animals.
by Stephen R. Covey 2009
3.72
186 ratings
The Forest People
by Colin M. Turnbull • 1961
The Mbuti have no chiefs, no crime, and no fear of the forest that feeds them.
3.96
3k+
The Forest People Summary
The Forest People 88%
The Mbuti have no chiefs, no crime, and no fear of the forest that feeds them.
by Colin M. Turnbull 1961
3.96
3k+ ratings
How Forests Think
by Eduardo Kohn • 2013
Thought lives in forests, jaguars, and signs. Anthropology has never known how to listen.
3.86
1k+
How Forests Think Summary
How Forests Think 88%
Thought lives in forests, jaguars, and signs. Anthropology has never known how to listen.
by Eduardo Kohn 2013
3.86
1k+ ratings
Civilized to Death
by Christopher Ryan • 2018
Agriculture made us sicker, more unequal, and less free. The hunter-gatherer way holds the clues.
4.12
5k+
Civilized to Death Summary
Civilized to Death 88%
Agriculture made us sicker, more unequal, and less free. The hunter-gatherer way holds the clues.
by Christopher Ryan 2018
4.12
5k+ ratings
The Origins of Political Order
by Francis Fukuyama • 2011
China built a modern state eighteen centuries before Europe. That gap reshapes political history.
4.18
10k+
The Origins of Political Order Summary
The Origins of Political Order 88%
China built a modern state eighteen centuries before Europe. That gap reshapes political history.
by Francis Fukuyama 2011
4.18
10k+ ratings
Virtuous Violence
by Alan Page Fiske • 2014
Perpetrators of violence usually believe their actions are justified. A unified theory of why.
3.90
77
Virtuous Violence Summary
Virtuous Violence 88%
Perpetrators of violence usually believe their actions are justified. A unified theory of why.
by Alan Page Fiske 2014
3.90
77 ratings
Indians and English
by Karen Ordahl Kupperman • 2000
Before conquest came curiosity: both sides studied each other as mutual puzzles.
3.85
114
Indians and English Summary
Indians and English 88%
Before conquest came curiosity: both sides studied each other as mutual puzzles.
by Karen Ordahl Kupperman 2000
3.85
114 ratings
Race and Racism
by Pierre L. van den Berghe • 1967
Two regimes of race relations: one intimate, one competitive. The economic logic behind the change.
4.07
15
Race and Racism Summary
Race and Racism 88%
Two regimes of race relations: one intimate, one competitive. The economic logic behind the change.
by Pierre L. van den Berghe 1967
4.07
15 ratings
Beyond Human Nature
by Jesse J. Prinz • 2011
Language, emotions, gender, and thought: how culture builds the mind that biology only primes.
3.69
246
Beyond Human Nature Summary
Beyond Human Nature 88%
Language, emotions, gender, and thought: how culture builds the mind that biology only primes.
by Jesse J. Prinz 2011
3.69
246 ratings
Qualitative Research Methods
by Sarah J. Tracy • 2012
From first interview to final write-up, the methods, ethics, and craft of research that matters.
3.94
69
Qualitative Research Methods Summary
Qualitative Research Methods 88%
From first interview to final write-up, the methods, ethics, and craft of research that matters.
by Sarah J. Tracy 2012
3.94
69 ratings
The Savage Mind
by Claude Lévi-Strauss • 1962
So-called primitive thought builds meaning like a handyman: from whatever pieces are at hand.
3.93
2k+
The Savage Mind Summary
The Savage Mind 88%
So-called primitive thought builds meaning like a handyman: from whatever pieces are at hand.
by Claude Lévi-Strauss 1962
3.93
2k+ ratings
The Decline and Rise of Democracy
by David Stasavage • 2020
Democracy did not begin in Athens. It emerges where the state is too weak to rule alone.
3.86
223
The Decline and Rise of Democracy Summary
The Decline and Rise of Democracy 88%
Democracy did not begin in Athens. It emerges where the state is too weak to rule alone.
by David Stasavage 2020
3.86
223 ratings
The Cosmic Serpent
by Jeremy Narby • 1998
A Stanford anthropologist argues Amazonian shamans see their own DNA as twin luminous serpents.
4.17
8k+
The Cosmic Serpent Summary
The Cosmic Serpent 88%
A Stanford anthropologist argues Amazonian shamans see their own DNA as twin luminous serpents.
by Jeremy Narby 1998
4.17
8k+ ratings
The Human Swarm
by Mark W. Moffett • 2019
Societies don't run on cooperation. They run on identity markers strangers can spot at a glance.
3.65
466
The Human Swarm Summary
The Human Swarm 88%
Societies don't run on cooperation. They run on identity markers strangers can spot at a glance.
by Mark W. Moffett 2019
3.65
466 ratings
Chief Culture Officer
by Grant McCracken • 2009
Your competitors treat culture like weather. One C-suite role can read it first.
3.76
254
Chief Culture Officer Summary
Chief Culture Officer 88%
Your competitors treat culture like weather. One C-suite role can read it first.
by Grant McCracken 2009
3.76
254 ratings
The Ethnic Phenomenon
by Pierre L. van den Berghe • 1981
Ethnic groups are extended families. The biology of nepotism powers prejudice and empire.
4.34
47
The Ethnic Phenomenon Summary
The Ethnic Phenomenon 88%
Ethnic groups are extended families. The biology of nepotism powers prejudice and empire.
by Pierre L. van den Berghe 1981
4.34
47 ratings
Ethnic Boundary Making
by Andreas Wimmer • 2012
Ethnic boundaries are built, not inherited. Who draws the lines, and how they get enforced.
3.55
22
Ethnic Boundary Making Summary
Ethnic Boundary Making 88%
Ethnic boundaries are built, not inherited. Who draws the lines, and how they get enforced.
by Andreas Wimmer 2012
3.55
22 ratings
That's Not English
by Erin Moore • 2015
British reserve and American enthusiasm hide in words that both countries assume they share.
3.67
858
That's Not English Summary
That's Not English 88%
British reserve and American enthusiasm hide in words that both countries assume they share.
by Erin Moore 2015
3.67
858 ratings
Cultural DNA
by Gurnek Bains • 2015
Ancient migrations carved eight mindsets. They still decide which global ventures succeed.
3.58
19
Cultural DNA Summary
Cultural DNA 88%
Ancient migrations carved eight mindsets. They still decide which global ventures succeed.
by Gurnek Bains 2015
3.58
19 ratings
Day of Empire
by Amy Chua • 2007
Dominating the world has always required one thing: taking in the talent everyone else rejects.
3.77
999
Day of Empire Summary
Day of Empire 88%
Dominating the world has always required one thing: taking in the talent everyone else rejects.
by Amy Chua 2007
3.77
999 ratings
In Sorcery's Shadow
by Paul Stoller • 1989
Birds defecate on an anthropologist in Niger. A sorcerer sees a sign and demands an apprenticeship.
3.98
312
In Sorcery's Shadow Summary
In Sorcery's Shadow 88%
Birds defecate on an anthropologist in Niger. A sorcerer sees a sign and demands an apprenticeship.
by Paul Stoller 1989
3.98
312 ratings
The Domestication of the Human Species
by Peter J. Wilson • 1988
Walls changed us more than wheat: how permanent shelter reshaped attention, privacy, and power.
3.75
12
The Domestication of the Human Species Summary
The Domestication of the Human Species 88%
Walls changed us more than wheat: how permanent shelter reshaped attention, privacy, and power.
by Peter J. Wilson 1988
3.75
12 ratings
Riding the Waves of Culture
by Fons Trompenaars • 1989
Culture turns global deals into minefields. The seven dimensions that reveal the traps.
3.84
434
Riding the Waves of Culture Summary
Riding the Waves of Culture 87%
Culture turns global deals into minefields. The seven dimensions that reveal the traps.
by Fons Trompenaars 1989
3.84
434 ratings
Case Studies And Theory Development In The Social Sciences
by Alexander L. George • 2005
A single case, properly analyzed, reveals what regressions miss: the causal mechanism.
3.81
176
Case Studies And Theory Development In The Social Sciences Summary
Case Studies And Theory Development In The Social Sciences 87%
A single case, properly analyzed, reveals what regressions miss: the causal mechanism.
by Alexander L. George 2005
3.81
176 ratings
The Sources of Social Power
by Michael Mann • 1986
Why do empires rise and fall? The answer isn't one force but four overlapping power networks.
4.32
158
The Sources of Social Power Summary
The Sources of Social Power 87%
Why do empires rise and fall? The answer isn't one force but four overlapping power networks.
by Michael Mann 1986
4.32
158 ratings
The Hero with a Thousand Faces
by Joseph Campbell • 1972
A scholar traced one story pattern through every myth on earth, and Hollywood never looked back.
4.12
46k+
The Hero with a Thousand Faces Summary
The Hero with a Thousand Faces 87%
A scholar traced one story pattern through every myth on earth, and Hollywood never looked back.
by Joseph Campbell 1972
4.12
46k+ ratings
Race, Monogamy, and Other Lies They Told You
by Agustín Fuentes • 2008
Three myths about human nature: race, aggression, sex. Science disproved them. Common sense hung on.
3.72
281
Race, Monogamy, and Other Lies They Told You Summary
Race, Monogamy, and Other Lies They Told You 87%
Three myths about human nature: race, aggression, sex. Science disproved them. Common sense hung on.
by Agustín Fuentes 2008
3.72
281 ratings
States and Power in Africa
by Jeffrey Herbst • 2000
Europe built states through war. Africa skipped that step, and its borders now protect failure.
3.99
269
States and Power in Africa Summary
States and Power in Africa 87%
Europe built states through war. Africa skipped that step, and its borders now protect failure.
by Jeffrey Herbst 2000
3.99
269 ratings
Sensemaking
by Christian Madsbjerg • 2017
Algorithms cannot read a room. The humanities, not more data, unlock what people actually mean.
3.67
680
Sensemaking Summary
Sensemaking 87%
Algorithms cannot read a room. The humanities, not more data, unlock what people actually mean.
by Christian Madsbjerg 2017
3.67
680 ratings
Nationalist Exclusion and Ethnic Conflict
by Andreas Wimmer • 1998
Citizenship, welfare, equality: modernity's promises were always reserved for ethnic insiders.
3.83
12
Nationalist Exclusion and Ethnic Conflict Summary
Nationalist Exclusion and Ethnic Conflict 87%
Citizenship, welfare, equality: modernity's promises were always reserved for ethnic insiders.
by Andreas Wimmer 1998
3.83
12 ratings
Wired for Culture
by Mark Pagel • 2012
Culture isn't a byproduct of big brains. It's the reason we have them.
3.86
296
Wired for Culture Summary
Wired for Culture 87%
Culture isn't a byproduct of big brains. It's the reason we have them.
by Mark Pagel 2012
3.86
296 ratings
Anthro-Vision
by Gillian Tett • 2021
Wall Street's models did not see 2008 coming. Anthropology did. Here is how.
4.01
1k+
Anthro-Vision Summary
Anthro-Vision 87%
Wall Street's models did not see 2008 coming. Anthropology did. Here is how.
by Gillian Tett 2021
4.01
1k+ ratings
Economies and Cultures
by Richard R. Wilk • 1996
The rational market actor is a myth: economic life runs on gifts, status, and cultural meaning.
3.79
114
Economies and Cultures Summary
Economies and Cultures 87%
The rational market actor is a myth: economic life runs on gifts, status, and cultural meaning.
by Richard R. Wilk 1996
3.79
114 ratings
Watching the English
by Kate Fox • 2004
The English have a secret code for weather, queues, and pubs. An anthropologist cracks it.
3.91
11k+
Watching the English Summary
Watching the English 87%
The English have a secret code for weather, queues, and pubs. An anthropologist cracks it.
by Kate Fox 2004
3.91
11k+ ratings
A History of the World in 100 Objects
by Neil MacGregor • 2010
The full sweep of human history, read not from texts but from 100 physical objects.
4.19
9k+
A History of the World in 100 Objects Summary
A History of the World in 100 Objects 87%
The full sweep of human history, read not from texts but from 100 physical objects.
by Neil MacGregor 2010
4.19
9k+ ratings
The Lessons of History
by Will Durant • 1968
What forty centuries of history reveal: cycles, geography's grip, and the unchanging human drives.
4.05
21k+
The Lessons of History Summary
The Lessons of History 87%
What forty centuries of history reveal: cycles, geography's grip, and the unchanging human drives.
by Will Durant 1968
4.05
21k+ ratings
The Geography of Thought
by Richard E. Nisbett • 2003
Westerners lock on objects; East Asians read the field: a divide rooted in ancient Greece and China.
3.82
4k+
The Geography of Thought Summary
The Geography of Thought 87%
Westerners lock on objects; East Asians read the field: a divide rooted in ancient Greece and China.
by Richard E. Nisbett 2003
3.82
4k+ ratings
Doing Rapid Qualitative Research
by Cecilia Vindrola-Padros • 2021
Fast enough for policy, deep enough for skeptics: qualitative methods that deliver both.
5.00
1
Doing Rapid Qualitative Research Summary
Doing Rapid Qualitative Research 87%
Fast enough for policy, deep enough for skeptics: qualitative methods that deliver both.
by Cecilia Vindrola-Padros 2021
5.00
1 ratings
A Short History of Myth
by Karen Armstrong • 2005
We traded myth for reason and got neither meaning nor a world we can bear.
3.69
7k+
A Short History of Myth Summary
A Short History of Myth 87%
We traded myth for reason and got neither meaning nor a world we can bear.
by Karen Armstrong 2005
3.69
7k+ ratings
The First New Nation
by Seymour Martin Lipset • 1963
Before the developing world could fail, America figured out how to make a new nation survive.
4.13
16
The First New Nation Summary
The First New Nation 87%
Before the developing world could fail, America figured out how to make a new nation survive.
by Seymour Martin Lipset 1963
4.13
16 ratings
Argonauts of the Western Pacific; An Account of Native Enterprise and Adventure in the Archipelagoes of Melanesian New Guinea.
by Bronisław Malinowski • 1922
A Pacific ceremonial shell ring reveals an economy driven by honor, not self-interest.
3.76
1k+
Argonauts of the Western Pacific; An Account of Native Enterprise and Adventure in the Archipelagoes of Melanesian New Guinea. Summary
Argonauts of the Western Pacific; An Account of Native Enterprise and Adventure in the Archipelagoes of Melanesian New Guinea. 87%
A Pacific ceremonial shell ring reveals an economy driven by honor, not self-interest.
by Bronisław Malinowski 1922
3.76
1k+ ratings
菊與刀
by Ruth Benedict • 1946
A hidden ledger of obligation explains why Japan is warrior and aesthete, rigid yet adaptable.
3.85
4k+
菊與刀 Summary
菊與刀 87%
A hidden ledger of obligation explains why Japan is warrior and aesthete, rigid yet adaptable.
by Ruth Benedict 1946
3.85
4k+ ratings
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