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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 90%
Culture obeys a hidden logic as strict as grammar. The linguistic method that reveals it.
by Claude Lévi-Strauss 1958
3.93
2k+ 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 89%
What hunter-gatherers knew about raising children, avoiding danger, and ending feuds we forgot.
by Jared Diamond 2012
3.78
11k+ 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 89%
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
The Origin of the Family, Private Property and the State
by Friedrich Engels • 1884
Monogamy, patriarchy, and the state are not natural; they are recent, economic inventions.
4.14
8k+
The Origin of the Family, Private Property and the State Summary
The Origin of the Family, Private Property and the State 88%
Monogamy, patriarchy, and the state are not natural; they are recent, economic inventions.
by Friedrich Engels 1884
4.14
8k+ ratings
Trust and Market Institutions in Africa
by Kingsley Obi Omeihe • 2023
Why Africa's entrepreneurs lean on chiefs, imams, and cousins instead of contracts.
Trust and Market Institutions in Africa Summary
Trust and Market Institutions in Africa 88%
Why Africa's entrepreneurs lean on chiefs, imams, and cousins instead of contracts.
by Kingsley Obi Omeihe 2023
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 88%
How a medieval church's war on cousin marriage made the West individualistic, analytical, and rich.
by Joseph Henrich 2020
4.13
4k+ 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 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
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 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
Social Theory and Social Structure
by Robert K. Merton • 1949
Why false beliefs become real, rules outlast their purpose, and satisfaction is always relative.
4.23
124
Social Theory and Social Structure Summary
Social Theory and Social Structure 88%
Why false beliefs become real, rules outlast their purpose, and satisfaction is always relative.
by Robert K. Merton 1949
4.23
124 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
The Sociology of Georg Simmel
by George Simmel • 1964
Why a secret, a stranger, and a two-person group reveal more about society than any institution.
3.90
73
The Sociology of Georg Simmel Summary
The Sociology of Georg Simmel 88%
Why a secret, a stranger, and a two-person group reveal more about society than any institution.
by George Simmel 1964
3.90
73 ratings
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 88%
Cow worship, pork bans, witch hunts: each solved a practical problem no one admitted existed.
by Marvin Harris 1974
3.92
5k+ 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
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
The Great Disruption
by Francis Fukuyama • 1999
The knowledge economy dissolved trust and cooperation. Our biology has a fix.
3.62
353
The Great Disruption Summary
The Great Disruption 88%
The knowledge economy dissolved trust and cooperation. Our biology has a fix.
by Francis Fukuyama 1999
3.62
353 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. 88%
A Pacific ceremonial shell ring reveals an economy driven by honor, not self-interest.
by Bronisław Malinowski 1922
3.76
1k+ ratings
Together
by Richard Sennett • 2011
The rituals and crafts that make cooperation possible are being dissolved by short-term capitalism.
3.81
469
Together Summary
Together 88%
The rituals and crafts that make cooperation possible are being dissolved by short-term capitalism.
by Richard Sennett 2011
3.81
469 ratings
Doing It All
by Ruby Russell • 2024
The nuclear family was built for capitalism, not kids. Single mothers are exposing a better way.
4.24
17
Doing It All Summary
Doing It All 88%
The nuclear family was built for capitalism, not kids. Single mothers are exposing a better way.
by Ruby Russell 2024
4.24
17 ratings
Blueprint
by Nicholas A. Christakis • 2019
Goodness is our default setting. Evolution built us for love, friendship, and cooperation.
3.95
2k+
Blueprint Summary
Blueprint 87%
Goodness is our default setting. Evolution built us for love, friendship, and cooperation.
by Nicholas A. Christakis 2019
3.95
2k+ 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 87%
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 Other Significant Others
by Rhaina Cohen • 2024
Two friends share a mortgage, a child, a life. Everyone asks if they're a couple.
3.93
5k+
The Other Significant Others Summary
The Other Significant Others 87%
Two friends share a mortgage, a child, a life. Everyone asks if they're a couple.
by Rhaina Cohen 2024
3.93
5k+ ratings
The Functions of Social Conflict
by Lewis A. Coser • 1956
Conflict builds the groups it seems to threaten. Without it, societies don't heal; they shatter.
3.99
84
The Functions of Social Conflict Summary
The Functions of Social Conflict 87%
Conflict builds the groups it seems to threaten. Without it, societies don't heal; they shatter.
by Lewis A. Coser 1956
3.99
84 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 87%
Agriculture made us sicker, more unequal, and less free. The hunter-gatherer way holds the clues.
by Christopher Ryan 2018
4.12
5k+ ratings
Social Identity
by Richard Jenkins • 1996
Your identity is shaped more by institutions than by introspection.
3.71
131
Social Identity Summary
Social Identity 87%
Your identity is shaped more by institutions than by introspection.
by Richard Jenkins 1996
3.71
131 ratings
Durable Inequality
by Charles Tilly • 1998
Inequality's engine is organizational: categories let institutions extract, hoard, and reproduce.
4.03
114
Durable Inequality Summary
Durable Inequality 87%
Inequality's engine is organizational: categories let institutions extract, hoard, and reproduce.
by Charles Tilly 1998
4.03
114 ratings
Respect in a World of Inequality
by Richard Sennett • 2003
Invisibility is inequality's deepest cut; the systems meant to heal it often cut deeper.
3.69
244
Respect in a World of Inequality Summary
Respect in a World of Inequality 87%
Invisibility is inequality's deepest cut; the systems meant to heal it often cut deeper.
by Richard Sennett 2003
3.69
244 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 87%
Perpetrators of violence usually believe their actions are justified. A unified theory of why.
by Alan Page Fiske 2014
3.90
77 ratings
The Social Construction of Reality
by Peter L. Berger • 1966
The world you take for granted is built: how everyday talk, habit, and institutions make reality.
4.11
4k+
The Social Construction of Reality Summary
The Social Construction of Reality 87%
The world you take for granted is built: how everyday talk, habit, and institutions make reality.
by Peter L. Berger 1966
4.11
4k+ ratings
The Elementary Forms of Religious Life
by Émile Durkheim • 1912
A totem is a clan's flag, and its god is just the group personified.
3.93
4k+
The Elementary Forms of Religious Life Summary
The Elementary Forms of Religious Life 87%
A totem is a clan's flag, and its god is just the group personified.
by Émile Durkheim 1912
3.93
4k+ 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
Sociobiology
by Edward O. Wilson • 1975
Every society, from ant to human, is a gene-spreading machine; the logic is identical.
4.23
2k+
Sociobiology Summary
Sociobiology 87%
Every society, from ant to human, is a gene-spreading machine; the logic is identical.
by Edward O. Wilson 1975
4.23
2k+ ratings
The Sociology Book
by Sam Atkinson • 2015
From Marx to Foucault: the ideas that reveal why power, class, and culture run your life.
4.02
1k+
The Sociology Book Summary
The Sociology Book 87%
From Marx to Foucault: the ideas that reveal why power, class, and culture run your life.
by Sam Atkinson 2015
4.02
1k+ ratings
The Nurture Assumption
by Judith Rich Harris • 1998
Parents shape children far less than we believe. Peers, not parents, build adult personality.
4.14
2k+
The Nurture Assumption Summary
The Nurture Assumption 87%
Parents shape children far less than we believe. Peers, not parents, build adult personality.
by Judith Rich Harris 1998
4.14
2k+ ratings
Tribe
by Sebastian Junger • 2016
The paradox of belonging: why modern comfort leaves us empty, and shared hardship makes us whole.
4.02
50k+
Tribe Summary
Tribe 87%
The paradox of belonging: why modern comfort leaves us empty, and shared hardship makes us whole.
by Sebastian Junger 2016
4.02
50k+ ratings
The Moral Basis of a Backward Society
by Edward C. Banfield • 1958
Why some societies stay poor: a moral code that stops at the family doorstep.
3.84
245
The Moral Basis of a Backward Society Summary
The Moral Basis of a Backward Society 87%
Why some societies stay poor: a moral code that stops at the family doorstep.
by Edward C. Banfield 1958
3.84
245 ratings
The Outsourced Self
by Arlie Russell Hochschild • 2012
The village is gone. Strangers find partners, raise children, tell us what to want.
3.66
337
The Outsourced Self Summary
The Outsourced Self 87%
The village is gone. Strangers find partners, raise children, tell us what to want.
by Arlie Russell Hochschild 2012
3.66
337 ratings
Why Nothing Works
by Marvin Harris • 1981
An anthropologist finds that broken toasters, inflation, and cults share a single cause.
3.76
264
Why Nothing Works Summary
Why Nothing Works 87%
An anthropologist finds that broken toasters, inflation, and cults share a single cause.
by Marvin Harris 1981
3.76
264 ratings
The Invisible History of the Human Race
by Christine Kenneally • 2014
Human history is written in DNA: migrations, crashes, and secrets we are only starting to read.
3.81
2k+
The Invisible History of the Human Race Summary
The Invisible History of the Human Race 87%
Human history is written in DNA: migrations, crashes, and secrets we are only starting to read.
by Christine Kenneally 2014
3.81
2k+ ratings
A Pelican Introduction
by Mike Savage • 2015
Three hidden currencies now define British class, and only one appears on a payslip.
4.06
546
A Pelican Introduction Summary
A Pelican Introduction 87%
Three hidden currencies now define British class, and only one appears on a payslip.
by Mike Savage 2015
4.06
546 ratings
Sand Talk
by Tyson Yunkaporta • 2019
Linear time and reductionist logic got us into this mess. An Indigenous framework shows the way out.
4.35
5k+
Sand Talk Summary
Sand Talk 87%
Linear time and reductionist logic got us into this mess. An Indigenous framework shows the way out.
by Tyson Yunkaporta 2019
4.35
5k+ ratings
Hunt, Gather, Parent
by Michaeleen Doucleff • 2021
Toddlers want to help, not be entertained. Ancient parenting wisdom the West forgot.
4.14
34k+
Hunt, Gather, Parent Summary
Hunt, Gather, Parent 87%
Toddlers want to help, not be entertained. Ancient parenting wisdom the West forgot.
by Michaeleen Doucleff 2021
4.14
34k+ ratings
Four Sociological Traditions
by Randall Collins • 1994
Four rival lenses on all of social life: power, exchange, ritual, and the socially constructed self.
3.86
152
Four Sociological Traditions Summary
Four Sociological Traditions 87%
Four rival lenses on all of social life: power, exchange, ritual, and the socially constructed self.
by Randall Collins 1994
3.86
152 ratings
Why We Love
by Anna Machin • 2022
Love is a survival system, not a feeling. Romantic love is its rarest and strangest form.
3.72
205
Why We Love Summary
Why We Love 87%
Love is a survival system, not a feeling. Romantic love is its rarest and strangest form.
by Anna Machin 2022
3.72
205 ratings
Born to Rebel
by Frank J. Sulloway • 1996
Firstborns guard the status quo; laterborns upend it. The pattern holds from nursery to revolution.
3.73
324
Born to Rebel Summary
Born to Rebel 87%
Firstborns guard the status quo; laterborns upend it. The pattern holds from nursery to revolution.
by Frank J. Sulloway 1996
3.73
324 ratings
Individualism and Commitment in American Life
by Robert N. Bellah • 1989
America built its democracy on shared moral traditions. Then it built a culture that erased them.
4.13
15
Individualism and Commitment in American Life Summary
Individualism and Commitment in American Life 87%
America built its democracy on shared moral traditions. Then it built a culture that erased them.
by Robert N. Bellah 1989
4.13
15 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
The Pursuit of Loneliness
by Philip Slater • 1970
America chose self-reliance. It got loneliness, and the hidden need for others is turning to rage.
4.08
287
The Pursuit of Loneliness Summary
The Pursuit of Loneliness 87%
America chose self-reliance. It got loneliness, and the hidden need for others is turning to rage.
by Philip Slater 1970
4.08
287 ratings
Stone Age Economics
by Marshall Sahlins • 1974
Hunters and gatherers worked a few hours daily and wanted little. Scarcity is a modern invention.
3.92
535
Stone Age Economics Summary
Stone Age Economics 87%
Hunters and gatherers worked a few hours daily and wanted little. Scarcity is a modern invention.
by Marshall Sahlins 1974
3.92
535 ratings
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